Checklist for Planning:

Funeral/Memorial Service

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           Discuss with all involved their ideas about a service that is personal and provides meaning and support. Items such as where the service will be held, when and who will be involved, what will be said and done to commemorate the life, and whether to have at time of fellowship prior to or following the service should be addressed.

 

           Verify with the clergy or other leaders the date, time, and place of memorial service before the funeral home notifies the newspapers.

 

           Contact others who will be participating and confirm their availability. Some possible contacts will be musicians, the church office, friends, and/or family participants.

 

           If burial of the cremated remains is the final disposition, contact the cemetery 24 hours prior to your arrival. Most cemeteries require payment of their fee prior to the interment and may have documents for you to complete.

 

           Contact all florists, if flowers are desired and arrange for delivery time and place. The church hostess must be notified of the name of the florist, the time of delivery of the flowers, and the family's wishes for the disposition of the flowers following the service.

 

           Arrange for a guest register book, memorial folders and/or prayer cards, if desired. For bulletins, the leader of the service and the church staff may assist you in developing the service order and printing it in handout format.

 

           Collect memorial items or photos, that are appropriate for the visitation/reception. Arrange for tables, stands, and easels to on which to display these items.

 

           Collect honoraria for the participants in the memorial service.

 

           You may want to provide the funeral home with the phone number for a family member who has voice mail or cell phone. The funeral home can refer calls about services, etc. to this number.

 

           Several hours in advance of the service, parking areas for the family should be identified and reserved.

 

           If the memorial service is in a public place, provide a minimum of two individuals to assist with seating of guests, plus others who may assist in parking of vehicles.

 

           A representative from the family should arrive at the location of the service at least one hour prior to the service to: (1) receive and arrange flowers on stands, tables, floor, etc. (2) reserve seating for the family.

 

           Have someone available who is knowledgeable about the location of restrooms, water fountains, and exits in case of emergency.

 

           If it is raining, you may wish to appoint people to bring large umbrellas to assist people from their cars to the building.

 

           Someone should have a cell phone to summon medical assistance in case of emergency.

 

           Have someone stationed near the entrance to encourage those attending to sign the register book. If a register book has not been purchased, you may want to have some type of stationary, so people can note their attendance.

 

           Display boards, tables for showing photographs, reserved seating signs, umbrellas, parking signs, register stands, easels, memorial tables, and flower stands are not provided by most churches or public facilities. You should have in mind how these things will be substituted.

 

           At the conclusion of the service an invitation may be extended for those in attendance to join the reception.

 

           All honoraria should be distributed to participants who might include clergy, musicians, sextons, church custodians, sound technicians, church hostess, fellowship coordinators, etc.

 

           If you are traveling to a cemetery for the committal service, it will be necessary for someone to organize automobiles in an orderly fashion to provide for a smooth, safe flow.

 

           Following the service it will be necessary for someone to remain to care for flowers, register book, and general “pick up” of the facility. Most churches expect the sanctuary to be restored to the condition it was in prior to the service.

 

           You may want floral pieces to be delivered to places of special meaning, such as the family residence, nursing home or cemetery. Someone should be designated to take care of this detail.

 

           You will need to return all items rented or borrowed for use during the service.

 

           Appropriate acknowledgement should be made to participants and others who supported through food, memorial gifts, flowers, etc.