How to Make Funeral Arrangements: A Step-by-Step Guide

First, notify the appropriate parties and arrange transportation for your loved one from the place of death. If the death occurred at home under hospice care, call the hospice provider first. If the death was sudden or unexpected, call 911. In most other cases, your first call should be to a funeral home — they will take it from there and guide you through every step that follows. See our First Call guide for a full breakdown by situation.

Most states require families to bury or cremate a body within a certain timeframe — typically 24 to 72 hours — though refrigeration or embalming can extend that window. In practice, most families begin the arrangement process within 24 hours of death. Acting quickly is important, but you don’t need to finalize every detail before contacting a funeral home — they will guide you through the timeline.

Legally, the next of kin is typically responsible, generally in this order: spouse, adult children, parents, siblings, and then other relatives. If the deceased left a will, it may name a person they wished to handle arrangements, though this is not legally binding in most states. If there is no family or the family cannot be located, the responsibility may fall to the county or state.

Yes — and many families do. A funeral home can move quickly once contacted, and can arrange a simple graveside service or direct cremation within hours. If you need more time for the family to travel or to plan a more personalized service, most funeral homes can accommodate a delay of a few days with proper care of the deceased. The key is to make that first call to a funeral home as soon as possible. They will work with your timeline.

There are options available even when funds are limited. Depending on your situation, you may qualify for government assistance, veterans’ benefits, or support from nonprofit organizations. Direct cremation, which skips embalming, a viewing, and a formal funeral service, is often the most affordable option, with costs ranging from $700 to $2,000 in many areas, compared to $7,000 to $12,000 or more for a traditional funeral. Our guide to paying for a funeral outlines all of your options in detail.

Not always. It depends on the circumstances. If the person was under hospice care or had a terminal illness and their death was expected, you typically do not need to notify the police. If the death was sudden, unexpected, or the result of an accident, you are generally required to call 911. Your local laws and the specific circumstances will determine exactly who to call first. Visit our First Call page for guidance by situation.

Start by notifying the appropriate parties and contacting a funeral home to arrange transportation of your loved one. Beyond the immediate arrangements, one of the most important early steps is obtaining multiple certified copies of the death certificate, typically 8 to 12 copies. You will use these to settle insurance claims, close bank accounts, transfer property, and handle other legal and financial matters. See our Things To Do After the Funeral page for a full checklist.

The most important factor is your loved one’s expressed wishes. If they left instructions, follow them. Beyond that, key considerations include religious or cultural traditions, environmental preferences, and cost. Cremation generally costs significantly less than burial and gives families more flexibility in memorialization. Traditional burial provides a permanent physical place for family and friends to visit. There is no right or wrong answer. What matters is that the choice feels true to who your loved one was. Visit our cremation section to learn more.

Yes. While most states require a licensed funeral director to handle the body, you have considerable flexibility in how you plan the ceremony itself. Some families choose to work with a funeral celebrant — a trained professional who specializes in creating personalized, meaningful services independent of a funeral home. Some states also permit home funerals, which allow families to take a more hands-on role. See our page on home funerals and burials for more information.

No, and many families today choose not to. A memorial service held without the body present, a celebration of life, a graveside-only gathering, or no formal ceremony at all are all completely valid options. What matters most is that the tribute feels meaningful to the person being honored and to those who loved them. Our celebration of life guide offers practical planning advice and inspiration.

Start by thinking about what made your loved one unique. Consider their passions, their humor, their values, the way they made people feel. A meaningful service doesn’t have to follow a script. It might include music they loved, readings that reflect their outlook on life, personal tributes from family and friends, or a photo or video tribute. Our celebration of life guide offers detailed inspiration and step-by-step planning advice.