Funeral Planning Guide

Planning for end-of-life arrangements is a compassionate act that grants you and your loved one’s peace of mind. Our team of professionals has over 80 years of combined experience in the funeral planning industry. We share a common goal: to guide you through every step with empathy and expertise. Millions of people visit our website each year, and thousands have trusted the Wise Planning System for their funeral-planning needs. Whether you are pre-planning or arranging a funeral now, our free tools make the process simple and personalized. We have created a comprehensive library of up-to-date information to help you make responsible first steps toward designing a dignified farewell.

Our funeral planning pages provide clear, compassionate answers to common questions about arranging a funeral, planning a funeral in advance, and navigating the planning process. The list of links below highlight important pages of our website that have more details on specific areas that will be of interest to you. If you have a question that is not addressed on this page or in one of the links, please email us at support@funeralwise.com.

Funeral Planning: Your Complete Guide

We understand that funeral planning means different things to different people. That’s why we cover a full range of topics. If you want a do-it-yourself funeral planning system, visit our Funeral Planning System page. We recommend you visit our Funeral Arrangements page if you have an immediate need.

Funeral Planning How-to's and Advice

A step-by-step guide to funeral planning and information on funeral costs and more

Check Out Our Funeral Planning Guide

Plan Your Funeral Before You Need It

Any time is a good time for funeral planning... except at the time of the funeral.

Learn About Funeral Preplanning

Funeral Homes and Funeral Directors

Learn what to expect when working with a funeral home (aka, mortuary) and funeral director.

Learn About Funeral Homes

What is funeral planning?

Funeral planning is the process of making arrangements for a funeral or memorial service for yourself or to honor a deceased loved one. It involves making decisions about burial or cremation, the type of service (e.g., traditional, religious, or personalized), selecting the venue, casket or urn, music, readings, and other details. It also includes logistical aspects like budgeting, coordinating with funeral homes, and handling legal requirements such as death certificates or permits.

Why is funeral planning important?

The best time to plan a funeral is before you need it. Planning allows you to create a meaningful tribute that truly reflects the life, values, and wishes of the deceased while helping to provide closure and comfort to those grieving. Funeral planning reduces the stress for the family of the deceased and ensures that your wishes are met. It can also help you manage costs.

What are the key steps in planning a funeral?

The key steps to planning a funeral are to:
1) Decide how the body will be handled (interment).
2) Select the type of service (funeral, memorial service, etc.).
3) Calculate the cost and budget.
4) Share your plan with your family
5) Arrange financing.
6) Organize your paperwork and personal information.

For more information on planning a funeral, visit our “How to Plan a Funeral” page.

Should I plan my funeral in advance?

Yes! When you preplan, you give a very generous gift to your loved ones: the freedom to begin their path through grief without the added emotional and financial stress of trying to decide what you would have wanted.

How long does it take to plan a funeral?

The time it takes to plan a funeral varies depending on the type of funeral you have in mind. You will need to make a lot of decisions, and the complexity of the service will determine how many details you must arrange. If you are collaborating with others, it can take some time to come to an agreement on the details. In general, a straightforward traditional funeral with a viewing typically takes one to two weeks.

If you are planning well in advance, the availability of the funeral home you select will probably not be a factor. If the person has already passed, their schedule will affect the timing. You will also have to consider the travel arrangements for family coming from out of town. Another factor that can influence the timing is religious and cultural requirements. Some cultures require burial within 24 hours. Others include a multi-day ritual.

For more details on making funeral arrangements, visit our Arrangements page.

How much does a funeral cost?

According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the average cost of a traditional funeral with burial was $8,300 in 2023. For a funeral with cremation, the cost was $6,280. The exact price will depend on a lot of factors, such as the location, the type of service, and the funeral merchandise you select.

For more details on what a funeral costs, visit our page on funeral costs.

What’s the difference between a funeral, a memorial service, and a celebration of life?

A funeral is a service where the body is present. It will typically happen shortly after death.
A memorial service occurs without the body present. A memorial service can take place anytime.

Learn more about the elements of a funeral or memorial service.

A celebration of life is a more personal or informal event focused on honoring the person’s legacy. These days, many people choose to have a portion of the funeral include a celebration of life. In these cases, the formal structure of a funeral include elements that are more personalized.

More on Celebrations of Life.

How do I choose a funeral home or director?

When choosing a funeral home or funeral director, approach it the same way you would approach any significant purchase. First, you’ll want to research your options. You can do this online. It’s also a good idea to ask people you know for recommendations.

Once you have created a list of possible funeral homes, check reviews and confirm their credentials. Take tours and compare the services they offer. Request price lists. You want to find a company or funeral director you are comfortable with, so consider things like location, communication, and services.

For more information on funeral homes, funeral directors, and how to choose them, visit the Funeral Homes and Funeral Directors page.

Can I plan a funeral without using a funeral home?

In most states, a funeral director is required for certain services (like embalming or transport), but direct cremation and home funerals are legal in many areas. To confirm the regulations for your state, check with the funeral service commission in your state.

What’s the best way to pay for a funeral?

In the best of worlds, there is money set aside for this specific purpose. Even if there are funds available, it may not be enough, especially if the death is unexpected. But there are ways to make sure that you have sufficient resources to cover funeral and burial costs.

Several financial tools are available to help cover the cost of a funeral. These work best when you plan ahead. These include funeral/burial insurance, final expense insurance, pre-need funeral contracts, and funeral trusts.

Each of the financial tools listed above can be complex and justify further research. We suggest clicking on the links for each to learn more about them.

What can I do if there’s no money for a funeral?

Situations do arise where there simply isn’t any money available to pay for a funeral. What can you do?

1) Ask for help: Try asking friends and family members for help. If they can’t help, they may have ideas about how to raise the money.
2) Talk to the deceased’s employer: If the deceased was employed, the employer may offer a program to help families in situations such as this.
3) Talk to the county coroner: Many counties have programs to help with funerals. While the services you receive may be very basic, it may be a good alternative.
4) Fundraise: There are many ways to fundraise but one of the most popular and effective these days is to sponsor a crowdfunding campaign.
4) Request state assistance or federal assistance: Depending on where you live, your state may offer help paying for a funeral. There may also be federal programs you can take advantage of.
5) Donate the body to science: When a body is donated to science, it is cremated at no cost. It may be possible to receive the ashes after cremation, but that will depend on the program. Body donation programs almost always require that you make arrangements well in advance of death.

This page was created as a collaborative effort of the members of the Funeralwise team. For more information about the expert contributors to this page, visit our About Us page.

What Our Customers Say

We use TrustPilot to keep track of what the people who visit our site and buy from our store think about the service they receive. We invite you to visit our TrustPilot profile page to learn more about what the Funeralwise community has to say.

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Why trust Funeralwise for Funeral Planning?

Funeralwise is an independent, unbiased resource specializing in do-it-yourself funeral planning for people seeking affordability with dignity. We have been active since 2008 and are proud to be the largest provider of funeral-related information on the web. Visit our About Us page for more details about us and why we can be your trusted advisor when it comes to all things related to funerals. We never give, loan, or share personal information with third parties. So, you don’t need to worry; your information is safe with us. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

Expert Contributors to our Funeral Planning Pages

To learn more about the full authority and expertise of Funeralwise, visit our About Us page. The Wise Guys who contributed to this page include Rick Paskin, Jennifer Lane, Molly Gorny. If you have any questions about our experience, how we can help you plan for what comes next, or about our editorial team, please email us at support@funeralwise.com.