Planning for the loss of a loved one, or even planning your own funeral can be an extremely sensitive and delicate topic. However, it can relieve an enormous amount of stress with some pre-planning. If you keep documentation on hand with the necessary information that will be asked when you begin funeral arrangements, you and your loved ones will have peace of mind at a very challenging time.
Here is a list of suggestions you should keep handy at a minimum.
Point of contact information
- Names, addresses, phone numbers, emails, relationship to the deceased
Names
- Deceased full name and maiden name
- Spouse's full name and maiden name
- Full name of parents, and mother's maiden name
- Full names of children and other immediate family members
- Name of preferred funeral home
- Name of Clergy
Dates
- Birth dates
- Marriage dates
- Military enlistment and discharge dates
- Retirement dates
Addresses
- Cities or towns of the deceased and immediate family members
Numbers
- Deceased social security number
- Phone number of preferred funeral home
- Clergy phone number
Work history
Education history
Military
- Branch of Service
- Place where discharge files are located
- Conflicts and tours participated in
Religious affiliations
- Religious denomination
- Place of worship
- Specific ritual requests
Other considerations:
- Budget
- Viewing for friends and family
- Place of Visitation
- Clothing and jewelry choices
- Type of Burial: cremation, mausoleum, traditional, sea-burial, other non-traditional
- Music and flower preference
- Casket bearers
- Memorials and charities
When you are ready to move forward with a pre-planned funeral, or need to begin arrangements for a lost loved one, the R.W. Baker & Company Funeral Home and Crematory is here for you. We have a convenient online form to get you started, or you can download and print the document if you prefer. Perhaps online isn't for you, so please call us at 757-539-4691 and we would be happy to speak with you.