Funeral Flowers & Funeral Arrangements

Funeral Flowers & Memorial Gifts

When you are faced with planning a funeral, try to take it one step at a time. Call on a good friend or family member that may be able to help you make the following arrangements.

Places You’ll Need to Notify:

• Coroner
• Doctor
• Funeral Home or Place of Worship

The Role of the Funeral Home:

• The funeral home staff will help you coordinate many of the final arrangements.
• They will help you coordinate the arrangements with the memorial park or cemetery.
• They will also help you prepare the Social Security Form and see that the deceased Social Security number is retired as well as assist you in deciding the number of death certificates you will need. Be sure that they order them for you, so that you know that it’s been taken care of.
• Funeral Homes have the ability to cover many of the details you will be faced with. Ask about what funeral services you can expect from them and the costs. If you need to seek out other bids for certain arrangements. Feel free to do so.
• Pallbearers
• Time and Place for Visitation
• Time and Place for Funeral
• Addresses, emails or phone numbers of all people who must be notified
• Start on arrangements for any out-of-town visitors
• Final Funeral Arrangements that need to be ordered and finalized:
• Casket,  Vault or Outer Container
• Clothing Selection
• Flowers and Memorials
• Music Selections
• Visitor Sign In Book and Pen
• Thank You Cards

Once you know what you can expect you will need to contact:

1. Clergy
2. Relatives
3. Close Friends
4. Additional transportation or hotel accommodations.
5. Decide on Pallbearers
6. Contact the Insurance Agent(s) of your loved one
7. Locate the will and notify lawyer and executor. Have the Attorney, Executor or appointed Trustee of the estate contact banks and investment brokers –
8. Contact Unions, Associations and Fraternal Organizations that the deceased may have been involved with.
9. Select music and establish who will hire the Organists, Vocalist or both.
10. Don’t forget to check to see if there is a will that states the final wishes of your loved one. Example: Specific cemetery, clergy, funeral service, etc.If the deceased own cemetery property, contact the cemetery.
11. Contact Post Office to forward mail to designated person.
12. Gather all  life and casualty insurance along with other death benefits, social security, fraternal organizations, military and credit unions.
13. Gather all installment loans, credit card and debts that are outstanding.
14. Contact all utilities and phone companies as well as landlords or mortgage companies.

Take a moment to decide who and when you will document your loved one’s life.

Gather enough information to write the Obituary for publishing. Ask the funeral home if they help you write the article and submit it to the newspapers or online memorials.

• Full Name
• Birth-date and Birthplace
• Age
• School Years and Education
• Marital Status
• Cause of Death
• Occupation
• College Degrees
• Mother’s and Father’s Name
• Social Security Number
• List of Survivors in Immediate Family
• Military or Veteran’s Information
• Memberships held
• Hobbies
• Outstanding work
• State Time and Place of Services
• Select Charities for Memorial Contributions

Create a Photo Memorial Collage or DVD. (FYI…if a DVD is presented don’t forget a screen, projector, speakers and DVD player.

Comforting things that can really help…

1. Try to find someone that can help you answer the phone, follow up on cards and emails.
2. Designate a person to gather information for catering needs, tables, chairs etc. , if needed.
3. Gather a list of people that need to be notified that have offered to help.

AARP has a Final Arrangement Checklist that can be found here”

We hope we’ve been able to help you on this very difficult and emotional journey. So many of these tasks can be handled by close family and trusted friends. In times of grief, it’s okay to let people help you.

Memorial Candles

When you reached the floral stage, we hope you will contact The Vinery Floral and Gifts. We would be honored to assist you. We offer very unique and original ideas for memorials and funeral floral starting at only $40. Custom and personalized floral arrangements created and designed especially for you and your loved ones.

During these difficult times we can provide very personal and confidential attention to all of the details that you may need.  We are known for creating memorial pieces that will bring a little bit of joy at a very difficult time.