Funeral Planning · Checklists & must-considers

When you don't know where to start, start here.

Whether you've just lost someone or you want to be ready before the moment comes, our guides walk you through the first 48 hours and every decision that follows, one calm step at a time.

  • Instant PDF download
  • Printable checklists
  • Plain language, no fluff
The 48-Hour Funeral Checklist guide cover

If you're here, you may be thinking...

Someone has died and I don't know who to call first.

I'm worried about being pressured into spending more than we can afford.

There's so much paperwork, and I can barely think straight.

I don't know which bills to pay, and which ones to leave alone.

You don't have to figure this out alone, or all at once.

The 48-Hour Funeral Checklist

What's inside

What's inside our funeral planning guides

  • The first hour

    Who to call, in what order, before anyone else.

  • Choosing the funeral home

    How the FTC Funeral Rule protects you, and how families miss it.

  • Locating the documents

    The paperwork search that saves you weeks later.

  • Notifying the agencies

    Social Security, VA, Medicare and the IRS, in that order.

  • The financial realities

    Bank accounts, credit cards, and what you should not pay yet.

  • Taking care of yourself

    The hour a day that keeps you standing.

The difference

What changes when you have a plan

Without a plan

  • Overwhelmed by calls, forms and choices
  • Feeling rushed into expensive decisions
  • Not knowing which bills to pay, or when
  • Important tasks slipping through the cracks

With your guide

  • A clear order of what to do, and what can wait
  • Your rights under the FTC Funeral Rule, so you only pay for what you choose
  • The right agencies notified, in the right order
  • Space to grieve, knowing nothing is forgotten

How it works

Get your guide in minutes

1

Pick your situation

Choose the guide that matches where you are right now. Every one is written for a specific moment in life.

2

Download instantly

Check out securely and your PDF arrives by email in minutes. Read on any device or print it.

3

Take the first step today

Start with the checklist on page one. Clear actions, not theory, so you feel progress straight away.

Questions

Questions we hear a lot

I've just lost someone. Can I use this right now?

Yes. The guide starts with the first hour: who to call, and in what order. The download arrives by email within minutes of purchase.

Can I read it before we need it?

Yes. Many families read it ahead of time so they know what to do first, and share it with siblings so everyone is on the same page.

Does it cover local laws and requirements?

It covers the general steps and US agencies, plus the questions to ask. Requirements vary by state, so confirm specifics with your funeral provider or local authority.

Is it printable?

Yes. It prints cleanly, and the one-page cheat sheet and resource card are designed to keep on the fridge or in your phone.

One calm guide. Every step covered.

Take the guesswork out of the hardest week.

Instant PDF download · Secure checkout

Please note: our funeral planning guides provide general information and are not legal or financial advice. Requirements differ by location. If you are struggling with grief, you can call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, US) any time.