1. Decide on funeral plans. If you decided to work with a funeral home, meet with the funeral director to go through your options. 

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2. Order a casket or urn. You may choose to purchase these directly through the funeral home, and many people prefer this for ease of coordination. However, do keep in mind that some funeral homes allow you to customize your casket to reduce cost.

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3. Ask the post office to forward mail. If the person lived alone, this will prevent mail from piling up and showing that the property is unoccupied. The mail may also help you identify bills that need to be paid and accounts that should be closed. You’ll need to file a request at the post office and show proof that you are an appointed executor and authorized to manage his or her mail.

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4. Perform a more thorough check of the person’s home. Throw out any food that will expire, water plants, and look for anything else that may need regular care.

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5. Create a memorial website. A memorial webpage will make it easy for you to share a death announcement and any funeral plans with a larger circle of people. You can also distribute documents such as your Order of Service to cut down on cost. Contact us to begin creating your everlasting memory.

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6. Write an obituary. Draft an obituary for your loved one and get feedback from friends and family. If you’re not sure where to start, try using an obituary template. Once it’s complete, determine whether you’d like to pay to have it published in your local newspaper. You can always publish an obituary online.