Survivors' Checklist
More than 80 Tasks * Indicates details that can be arranged before an emergency
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SECURE VITAL STATISTICS
1 * Name, home address, and telephone number
2 * How long in state
3 Last place of employment
4 * Name of business, address, and telephone number
5 * Occupation, type of business, and title
6 * Social Security Number
7 * War veteran’s serial number
8 * Date of birth
9 * Place of birth (state, county, and municipality)
10 * Last grade of education completed
11 * Father’s name and birthplace
12 * Mother’s maiden name and birthplace
EXPENSES TO CONSIDER
13 * Merchandise such as casket, vault, cremation urn, etc.
14 * Family burial estate or mausoleum crypts or niches
15 * Funeral director expenses
16 * Cemetery charges for opening and closing of grave, crypt, or niche
17 Permanent memorialization
18 Clergy, organist, soloist
19 Florist
20 Clothing
21 Transportation
22 Long distance telephone and/or wire service
23 Food for memorial reception and/or visitors
24 Doctors, nurses, hospital or nursing home
25 Ambulance
26 Medications
27 Other current bills due (mortgage, rent, taxes, etc.)
LOCATE AND COLLECT DOCUMENTS
28 * Last will & testament
29 * Legal proof of age or birth certificate
30 * Social Security card or number
31 * Marriage license
32 * Citizenship papers (if applicable)
33 * Insurance policies (life, accident, health, property)
34 * Bank books and listing of accounts
35 * Deeds to property, automobile, and other titles
36 * Income tax returns, receipts, or canceled checks
37 * Veteran’s honorable discharge certificate
38 * Disability claims
39 * Cemetery proof of ownership
DECIDE AND ARRANGE WITHIN A FEW HOURS
40 * Burial estate location and which space to use
41 * Casket
42 * Burial vault
43 * Clothing for deceased
44 * Marking of grave, either temporary or permanent
45 * Type of tribute ceremony (traditional, contemporary, religious,
non-religious, military, fraternal)
46 * Special selections of scripture, poetry, or readings
47 * Clergy to officiate and/or individual(s) to provide eulogy
48 * Service provider to handle arrangements
49 * Place where tribute ceremony should be conducted
50 Time of tribute ceremony
51 * Decide charity for memorial contributions (if any)
52 Provide information for eulogy
53 * Select pallbearers
54 * Flowers
55 * Music
56 Clothing for you and minor children
57 Preparation at home, including food for family and guests
58 Extra chairs if needed
59 Transportation, including planning procession list
60 Checking and signing necessary papers for burial permit
61 * Providing vital statistics about deceased for newspapers
62 * Providing addresses and phone numbers of family members
63 Answering innumerable sympathetic phone calls and messages
64 Meet with funeral director, cemetery representative, and clergy
65 Greeting all friends and relatives who visit
66 Arrange to meet out-of-state relatives arriving at airport
67 Provide or arrange lodging for out-of-town relatives
68 List floral tributes received at home to mail thank you cards
69 * Arrange for special religious ceremony
70 * Examine will regarding special wishes
71 Order certified copies of death certificate
72 Look after minor children
NOTIFY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
73 Doctor or coroner
74 Funeral director and clergy
75 All relatives and friends
76 Employer of deceased
77 Employer of relatives not going to work
78 Pallbearers
79 Religious, fraternal, civic, veterans organizations, and unions
80 Newspaper regarding notices
81 Attorney, accountant, executor of estate
82 Insurance agents and broker, if applicable
Why leave the burden of these decisions to someone you love on
what is most likely the worst day of their life?