Funeral Planning Checklist to Include in Your Digital Vault

Planning a funeral is never easy for families who are grieving. A clear, organized checklist stored in your Digital Vault for Estate Documents removes guesswork and helps loved ones carry out your wishes with confidence. Use this guide to create a compassionate, practical plan that covers service details, key contacts, legal documents, payments, and personal touches. You can build the core documents with Online Will Creation, Living Trust Setup Online, and Power of Attorney & Healthcare Proxy Forms, then store everything securely in Gentreo and share information with  the people you trust.

Why a digital vault matters for funeral planning

In the first 24 to 72 hours after a passing, families make dozens of decisions. The right people need fast access to documents, contact lists, and instructions. A digital vault ensures your plan is available from anywhere, avoids lost papers, and lets you share view or edit access with a small circle of helpers. Use Gentreo’s sharing controls to give your executor, trustee, and next of kin the exact items they will need.

Core documents to upload first

You can scan these documents or take pictures and then upload the scans or pictures into your vault. You can save information in provided spreadsheets or upload your own word documents or spreadsheets.

• Government ID and recent photo
  
  
• Birth certificate and Social Security number
  
  
• Marriage certificate or divorce decree if applicable
  
  
• Military discharge papers for veterans benefits (DD-214)
  
  
• Will or trust summary from Online Will Creation or Living Trust Setup Online
  
  
• Advance Directives Explained and Healthcare Proxy so hospitals can coordinate with family
  
  
• Understanding Power of Attorney note that explains who handled finances during life (note that after you die your will and trusts take control and a Power of Attorney is no longer valid)
  
  
• Prepaid burial or cremation contracts and cemetery deeds
  
  
• Life insurance policies and beneficiaries
  
  

Your funeral and memorial preferences

Write these choices in a simple document and save it alongside your will or trust summary.

• Burial or cremation
  
  
• Preferred funeral home and contact person
  
  
• Service location options and clergy or officiant preferences
  
  
• Open or closed casket
  
  
• Visitation or wake details
  
  
• Music, readings, or spiritual elements you want included
  
  
• Dress code and atmosphere guidance for guests
  
  
• Flowers, memorial donations, or charity preferences
  
  

Obituary and announcement details

• Draft obituary or bullet points: life highlights, family names, service to community
  
  
• Preferred photo for obituary and programs
  
  
• Newspapers or websites where you want the notice posted
  
  
• Social media preferences for announcements and memorial pages
  
  
• Memorial website or guestbook links
  
  

Contacts and roles

Create a contact list with names, mobile numbers, and emails. Flag who should be notified first.

• Executor and trustee
  
  
• Healthcare proxy and successors
  
  
• Immediate family and closest friends
  
  
• Attorney, financial advisor, and accountant
  
  
• Employer or former employer HR
  
  
• Faith leader or community leader
  
  
• Veterans affairs contact if applicable
  
  
• Funeral home director
  
  

Payment sources and cost guidance

List how expenses will be paid so loved ones do not carry costs on personal cards.

• Prepaid funeral or cemetery account details
  
  
• Life insurance claim instructions
  
  
• Trust account or payable on death account for funeral costs
  
  
• Contact info for your bank and proof of account ownership
  
  
• Guidance on budget ranges and priorities
  
  

Personal touches to make the day meaningful

• Favorite songs or playlists
  
  
• Readings, poems, or quotes
  
  
• Photo slideshow folder with labeled images
  
  
• Keepsakes to display
  
  
• Cultural or religious customs to honor
  
  
• Pallbearer or eulogist requests
  
  

Logistics and vendor checklist

• Funeral home contract and itemized price list
  
  
• Cemetery deed or cremation authorization
  
  
• Transportation plans for remains and family
  
  
• Flowers and printed program vendor contacts
  
  
• Catering or reception details
  
  
• Livestream or recording arrangements for distant guests
  
  

Accounts, keys, and digital life

• Phone and laptop passcodes stored securely in the vault
  
  
• Email and social media accounts with instructions on memorialization or closure
  
  
• Subscription list to cancel streaming, utilities, and memberships
  
  
• Cloud photo libraries and shared albums for memorial use
  
  

Documents for property and keepsakes

• Deed copies and vehicle titles
  
  
• Safe deposit box location and access steps
  
  
• Simple list of personal keepsakes and who should receive them
  
  
• Notes about sentimental items or stories to share at the service
  
  

Benefits and claims guide

• Life insurance policy numbers and claim forms if you have them
  
  
• Pension or survivor benefit contacts
  
  
• Veterans burial benefits instructions and eligible honors
  
  
• Employer benefits or union contacts for final pay and benefits
  
  

Pet care plan

If you live with a companion animal, include a short plan so your pet is safe on day one.

• Emergency caregiver contact
  
  
• Vet contact and vaccination records
  
  
• Food, routines, and medications
  
  
• Funds and instructions using Pet Trusts & Pet POA if you set those up
  
  

For families handling arrangements

Add a short “first steps” page for your helpers. Keep it in plain language.

• Call the funeral home listed in the vault
  
  
• Notify the contacts listed under “First calls”
  
  
• Use the “Payments” folder for authorized cards or accounts
  
  
• Share the obituary file and photo folder with the funeral home
  
  
• Bring printed copies of the will or trust summary to the meeting
  
  
• Use the vendor checklist to assign tasks to willing helpers
  
  

Organizing and sharing inside Gentreo

Gentreo makes it simple to keep everything current.

• Create folders for Documents, Contacts, Payments, Obituary, Vendors, Photos, and Benefits
  
  
• Add short notes to files explaining what each item is and how to use it
  
  
• Share view access with executor, trustee, and one backup person
  
  
• Save a PDF index of vault contents so anyone can find items fast
  
  
• Use notifications to let your team know when you update a document
  
  

Keeping your checklist up to date

Set reminders for key dates and changes.

• Annual review around your birthday or at year end
  
  
• After any move to update State-Specific Will Requirements items
  
  
• After changes to life insurance or bank accounts
  
  
• When you choose a different funeral home or change preferences
  
  
• If your state supports Remote Online Notarization for Estate Documents, refresh signatures when needed
  
  

How Gentreo helps you finish the plan

With Gentreo, you can create core documents, collect your wishes, and store everything in one secure place.

• Build or update legal documents with Online Will Creation, Living Trust Setup Online, and Power of Attorney & Healthcare Proxy Forms
  
  
• Store all files in your Digital Vault for Estate Documents with organized folders and shared access
  
  
• Use checklists for Organizing & Storing Estate Documents so nothing is missed
  
  
• Keep costs clear with Affordable Estate Planning Services and tools that fit families and caregivers
  

Ready to create and store your complete funeral planning checklist Open your Gentreo Digital Vault, use the folders already provided , and share access with the people you trust today.