Utah Funeral & Pre-Need Directory

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Utah Farewell Guide

Appendix

Master Checklists

By Curtis Olsen · Book pages 56–58

Guide topics

A Note Before You Begin Having the Conversation Pre-Planning a Funeral Getting the Paperwork in Order When the End Is Near The First 24 to 48 Hours Planning the Service Understanding Funeral Costs Caring for Yourself and Your Family During the Funeral The First Week Checklist Settling the Estate Closing Accounts and Loose Ends Grief and Healing Learning From the Experience Master Checklists “Where Everything Is” Worksheet Glossary A Final Word

Use these combined checklists to track your progress. Each chapter's full checklist appears at the end of that chapter.

Before: Preparing Ahead

The Conversation (Chapter 1)

Talk with loved ones about end-of-life and funeral wishesAsk who they want making decisionsWrite down what you learn

Pre-Planning (Chapter 2)

Choose burial, cremation, or another optionChoose the type of serviceDecide whether to pre-plan or pre-fund with a providerKeep copies of any pre-need contract with your documents

Paperwork (Chapter 3)

Will (with guardian named for minor children)Revocable living trust, fundedPour-over willDurable financial power of attorneyAdvance healthcare directiveHIPAA authorizationBeneficiary designations reviewed"Where Everything Is" sheet completed and shared

When the End Is Near (Chapter 4)

Ask about hospice or palliative careHave the healthcare directive on handKnow whom to call first at the time of death

During: The Funeral

First 24 to 48 Hours (Chapter 5)

Make the necessary calls (hospice, doctor, or 911 as appropriate)Contact the funeral homeNotify close family and friendsPrepare for the arrangement meetingOrder 5 to 10 or more certified death certificates Planning the Service (Chapter 6)Choose the service type, date, and placeWrite and publish the obituaryChoose speakers, music, and readingsRequest veterans' honors if eligible

Funeral Costs (Chapter 7)

Request the funeral home's General Price ListCompare options and set a budgetCheck for life insurance, pre-need, and veterans' benefits

Caring for Your Family (Chapter 8)

Choose a point person and delegate tasksPrepare children for the funeralSupport older relativesTrack who sent food, flowers, and gifts

After: The Weeks And Months Ahead

First Week (Chapter 9)

Secure the home, vehicles, and valuablesForward the mailNotify Social Security, employer, VA, and insurersFile life insurance claimsNotify banks and credit bureaus

Settling the Estate (Chapter 10)

Identify the personal representative or trusteeDetermine whether probate is neededInventory assets and pay valid debtsFile final tax returnsDistribute assets and close the estate

Loose Ends (Chapter 11)

Cancel subscriptions, licenses, and servicesTransfer vehiclesHandle digital accountsSearch for unclaimed propertyDivide personal belongings

Grief and Healing (Chapter 12)

Plan for difficult datesFind grief support if neededRemember: call or text 988 in a crisis

Your Own Plan (Chapter 13)

Complete your core documentsFund your trust and update beneficiariesWrite down your funeral wishesTalk with your familySet a review date

Related Utah professionals

Estate Planning Documents Funeral Homes Grief Support

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Learning From the Experience “Where Everything Is” Worksheet

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