Planning a funeral is something none of us truly want to think about, but taking the time to plan ahead can be one of the most thoughtful and compassionate decisions you ever make.
At Slater Funeral Services, we’ve supported Pittsburgh families through some of life’s most difficult moments, and we understand the comfort that comes with having a plan in place.
Whether you’re pre-planning for yourself or making arrangements for a loved one, this funeral planning checklist is designed to help you understand what decisions need to be made and how we can help you through each step.
Why Pre-Planning Matters
Funeral pre-planning offers peace of mind, both for you and for your loved ones. By outlining your wishes in advance, you relieve your family of the burden of making emotional decisions during a time of grief. It also gives you the opportunity to reflect on what matters most to you, your legacy, and how you’d like to be remembered.
At Slater Funeral Services, we offer a funeral pre-planning form that walks you through every key detail. Once submitted, our compassionate team will reach out to guide you through the process and ensure your wishes are honored.
Our Complete Funeral Planning Checklist
1. Basic Personal Information
Having basic personal information ready can help complete any of the necessary documentation. Here is what you should have prepared:
- Full legal name
- Date and place of birth
- Social Security number
- Marital status
- Occupation and employment history
- Names of parents, including mother’s maiden name
- Education level
2. Choose Burial or Cremation
A visitation and viewing period of your loved one will create a quiet, informal moment for friends and family members to pay their respects individually. This is usually followed by a committal service at a cemetery commemorating the final resting place, providing the opportunity for greater closure and acceptance.
In any regard, there are no restrictions as to what can be arranged; the typical requirements of embalming, vault, etc. can be eliminated, allowing for a more simple yet meaningful burial.
Cremation, on the contrary, is a manner of final disposition, and many options are available to families to ease the burden of the decision process. There are three main cremation services: full, limited, and direct.
3. Service Preferences
We help families create meaningful, personalized tributes that reflect the lives and values of their loved ones.
At Slater Funeral Home, we embrace the rich tapestry of human beliefs and traditions, offering compassionate and inclusive services to individuals of all faiths and religions. Our dedicated staff understands the importance of honoring diverse spiritual practices and customs during the delicate process of saying goodbye to a loved one.
Whether you seek a Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or secular service, we are here to support you! With our extensive experience in facilitating respectful and meaningful ceremonies, we ensure that your loved one’s final farewell is a reflection of their beliefs and a source of comfort for you and your family.
Here is a list of service preferences to keep in mind:
- Type of service: traditional funeral, memorial service, graveside, or celebration of life
- Preferred location: our chapel, a place of worship, outdoors, or another venue
- Religious or cultural customs to be observed
- Officiant or clergy preferences
- Musical selections or readings
- Display of personal items, photos, or memorabilia
4. Visitation and Viewing
Families may choose to have a public visitation period followed by services and interment. Or they may opt for a more private gathering of the family along with a personalized burial of your loved one.
When planning a funeral, you need to decide:
- Do you wish to have a viewing or wake?
- What is your preferred timing?
- What will be the location of the visitation?
Our facilities are designed to provide a peaceful, welcoming environment for guests to gather and pay their respects.
5. Preparation of Remains
Depending on the type of service, you may choose embalming or other preparation options.
Embalming is not required by law, but it may be necessary if you select certain funeral arrangements, such as a funeral with a viewing. If you do not want embalming, you usually have the right to choose an arrangement that does not require you to pay for it, such as direct cremation or direct burial.
Preparation also includes cosmetics, such as dressing and casketing, washing and disinfection when not embalming, refrigeration per day, and special restoration for autopsied remains.
If you aren’t sure what’s required? Our team will walk you through what’s appropriate for your selected service.
6. Transportation and Vehicles
Slater Funeral Services offers transportation within a 25-mile radius. An additional charge per mile one-way, per vehicle, outside the local service area may apply.
Motor equipment offerings include:
- Transfer of remains to funeral home
- Hearse
- Limousine
- Flower car or floral disposition
- Lead car or clergy car
- Transfer of remains to airport
- Transfer of remains to crematory
7. Merchandise Selections
Selecting a casket or urn is a very personal choice. We have many offerings available for you to choose from.
Our staff will gently guide you through choosing the appropriate items for your service. These can include the casket or urn selection, outer burial containers, burial clothing, memorial stationery, guest books, and more.
8. Legal and Administrative Support
After a death, there are many legal details to consider. While it is not necessary to get a lawyer, it is strongly recommended. A lawyer will make sure all the details are taken care of. The time following a loved one’s death is extremely emotional, and even the closest family will have disagreements over the most trivial matters. To ensure peace in the family, it is a good idea to let a lawyer figure things out.
Before getting in touch with a lawyer, you need to gather several important documents. Those include:
- Wills
- Deeds
- Bank Statements
- Insurance Policies
- Vehicle and Boat Titles
- Tax Documents
Compassionate Help, Every Step of the Way
At Slater Funeral Services, we understand that planning a funeral is one of the most personal and emotional responsibilities a family can face. Our role is to help carry the weight by handling the logistics, honoring your wishes, and treating your loved one with dignity and respect.
We proudly serve families throughout Pittsburgh with the care, sensitivity, and professionalism that have made our name trusted in the community for generations.
Start Planning Today
If you’re ready to begin the funeral pre-planning process, you can fill out our pre-planning form here or contact us directly. Our compassionate staff will follow up to guide you every step of the way.
Whether you’re planning ahead or navigating a recent loss, we’re here for you.
