PLANNING WORKSHEET FOR A CHRISTIAN FUNERAL
Courtesy of the Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest

I.   First things to do after death occurs:

1. Call the pastor if he/she is not there at time of death
    
2. Call the mortician (name of funeral home)
   __________________________________________________________
    
3. Call the Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest (1-800-424-0447)

II.   Funeral Service Details:

1. Location of Service
    
   1. Your congregation
      __________________________________________________________
       
   2. Funeral home
      __________________________________________________________
   
    
2. Officiating Minister
    
   1. The pastor of _________________________ Lutheran Church at the time of death.
       
   2. Other ____________________________________________________
   
    
3. Scripture suggestions (usually a psalm and three readings, one from the old testament, one from the new testament letters and a gospel.)
    
   1. Confirmation Verse (if any)
      __________________________________________________________
       
   2. Meaningful scripture passages or Bible themes:
      __________________________________________________________
      __________________________________________________________
      __________________________________________________________
   
    
4. Hymn selection (usually 2 or 3 hymns are used):
    
   1. _____________________________
   2. _____________________________
   3. _____________________________
   4. _____________________________
   
    
5. Do you desire that the Holy Communion be celebrated at your funeral? _____
    
6. Do you desire the use of the Pas as a symbol of your baptism? ____________

III.   Information for obituary:

1. Date and place of birth
   __________________________________________________________
    
2. Parents' names
   __________________________________________________________
    
3. Baptism date and place of Baptism
   __________________________________________________________
    
4. Confirmation date and place of confirmation
   __________________________________________________________
    
5. Schools attended
   __________________________________________________________
    
6. Date and place of marriage
   __________________________________________________________
    
7. Occupation(s)
   __________________________________________________________
    
8. Organizational memberships; church memberships and services performed; hobbies/special interests:
   __________________________________________________________
   __________________________________________________________
   __________________________________________________________
    
9. Survivors:
    
   1. Parents
      __________________________________________________________
       
   2. Wife/Husband
      __________________________________________________________
       
   3. Daughters
      __________________________________________________________
       
   4. Sons
      __________________________________________________________
       
   5. Sisters
      __________________________________________________________
       
   6. Brothers
      __________________________________________________________
       
   7. Number of grandchildren and great-children
      __________________________________________________________
       
   8. Preceded in death by:
      __________________________________________________________
      __________________________________________________________
      __________________________________________________________
      __________________________________________________________

IV.   Pallbearers (6 are needed; list 8 or 9 - include phone numbers):

1. ____________________________
2. ____________________________
3. ____________________________
4. ____________________________
5. ____________________________
6. ____________________________
7. ____________________________
8. ____________________________

V.   Necessary death certificate information:

1. Complete name (as on birth certificate)
   __________________________________________________________
    
2. Location of birth
   __________________________________________________________
    
3. Parents' names
   __________________________________________________________
   __________________________________________________________

VI. Other Items:

1. Make a list of all your life insurance policies. Include club memberships that provide a benefit in case of accidental death.