The Arrangement Conference
Planning a Fitting Funeral
The arrangement conference is a meeting between you and the funeral counselor where you make funeral plans for the deceased. This can take up to several hours. Every family’s needs are different, and we let you set the pace. We’ll help you understand your options, show you what's possible, and most importantly, make sure there are no surprises. To help you prepare, we have provided a checklist of items to bring with you to the arrangement conference.
The arrangement conference serves three primary purposes:
- Sharing information needed to handle essential paperwork such as the death certificate, obituary, and insurance matters.
- Making personal decisions regarding how you want to remember the person who has died.
- Deciding on a funeral service and burial option that is fitting for you and your family.
Personal Decisions
We encourage you to ask for help from family and friends. Participating in the arrangements can help begin the healing process. Considerations include:
- Where and when will services be held?
- Do you want to publish an obituary, and if so, who will write it?
- Do you want to publish a favorite charity for memorial gifts, or donations in lieu of flowers?
- Do you need to choose a cemetery or other final resting place?
- Do you need to purchase and make arrangements for a monument or marker?
- What kind of funeral service is the most appropriate; simple or elaborate, public or private, religious or secular?
- What’s the best way to memorialize the person who has died?
- Should there be a viewing, a visitation, a funeral service, a committal service?
- Who will participate in the service? Will there be pallbearers, clergy, musicians, or speakers? Who will officiate?
- Do you want floral arrangements for the service or memorial, and if so, what flowers are appropriate?
- Will the remains be buried, cremated, or otherwise interred?
- Will the body be present at the funeral service?
- If there is a casket, will it be open or closed?
How Much Does a Funeral Cost?
The cost of a funeral is a varied as the personal choices that you make. The cost of any services and items you choose will be carefully and thoroughly explained before purchase. Our General Price List, Casket Price List, and Urn Price List, are available at Roller Hapgood & Tinney during business hours. You can also call us at (650) 328-1360.
For more information, please visit our Understanding Funeral Costs section.