Making Arrangements

Planning a funeral can feel overwhelming, especially during a time of loss. We recommend that the person responsible for making arrangements bring a trusted family member or friend to help with decisions and provide support throughout the process.

To complete the death certificate, the funeral director will need certain personal information about your loved one. Having these details ready can help make the arrangement process smoother.

Information needed may include:

Full legal name of the deceased
Home address
Marital status
Date of birth
Place of birth
Occupation
Father’s name
Mother’s maiden name
Social Security number
Veteran information, including DD-214 if applicable
Level of education
Place of burial
Doctor’s name, address, and phone number
Country of citizenship

Because the death certificate is a permanent legal record filed with the state or local health department, it is important that all information be accurate. Certified copies are issued through the Division of Vital Records, and the funeral director can help you determine how many copies may be needed.

Other items and information that may be helpful during arrangements include:

A recent photograph of the deceased
Clothing for viewing or burial, including undergarments
Any special clothing instructions
Jewelry, cosmetics, nail polish, or personal items
Retirement and insurance information
Beneficiary name, address, Social Security number, and date of birth
A list of surviving family members
Contact information for a minister, priest, rabbi, or other officiant

If a religious or spiritual service is desired, we will need the preferred officiant’s name and contact information so the service time can be coordinated. If you do not have someone in mind, the funeral director can help locate an appropriate person to lead the ceremony.

If cemetery property has already been purchased, please bring the deed or any information showing the lot owner and grave location. If the deed is not available, the owner’s name may help the cemetery locate the property. For families who do not yet have cemetery space, the funeral director can assist in finding available options.

When a viewing is planned, a recent photo and clothing are helpful. Burial garments are also available when needed. Families will also be able to choose from a variety of caskets, with pricing clearly displayed so costs are easy to understand.

The funeral director can also assist with preparing the obituary or death notice, arranging transportation, coordinating flowers with a local florist, and reviewing any benefits that may apply, including Social Security and veterans' benefits.

Lyles Funeral Service is committed to helping families create meaningful services with honesty, care, and professionalism. Our goal is to provide dependable guidance and quality service throughout every step of the arrangement process.

When Making Funeral Arrangements