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Planning a Funeral Service | Making Funeral Arrangements

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Planning a funeral service can be time-consuming, overwhelming, and stress-inducing, especially for those who have never done it before—but it doesn’t have to be when you work with Henry Funeral Home. We realize this may be your first experience with making funeral or cremation arrangements.  You may feel apprehensive and confused about planning a memorial service, but we want to put your mind at ease. Below, our funeral planning guide will take you through each step of the process so you know what to expect and learn how we at Henry Funeral Home can make this distressing time easier and more organized for you and your family. From the initial planning stages to the final confirmation, we’re here at every step to guide you.

Here are some ways we will endeavor to make your experience planning a memorial service with us as easy as possible:

  • Our staff is professional yet compassionate and personable. We hope that when you leave, you’ll consider us more than just your funeral directors; we’ll be well on our way to being friends.
  • Our facilities are welcoming and inviting. The word ‘home’ is truly embodied here and is such a fitting part of our name. This circa 1895 Victorian home is rich with Lithonia history and charming character. Even more notable than the warm atmosphere, however, is the way you’re treated when you enter—as one of our own family.
  • We’ve put a lot of work into making this process efficient. Stay on track with us, and we’ll get it all covered—we promise! It may seem overwhelming at first, but by the end, we’re sure you’ll believe it wasn’t as painful or as time-consuming as you expected.
  • We’re trained to handle all the details- from veterans’ benefits and filing insurance to arranging dove releases at the cemetery and everything in between. With Henry Funeral Home, you’ve chosen very capable hands.
  • We are always accessible. Whether someone is in our physical office or not, our clients can always reach us by phone or email at any time day or night. We will address your questions or concerns in a timely manner.

Here are some items to consider bringing to your initial appointment. All may not apply to your situation.

  • Vital information (list provided below)
  • Biographical details (list provided below)
  • Recent photograph (used for appearance & online memorial page)
  • Photographs for digital tribute (up to 50)
  • Clothing (complete with undergarments)
  • Life insurance policies and/or company correspondence
  • If a veteran, a copy of VA form DD-214

The Arrangement Conference:

A Henry Funeral Home staff member will meet and welcome you as soon as you enter our doors. They will then guide you to the arrangement room to begin the process of planning a funeral service, which consists of the following:

1. Gathering vital statistics for the death certificate and other pertinent paperwork.  We will ask you the following questions for the purpose of generating the death certificate and other documents:

  • Deceased’s full name
  • Social security number
  • Date, city & state of birth
  • Parent’s names (including maiden name of mother)
  • History of education & employment
  • History of military service
  • Current address
  • Marital status
  • Spouse’s name (if widowed or married)
  • Name, address, phone number & email address of primary family contact

 

2. Providing biographical details for the creation of an obituary. This is where you share your memories and insights into your loved one’s character and lifestyle. No one knew them better than you, and we want to hear everything about them so we can tailor the service to them. You tell us their story, and we’ll take it from there.  Here are some things commonly included in an obituary:

  • Hobbies & interests
  • Church affiliation
  • Community involvement
  • Clubs/organizational memberships
  • Character traits
  • School & work history
  • Family preceding your loved one in death
  • Surviving family members
  • A recent photograph

 

3. Deciding about the plans for the funeral or memorial service. There are countless ways to honor, remember and celebrate your loved one. No one knows the best ways to honor the deceased like their loved ones, so we’ll ask you some basic questions such as: 

  • If not already determined, would my loved one desire traditional burial or cremation?
  • Do we want to have a viewing/visitation to receive guests?
  • Will there be a service for family and friends? If so, when and where?
  • Who will participate in the service—speakers, musicians, etc.?
  • Are there special readings or musical selections we desire?
  • Are we interested in a digital picture tribute?
  • If applicable, who will serve as pallbearers?
  • If applicable, do we own cemetery property?
  • Are we interested in having memorial contributions made to a preferred charity or church?
  • Are there special/accessory services we desire—dove release, bagpipes, etc.

 

The Federal Trade Commission requires that we have a listing of our services, corresponding prices, and necessary disclosures available to all families. This is known as a General Price List, or GPL.  To ensure compliance, if we haven't already shown you, this is often the time in the arrangement conference we will present and explain all this to you, so you are well informed. Our online version can be explored by clicking the “View Our GPL” tab.

 

4. Making selections of products pertinent to the services you’ve planned. We will guide, inform and educate you on what is needed and what is optional. Our showroom is furnished with samples of all types of merchandise in a range of price points and various style preferences. We will broach you with the question of whether the arrangements for the service lend themselves to the purchase of the following:

  • Casket
  • Vault (outer burial container)
  • Register book package (book, memorials, thank you notes)
  • Printed programs
  • Urn
  • Urn vault
  • Keepsake urns
  • Flag case
  • Memorial jewelry

5. Confirming selections, presenting relevant documents for review and signature, and recapping information.In this closing of our meeting, we will list for you any additional information or items we need you to provide and the timelines in which we need them. Rest assured that we’ll take it from there. If questions or concerns do arise, don’t ever hesitate to reach out to us by phone (770) 482-4411 or by email at henryfuneralhm@gmail.com. We’re here for you when you need us most.

henryfuneralhm@gmail.com

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