If a loved one has passed, we are very sorry for your loss. You may be wondering, where do I start? Everything begins with one simple phone call to us. Let Forest Lawn help you navigate through this difficult time.
Planning at a Time of Loss
A step-by-step guide to making arrangements at a time of loss.
Planning at a Time of Loss
Get Personalized Help
Call our memorial counselors for help starting this process. We’re here at any time of the day or night.
Contact Us
-
1 (888) 204-3131
U.S. Toll Free
-
+1 (323) 254-3131
International
Meet with a Memorial Counselor
The first step is to contact Forest Lawn. Your memorial counselor will guide you through this process with a patient and empathetic hand, not only helping you to honor and put your loved one to rest, but also navigate the procedural challenges like addressing legal requirements and dealing with life insurance.
-
Start the process
Your counselor will help you understand the necessary paperwork and guide you through the steps, then work with you to create a unique and personalized service. We will ask you to bring a few items with you to your appointment so that we can get started right away.
Resource: What to Bring to Your Appointment -
Check for plans
Did your loved one pre-plan with Forest Lawn? Ask your memorial counselor to check for previous arrangements made. If there was a policy purchased, our Records department will have a copy of the pre-planned arrangements.
Contact us to check for premade arrangements -
Explore the options
We offer the convenience of mortuary, chapels, flowers, cremation, and cemetery property — all in one place. Or, if you would like to have the memorial service at a place of worship with a family clergy, your counselor will help you plan every detail.
Learn more about making arrangements
Additional Preparation
While the planning is in process, there is some information you will need to gather and contacts you will need to make.
-
Reach out
Contact family and friends to inform them of the passing. You may also need to contact financial institutions and insurance companies to finalize your arrangements. We will work with you to accommodate your guests so that you may all come together to honor the life of your loved one.
Article: Reaching Out to Gather Memories -
Determine authority
Legally speaking, there is only one person with authority to make arrangements. Unless that person was designated in a legal document, this will be the closest relation, like a spouse, domestic partner, parent, child, or sibling. If you’re not sure who it is, we are here to help you figure it out.
-
Start the obituary
Obituaries help you share the news of a loved one’s passing, as well as the funeral details. Obituaries also serve as public tributes to their life. Gather the information you’d like to share with readers in remembrance of your loved one. We can guide you in finalizing and publishing the text.
Before you say goodbye
Encourage them to share their final wishes while they are still with you. We know it can be a difficult conversation but any details shared can help you make informed decisions and truly honor their legacy when making arrangements.
Ready to Learn More?
Our interactive arrangements tool can help give you a better idea of the pricing and options available through Forest Lawn.
Contact Us
-
1 (888) 204-3131
U.S. Toll Free
-
+1 (323) 254-3131
International