When meeting with funeral homes in St. Peters, MO. to make arrangements for your loved one, there are documents and other items that you will need. Having all of these documents completed, organized, and ready to go can make the process run more smoothly and ease a little of your burden. To help you get started, we are talking today about some of the most common items you should bring with you to the funeral home. 

Important Documents 

Some of the documents you need to bring pertain to insurance as well as burial information. These documents can include the following: 

• Life insurance policy 
  
• Prearrangement paperwork for funeral 
  
• Cemetery paperwork 
  
• Military discharge papers (DD 214 Form) 

Biographical Information 

You will also need to make sure to bring with you documents that will help facilitate things such as the completion of the death certificate, notifying social security, and more, Things to gather include: 

• Social security card (or number) 
  
• Date of birth 
  
• Name of their primary care physician 
  
• Legal address 
  
• Spouse’s full name including maiden name (if applicable) 
  
• Wedding date (if applicable) 
  
• Names of employer 
  
• Name of any schools attended 
  
• Parents’ full names and birthplace including mother’s maiden name 
  
• Name of any surviving relatives such as children, siblings, grandchildren, etc. 
  
• Details about military service (if applicable) 

Personal Items 

You will also need to provide items that will assist in preparing the body for the services as well as any memorial tributes and burial. Items in this category consist of: 

Clothing they will be buried in including 

• Undergarments 
  
• Socks or hosiery 
• Shoes 
• Dentures (if applicable) 
  
• Jewelry 
  
• Glasses (if applicable) 
  
• Recent photo that shows their hairstyle as well as their makeup use (to be used for reference to prepare the body) 
  
• One photograph for their online obituary 
  
• Photos for use in their memorial video 

Items for the Service 

Although these items do not need to be brought with you at the first meeting with the funeral home, these items will be needed at the time of the services. These things include; 

Memorial Table Items 

• Awards received 
  
• Framed photographs 
• Any memorabilia 

• Visitor’s registration book - So that guests may sign in 
  
• Prayer cards or other funeral favors - To be handed to guests as they come in 
• Memorial program - So that guests may follow along with the order of service 

If you feel as if all of these items and documents are too much for you to gather by yourself, please ask another family member (or several) to help you. This is not something you should have to do alone and can be much easier when split between multiple people. 

Also, do not worry if you do not have everything the first time you meet with funeral homes in St. Peters, MO. As funeral directors, we know this is a difficult time for you and it is our job to help you through this time. We are here to make sure all the correct paperwork if completed and filed and walk you through everything so that nothing gets left undone.