Funeral and Memorial Planning Memorandum of Understanding

What a good one includes

• A detailed breakdown of the planner's duties, including vendor coordination, day-of management, and spiritual or cultural custom integration.
• A clear division of tasks outlining what the planner will handle versus what the family, clergy, or faith community volunteers are responsible for.
• Explicit terms regarding planning fees, deposit schedules, and how external disbursements like clergy honorariums or musician fees will be processed.
• A structured schedule for decisions, program printing, and venue access times to keep the planning process moving smoothly without rushing the family.
• Specific guidelines respecting the religious, spiritual, or cultural traditions that must be observed during the service and on the venue grounds.
• Compassionate yet clear terms detailing how changes, postponements, or cancellations will be handled under unexpected circumstances.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Failing to define exactly where the planner’s duties end, which often leads to unpaid extra labor or overlooked tasks during the service.
• Omitting specific venue-imposed or faith-based rules, such as restrictions on music, dress codes, or photography within a sanctuary.
• Neglecting to designate a single point of contact for the family, resulting in conflicting instructions from multiple grieving relatives.
• Assuming the planner will personally cover upfront costs for third-party vendors without an established deposit or reimbursement structure in the agreement.

Frequently asked questions