We're here with you.

Someone you love has died. You don't have to figure this out alone. We'll walk with you through each step, one at a time, at your pace.

Nothing has to be decided in the first hour. Take time with your loved one. This guide was written by a nurse administrator with more than 20 years at the bedside, for families in Los Angeles County.

Show me what to do first

Your checklist

From the first hour through the first two weeks. Tick things off as you go; your progress stays on this device.

Choose a funeral home or crematory

Call two or three before you choose. In Los Angeles County, the price of a direct cremation can differ by thousands of dollars between providers.

Your rights: every funeral home must give you prices over the phone. You can buy only what you want, not a package. In California, funeral homes with websites must post their price list online or say it is available on request.

What to say on the phone

"My loved one passed away at [hospital] in [city]. I'm comparing prices."
"What is your total price for direct cremation, including pickup, the cremation, the county permit and one death certificate?"
"Are there extra charges for hospital pickup, after hours, or weight?"
"How many days until it's done, and how do I receive the ashes?"
"Can you email me your General Price List?"

Compare what you hearExample rows, replace with your calls

Provider	Total price ($)	Pickup time

Certified death certificates in LA County cost $26 each. Most families need 5 to 10.

Tell family and friends

Fill in what you know. Leave the rest blank and send an update later.

Full name Age Date of passing Place Who was with them Who will miss them Service details From

Example details, replace with your own

Paste it into a group text or email. This option is always free.

Want us to send it for you, with a photo?

We make a tasteful notice card with their photo and email it to up to 100 family and friends. Then one tap shares the same notice by text or WhatsApp, here and overseas. You see a preview before anything goes out. Prices are the full price, with nothing added later.

Photo notice$25Photo card, sent by email, easy to share by text Photo notice + memorial page$39Adds a lasting page to share memories. Enter the details once.

Helping a family who lost someone? Give them the photo notice and memorial page ($39).

Write the obituary

Answer in a few words each. We'll put it together, and you can change anything.

Example answers, replace with your own

Your photo notice

Your checklist

Choose a funeral home or crematory

Tell family and friends

Write the obituary