Maryland Funeral Resources & Education
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    • Perform Body Care >
      • Cooling Techniques
    • Complete Paperwork
    • Arrange Disposition
    • Transport the Dead
    • Create Ceremony
    • Go Out Greener
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      • Guidance for Care at Home
      • Practical Guidelines
      • Ceremony Resources
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At a Glance Information

If this is the first time you have had to arrange a funeral, this page is designed to help you get straight to the most critical information about what to expect and whom to call for help. There are several steps that must be followed, but taken one at a time they are all achievable.

On This Page

  • Step-by-step family-led funeral planning
  • List of local authorities with contact info
  • Death certificate worksheet​

Step-by-Step Family-Led Funerals in Maryland

Detailed descriptions of the following can be found on the How-To pages:
  • Determine who has the legal authority to make funeral arrangements.
  • Care for the body by bathing, dressing, and cooling.
  • Purchase or make burial containers such as caskets or shrouds.
  • Arrange for burial plot purchase if desired.
  • Obtain, complete, and file the death certificate.
  • Obtain the metal tag that goes with the body.
  • Obtain the transit/burial permit.
  • Design and conduct ceremonies in the home, other facility, or graveside, if desired.
  • Hire professionals (clergy/celebrant, funeral director, transport company, etc.) as needed.
  • Transport the body as necessary to the home, place of worship, other facility, or place of disposition.
  • File for Social Security and Veterans Benefits.
  • Obtain and distribute copies of certified death certificates to banks, insurance companies, etc.

Funeral Goods and Services, Options and Opportunities

To be able to compare prices of professional funeral services, go to the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Maryland and Environs.
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State Authorities Contact Info

Families wishing to handle the paperwork (filing the death certificate) without hiring a funeral director must:
1. Obtain the death certificate from a doctor, health care provider designated by a hospital, or medical examiner after they have completed the medical portion certifying time and cause of death within 72 hours of the death (excluding weekends and holidays).
2. If a medical examiner is involved, the ME will file the death certificate with the local or state registrar.
4. Complete the demographic portion and bring the death certificate to the Maryland Department of Health/Vital Statistics Administration during office hours to file electronically.
5. Obtain a disposition transit permit before handing final disposition of remains or moving them out of state. A certified copy, available in the office after the death certificate is filed and accepted, is required to obtain the disposition transit permit.

Death Certificate Completion Worksheet

  • Download the Maryland Death Certificate Worksheet to capture information that will be transferred to the actual death certificate​ 

Resources and Online Links

Maryland Death Certificate Worksheet
Maryland Department of Health/Vital Statistics Administration
Funeral Consumers Alliance of Maryland and Environs

Learn how to:

Perform Body Care
Complete Paperwork
Arrange Disposition
Transport the Dead
Create Ceremony
Go Out Greener
Work with Professionals
​Pay For a Funeral

learn about:

How to Get Help
Maryland Funeral Law
Professional Education
Community Education
Home Funeral Resources
FAQs
​Glossary of Terms
Stories
 (coming soon)o
Maryland Funeral Resources and Education is a non-commercial public interest site dedicated to helping Maryland consumers care for their own dead with or without the assistance of a funeral director. All rights reserved  © FuneralPartnership.org

Maryland Funeral Resources and Education

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Contact​
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Website design Lee Webster,
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  • Home
  • How To
    • Get Help Now
    • Learn the Law
    • Have a Home Funeral
    • Perform Body Care >
      • Cooling Techniques
    • Complete Paperwork
    • Arrange Disposition
    • Transport the Dead
    • Create Ceremony
    • Go Out Greener
    • Pay for a Funeral
    • Work with Professionals
  • Learn More
    • Resources for Professionals
    • Tools for Community Education
    • Books, Articles, Organizations
    • Glossary
    • Sample Forms
    • Special Circumstances >
      • Guidance for Care at Home
      • Practical Guidelines
      • Ceremony Resources
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us