When an out-of-state family member or friend dies, far from your local St. Peters, MO cremation service, it feels like you’re suddenly in uncharted territory. You have to make decisions about funeral arrangements that you’ve never had to think about before. 

In this stressful time, it’s helpful to have a few tips at your fingertips. Planning an out-of-state funeral requires multiple logistical steps and considerations. Still, you can make it all happen smoothly with the right background information. 

Find a reputable funeral home in the area 

Funeral homes in the state where the person lived or passed away will likely have the best understanding of the local customs and requirements. In addition, they will have a good sense of the timing and necessary steps involved in the process. 

You can use Google Search to find reputable funeral homes in the state where your loved one lived or passed away. Also, see how far in advance you’ll need to make a service reservation at the location. 

Plan for transportation and lodging for out-of-town guests 

If there are people who want to attend the funeral but who live out of state, you’ll need to factor in the travel required to get them to the service and make sure they have a place to stay. Rent a van or a large car to transport the group, and talk to the funeral home about scheduling the service for a time that works for everyone. 

Find out if the funeral home can recommend a place where you can house out-of-town guests. Find out if any family member or close friend can host out-of-town guests. Also, check if a nearby hotel can provide a discounted rate due to the many people in one party. 

Ask for recommendations 

If there is a religious leader or community leader in the area where your loved one lived, see if they have any recommendations for funeral homes. 

In addition, if someone has passed away recently in your loved one’s town and you want to attend the funeral, ask the family for funeral home recommendations. 

Create a digital scrapbook 

If you can’t physically be at the funeral but still want to be part of the process, consider creating a scrapbook of photos, memories, and thoughts about the person who has passed away. Email the scrapbook to the family, and ask them to print it out and include it in the funeral program. 

You could also create a digital memorial website that people can visit and leave their condolences. There are many ways to be involved in the person’s funeral without traveling. 



Having these tips and tricks at your disposal can help make planning an out-of-state funeral smoother. 

For additional questions on funeral planning and cremation services in St. Peters, MO, reach out to us. Our trained experts are on hand to answer any question you have.