For the Hardest Event We’ll Ever Plan

When a loved one passes away, the world suddenly feels different. Time speeds up and slows down at once. Decisions feel heavier. And somehow, families are asked to plan an entire service—often in just a few days—while carrying a heart that’s breaking.

This is why I love the Event Planning Triangle.
It’s simple, steady, and clarifying… especially when life feels anything but.

At its core, every event is shaped by three things: People, Money, and Time.
Weddings use it. Conferences use it. And yes—funeral planning follows the very same pattern, even though the emotions are deeper and the timeframes are shorter.

The picture above (of hands forming a glowing triangle around the sun) is a beautiful reminder: when everything feels overwhelming, bringing clarity to these three points helps you breathe again.

Let’s walk through it gently.

1. People — Who Needs to Be Honored, Included, or Supported?

In moments of grief, the first point of the triangle becomes the most important: the people.
Not just the loved one you're honoring, but also the family and friends who are gathering to remember and heal.

People-related questions might include:

• Who needs to be involved in the service decisions?

• Who will speak or offer prayers?

• Are there children, elderly family members, or long-distance travelers to consider?

• Who needs support behind the scenes—emotionally or logistically?

When you start with people, everything else finds a gentler rhythm.

2. Money — Creating Something Beautiful Within Your Means

Money isn’t the heart of a funeral… but it is a practical part of planning one.

The Event Planning Triangle helps you make thoughtful, peaceful decisions by asking:

• What is our budget for the program, flowers, venue, or slideshow?

• Where do we want to spend a little more?

• What can we simplify without losing meaning?

I created my Canva-based funeral templates to ease this specific corner of the triangle.
Families shouldn’t have to spend hundreds of dollars for something that can be done beautifully, quickly, and affordably. A template lets you control the look, the text, the photos, and the cost — without sacrificing the love you want to express.

3. Time — The Most Limited Resource in Funeral Planning

Unlike weddings, funerals rarely come with long timelines.
Most services happen within 3–7 days.

This is the point where stress usually rises.

Time pressures might include:

• Choosing a date for the viewing or service

• Coordinating with clergy or venues

• Gathering photographs for the program or slideshow

• Writing the obituary

• Communicating with family members

• Finalizing the order of service

• Printing programs in time

This is exactly why I created the Funeral Planning Checklist App — so you don’t have to remember everything yourself. It organizes the before, during, and after phases of the funeral, and helps you move through each step with calm, clear guidance.

Introducing: The Online Funeral Planning Checklist (Free Tool)

My digital checklist walks you through everything:

• What to do immediately after a loss

• Tasks leading up to the service

• What to prepare for the day of

• And what happens afterward — thank-you notes, donations, closing accounts, and more

It loads instantly on any phone or computer and saves your progress automatically.

When your mind is overwhelmed, having a checklist is like having someone gently take your hand and say: “You don’t have to remember everything. We’ll do this together.”

Create a Beautiful Memorial Faster
(Programs, Slideshows, Posters & More)

If you’re planning a celebration of life, I want you to know:
You can create something beautiful, meaningful, and personal — even in a short timeframe.

My Canva templates include:

• Funeral programs (4-page + 8-page)

• Slideshows

• Welcome signs

• Guestbooks

• Matching bundles

• Memory-sharing cards

• Printable keepsake posters

They’re designed so you can simply drag in your photos, update the text, and print or download.

No expensive custom designer.
No wrestling with Word documents.
Just a gentle, guided way to create something worthy of your loved one.

The Event Planning Triangle is a small tool… but it brings big comfort.
When your heart is hurting and decisions feel impossible, returning to People, Money, and Time can help everything fall into place.

And I’m here to support you with tools, templates, and step-by-step guidance — so you can focus on what truly matters: celebrating a beautiful life.