1. Introduction and Our Commitment

At **First to Heaven**, we recognize the deeply personal and sensitive nature of the information entrusted to us, especially during times of loss. This policy is written with **compassion** and clarity to explain how we handle personal data related to **funeral, memorial, and end-of-life services**.

Our commitment is to treat all information with the utmost **respect** and maintain high **professional** standards of security and confidentiality.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information necessary for the coordination of services and the creation of memorial tributes:

• Contact Information: Names, emails, phone numbers, and addresses of immediate family members and responsible parties.
• Personal Details of the Deceased: Full name, date of passing, date of birth, and details needed for official documents.
• Obituary and Memorial Content: Text, stories, photos, and videos submitted for public **obituary submissions** or **memorial pages**.
• Religious and Cultural Preferences: Information regarding **religious preferences** or cultural requirements vital for **funeral arrangements**.
• Funeral Logistics: Details on **funeral event details**, schedule, and venue locations.
• Tribute Messages: **Tribute messages** and condolences submitted by visitors to the guestbook.
• Pre-Planning Data: Information from **pre-planning funeral forms** (e.g., specific wishes, financial arrangements).
• Technical Data: IP address, device details, and site activity collected via logging and essential cookies.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information exclusively to fulfill our service commitment to you:

• Service Coordination: To facilitate and coordinate all aspects of the **funeral arrangements** with external providers.
• Tribute Publication: To publish and manage **obituaries and memorial pages** on the website as requested by the family.
• Communication: To communicate essential updates with family members and manage service inquiries.
• Payments: To process payments for services securely.
• Website Improvement: To analyze general site usage (anonymized where possible) to improve our services and site experience.

4. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR Ready)

We rely on the following legal grounds to process your personal data:

1. Contractual Necessity: To execute the contract for **funeral services** agreed upon with the family.
2. Consent: Your specific, affirmative consent for processing highly sensitive data, such as publishing **photos of the deceased** or other memorial content.
3. Legitimate Interest: For administrative purposes, security, and ensuring the smooth operation of our services, provided these interests do not override your rights.
4. Legal Obligation: To comply with legal reporting, regulatory, or government mandates.

5. Sharing Your Information with Third Parties

We share necessary information only with essential partners required for service delivery. We do not sell your personal data.

• Service Providers: Sharing logistical details with **funeral homes, cremation providers, florists**, **cemeteries**, and administrative bodies.
• Payment Processors: For secure handling of financial transactions.
• Legal/Regulatory Bodies: When legally required by law or judicial process.

6. Public Obituary Visibility & Removal Requests

Our website provides a public platform for remembrance:

• Public Visibility: **Obituary submissions**, **memorial pages**, and associated **tribute messages** are generally public and viewable by internet users.
• Photo Handling: **Photos of the deceased** are published only with family authorization and are subject to the same public visibility.
• Removal Requests: The legally responsible family member may **request removal** or edits of any memorial content, including photos, at any time by contacting us.