When Death Occurs
When A Death Occurs
In the immediate aftermath of a loved one's passing, numerous decisions must be made. Given the heightened emotions during this time, it's wise to seek assistance in navigating these decisions and arrangements. The staff at the funeral home is readily available and eager to support you and your family in making the best possible choices. Their guidance can be invaluable in helping you navigate this challenging process.
Contact The Proper Authorities
Before any arrangements and decisions can be made, it's essential to obtain a legal pronouncement of death. If your loved one passes away in a medical or nursing facility, such as a hospital or nursing home, the staff will manage this process. However, if the death occurs at home, you must promptly contact local emergency officials to come and transport the deceased to a hospital for legal pronouncement. Family members who pass away under hospice care can be legally declared dead by hospice staff. This legal declaration is a necessary step before the family can proceed with making funeral arrangements or addressing any legal matters.
Begin To Make Arrangements
Once your loved one has been legally declared deceased, you and your family can begin making funeral arrangements. If your loved one had previously made any arrangements, it's essential to review those choices first. However, if no prior arrangements were made, and you've selected a funeral home for the services, you'll need to contact them to schedule a meeting with the funeral director to discuss options.
During this process, if the deceased hadn't communicated their final wishes, the family must decide whether to proceed with burial or cremation, and what type of service to hold. These decisions encompass the time, date, and location of the service, selecting a casket or urn, composing an obituary notice, choosing pallbearers, and finalizing details such as the officiant, music selection, and speakers.
Information Funeral Directors May Need
Once you've met with the funeral director, they will provide guidance on any necessary information or paperwork required for the death certificate and to proceed with finalizing arrangements.
Information Required:
- Full name and address
- Marital status
- Race/Ethnicity
- Date and city of birth
- Highest level of education
- Father’s name, mother’s maiden name
- Name of spouse
- Occupation and employer
Taking Care Of Personal Property
Following the death of your loved one, there are few things you need to attend to involving the deceased’s personal life. First, secure your loved one’s property. Make sure their home and vehicle are properly secure.
If your loved one has a pet, make the necessary arrangements for the pet to be taken care of by family or friends. Any mail that comes to your loved one should be forwarded to a family member that plans to handle the deceased’s estate. Any mail that piles up at a vacant home only alarms potential intruders that a home is empty.
Make sure to contact the deceased’s boss and inform them of the death. If your loved one had any upcoming appointments, make contact to notify them about the death and to cancel the appointment.
