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When Death Occurs
This is a very
difficult time and want you to know we are here to help. Here is some
information we hope you find helpful as you take care of your loved
one’s final arrangements.
Notification of
the Necessary Authorities
When a death occurs in a hospital or
nursing home, the professional staff will notify you and the necessary
authorities. If a loved one was in a hospice program, a hospice
representative may give family members instructions and procedures to
follow. In other situations, such as when a death occurs at home, a
family member should contact emergency personnel and the person’s
physician if he or she was under a doctor’s care.
In those first few hours . . .
One of the first phone calls you will
need to make is to the funeral home you will entrust with the care of
your loved one. Funeral directors are experienced professionals who
can provide information and guidance.
Call or contact other family members and
friends.
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The Death Certificate
A death certificate is a legal document
signed by the attending physician indicating the cause of death and
other vital statistics pertaining to the decedent. If your loved one
died in an accident, the county medical examiner or coroner may
prepare the form. The funeral arranger can help you prepare and file
the death certificate with the state and assist you with purchasing
certified copies. Certified copies are needed to apply for benefits
due the family, to sell or transfer ownership of property, to gain
access to safety deposit boxes and bank accounts and to receive
Veteran’s benefits. Additional copies may be ordered at any time
directly from the county or state agency responsible for vital
statistics.
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Initial Call to the Funeral
Home
The first call to the funeral home lets
the funeral arranger know that a death has occurred. While you may ask
the arranger any questions at this time, you will be able to discuss
the arrangements in detail later when you meet in person. During this
initial call, the funeral arranger will gather information to be able
to transport your loved one to the funeral home. The funeral arranger
may ask you several questions, including whether your loved one made
any prearrangements and whether you give your permission to embalm the
decedent, if necessary. The arranger will schedule a date and time for
you to meet at the funeral home and will let you know what you should
bring with you.
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Initial Visit to the
Funeral Home
When you visit the funeral home, the
funeral arranger will provide you with price lists and guide you
through the entire arrangement process, explaining how you can create
a memorable personal celebration of your loved one’s life. The
arrangement process may include preparing and filing the official
death certificate; scheduling the location, date and time of services
or events; selecting a casket, urn or other items; preparing an
obituary notice; scheduling vehicles; and selecting pallbearers. You
may also sign necessary authorizations or make arrangements to have
them signed by the appropriate family members.
Feel free to bring any photos, music or
memorabilia so that you and your funeral arranger can discuss how you
would like your loved one to be remembered. More and more people today
choose to personalize the funeral services they plan for their loved
ones. A favorite song, a favorite gathering place, even a favorite
activity can all become part of the service. We will assist you in
planning a loving tribute that captures the spirit of the person whose
life you wish to honor.
The following checklist will help you
remember what information about the decedent and items will be needed
when meeting with a funeral arranger.
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Full legal name
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Home address
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Social Security number
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Date of birth
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Place of birth
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Father’s name
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Mother’s maiden name
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Veteran’s discharge papers (DD-214)
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Recent photograph
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Highest education
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Occupation
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Place of burial (if applicable)
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Clothing
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Clergy name and phone number
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Survivors (name and relationship)
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Insurance policies (if applicable)
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Burial and Cremation
Arrangements
If you choose interment, you will need to
select a grave space or mausoleum space and will want to choose a
memorial or monument. There will be a professional service fee for the
interment.
If you choose cremation, remember that
you can plan a visitation and funeral ceremony to be held before the
cremation. Another option is a memorial service to be held after the
cremation with the urn present and/or a display of photos and other
items that illustrate the life of your loved one.
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