When Death Occurs

Whether a death is sudden or expected, the loss of a loved one is always deeply emotional and overwhelming. No amount of preparation can fully prepare you for the grief that follows. During this difficult time, even the most basic decisions can feel daunting.

To help guide you through the immediate steps, here is a rough guideline of what needs to be done within the first 24 hours after a death:

When death occurs at home or a place of business

If the person who passed was not under hospice care, the police must be notified immediately. The police will come to the home, and they will contact the coroner or medical examiner. The coroner or medical examiner will examine the body and determine whether further action is necessary. The body must be released by the coroner or medical examiner before the funeral home can proceed with any arrangements.

If the person was under hospice care, reach out to the hospice representative if they were not already present. They will guide you through the necessary steps and notify the appropriate family members about the procedures to follow.

When a death occurs at a hospital/nursing home/hospice facility

When a death occurs in a care facility such as a hospital or nursing home, the staff will notify both you and the necessary authorities immediately. If a funeral home has been pre-selected by the facility, they will be informed at the time of death.

If you're present at the facility when the funeral director arrives, they will ask a few questions regarding the deceased's wishes and arrange a time to meet with you at the funeral home to finalize the arrangements. If you are not present, the funeral director will contact you by phone to discuss the next steps and make the necessary arrangements.

Informing a Funeral Director

Once all necessary procedures have been completed with the proper authorities, your next call should be to a licensed funeral director. Funeral directors are here to guide you through the essential steps following a death. They will assist you with:

• Obtaining a Death Certificate
  
• Transporting the Body
  
• Selecting a Casket or Urn (if pre-planning was not done)
  
• Arranging the Funeral or Memorial Service
  
• Notifying the Employer and Insurance Companies

Funeral directors are dedicated to easing the burden during this difficult time. They will handle the logistics and provide support, ensuring that every detail is taken care of with care and professionalism.

Meeting a Funeral Director

It’s important to meet with a funeral director 24-48 hours of a death to begin making final arrangements for your loved one. While deciding on these arrangements can feel overwhelming, especially when you're in an emotional state, funeral home staff are experienced professionals who will guide you through each step with compassion and care.

They will work tirelessly to ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible, helping you make decisions that honor your loved one’s life while relieving you of unnecessary stress.

What to bring?

• Clothes
  
• Insurance Policy/Policies
• Vital Information
• Cemetery Documents

Making Arrangements

First the Funeral Director will gather information required for the death certificate.  This includes:

• Full Name and Address
• Social Security Number
• Marital Status
• Race/Ethnicity
• Date and City of Birth
• Highest Level of Education
• Father’s Name, Mother’s Name (including maiden name)
• Name of Spouse (if married or widowed)
• Occupation and Employer

The funeral director will also need pertinent documents required to do all the legal paperwork, those documents may include:

• Beneficiary Designations
• Life Insurance Policies
• Military Discharge
• Pre-arrangements or any wishes
• Last Will

If no pre-planning has been done, necessary arrangements need to be made for the funeral service.  These include:

• Scheduling the location, date and time of the visitation and funeral service
• Selecting burial or cremation
• Choosing Funeral Products
• Arranging a cemetery plot
• Preparing an obituary notice
• Scheduling transportation arrangements

Personalizing Funeral Services to Honor Your Loved One:

A funeral director will guide you through every step of the funeral planning process, using your loved one’s wishes, needs, and desires as the foundation to create a meaningful and memorable service. From there, the service can be personalized to truly reflect the life and personality of your loved one.

Consider the special things that made them unique:

• Did they have a favorite sports team?
• What type of music did they enjoy?
• What activities were they known for or passionate about?

Recalling these memories can bring comfort during the grieving process and help create a service that beautifully honors their life. We are here to help you through every detail to ensure your loved one’s memory is celebrated in a meaningful way.