When a Death Occurs
Immediate Steps to Take
The loss of a loved one is a difficult and emotional time. Knowing what to do when a death occurs can help ease some of the stress during this challenging period. Here are the immediate steps to take:
If Death Occurs at Home
If the death was expected and the person was under hospice care, contact the hospice nurse. If the death was unexpected, call 911. Emergency personnel will provide instructions on the next steps.
If Death Occurs at a Hospital or Care Facility
The medical staff will guide you through the initial procedures. They will ask for your funeral home preference so they can coordinate the transfer of your loved one.
Contact Our Funeral Home
We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our compassionate staff will guide you through the next steps and arrange for the transfer of your loved one into our care.
Notify Close Family and Friends
Begin notifying immediate family members and close friends. Consider asking someone to help you make these calls, as this can be emotionally draining.
What to Expect in the Days Following
After the initial steps are taken, there are several important matters to address in the days following your loved one's passing. Our team will guide you through each of these steps with compassion and care.
Arrangement Conference
We'll schedule a meeting to discuss funeral arrangements, including service options, burial or cremation preferences, and personalization details.
Gathering Information
We'll help you gather the necessary information for the death certificate, obituary, and other important documents.
Service Planning
We'll discuss options for personalizing the service, including music, readings, photos, and other meaningful elements.
Notifying Extended Family & Friends
We'll help you communicate service details to extended family and friends through obituaries, social media, and our website.
Creating an Online Memorial
We'll help you create an online memorial page where family and friends can share memories, photos, and condolences.
Grief Support
We'll provide information about grief support resources, including counseling services and support groups in our community.
What to Bring to the Arrangement Meeting
To help make the arrangement process as smooth as possible, please consider bringing the following items to our meeting:
Basic information about your loved one (full name, date of birth, place of birth, etc.)
Clothing for your loved one
Recent photograph for obituary and memorial purposes
Social Security number
Military discharge papers (DD-214) if applicable
Cemetery deed or information if applicable
Insurance policies or pre-arrangement documents if applicable
Don't worry if you don't have all of these items. Our team will work with you to gather the necessary information and documents.
Helpful Checklist
The following checklist can help you navigate the days and weeks following your loved one's passing. Our team is here to assist you with any of these tasks.
Immediate Tasks
Contact funeral home to begin arrangements
Notify immediate family and close friends
Arrange care for dependents, pets, and property
Notify employer of both the deceased and yourself if applicable
Begin gathering necessary documents
Following Days & Weeks
Obtain death certificates (we can help with this)
Notify Social Security Administration
Contact insurance companies
Notify financial institutions and update accounts
Contact attorney regarding will and estate matters
