There are several things that you will need to know when faced with a death.  If the person dies at home or place of employment, a family member or co-worker will need to contact emergency personnel and the person's physician if he or she was under a doctor's care.  When a death occurs in a hospital or another type of care facility, such as a nursing home, the facility's staff will notify you and the proper authorities.  When in the care of a Hospice program, a trained Hospice representative may give the family a set of instructions to follow.

In those first few hours...

You should contact a funeral home in which you trust.  Funeral arrangers are experienced and knowledgeable professionals who will help guide you and provide you with the necessary information you will need.

You will need to contact family members and friends as soon as possible.

Contact the clergyman or choice of spiritual advisor(s).

If the decedent is an organ donor, you will need to inform the hospital staff or the organization in charge.

Your initial call to the funeral arranger is to inform the arranger that a death has occurred.   At this time you may ask questions of course, but most of the information needing to be discussed will take place during your visit to the funeral home.  Your arranger will set up a date and time to meet with you at the funeral home and will also provide you with a list of what you will need to bring.  For a basic list, click here.

Your initial visit to the funeral home...

During your first visit to the funeral home, the arranger will provide you with a price list of the different types of services offered and guide you through the entire planning process.  We know that you want to create a memorable celebration of your loved one's life and we will be there to help assist you in this.

The arrangement process may include confirmation of the date, time and the location of the service and/or events, preparation of the obituary notice, and choosing the casket/urn and other items such as flowers.  Your arranger may also guide you through the preparation and filing of the death certificate with the state and also assist you with purchasing certified copies.  If your loved one has died in an accident, the county coroner or medical examiner may provide you with the death certificate.