What to do when a death occurs?
No matter if a death is sudden, or if it is something that was a long time coming, the loss of a loved one makes us feel emotional and overwhelmed. No amount of preparation can fully prepare you for the loss of a loved one.When faced with a death, knowing what steps to take can ease some of the uncertainty in this difficult time. Whether the passing occurs at home, in a care facility, or away from home, there are immediate actions that must take place.
When a Death occurs at home
If the person was not under hospice care or the death was sudden. The police will have to be notified immediately. The police will be dispatched to the home and will place the call to the coroner or medical examiner. If the coroner releases the body right away and no further investigation is needed, then the funeral home staff will be there to take your loved one into our care.
When a death occurs at a hospital, nursing home or hospice facility:
The staff of the care facility, will notify you when the death has occurred. If a funeral home has been provided to the hospital or nursing home, they will be notified at the time of the passing. If you are present at the hospital or care facility;
when the funeral director arrives, they will ask a few questions about the deceased's wishes and set up a time to make arrangements. If you are not present, a funeral director will contact you by telephone to discuss these arrangements.
When a death occurs away from home:
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When the death occurs within the United States, the family has the option to transport the body back to the home state or town. This usually requires the use of two funeral homes to provide a part of the services.
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Embalming is required to ship a body in most circumstances
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The first funeral home at the location of death will collect and prepare the body for transport and secure the necessary paperwork and death certificate for travel.
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The second funeral home will be in contact in working with the other funeral home to take care of the arrangements and provide the vital statistics for the death certificate. Then they will receive the body and conduct any services the family would like to hold.
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When a death occurs outside of the United States, the family can have the body returned to its home country. The preparation and shipment will be done according to the laws and customs of the country where the death occurred. Embalming isn’t widely practiced in other countries, however there are other methods to prepare the body for shipment.
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The family will also have the option to bury the deceased in the country where the death occurred or have the remains cremated and returned to the United States through the mail or air services with the family.
Death inside the United States
Death outside the United States
Arrangements Question Guide
First, the Funeral Director will gather information required for the death certificate. This includes:
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Full Name and Address
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Social Security Number
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Marital Status
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Race/Ethnicity
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Date and City of Birth
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Father’s Name, Mother’s Name (including maiden name)
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Name of Spouse (if married or widowed)
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Highest Level of Education
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Occupation and Employer
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If the person did not pre-planning at the time of arrangements the funeral director will go over the different service options. These include:
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Life Insurance Policies ( if available or active)
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Selecting burial or cremation
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Viewing
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Scheduling the location, date and time of the visitation and funeral/ Memorial service