What To Do First: A Checklist

When a death occurs there are so many things to consider and decisions to make. These lists can help you navigate through them.

When A Death Occurs:

At Home: If the deceased was under hospice care, notify the hospice nurse. The nurse will contact the funeral home on your behalf. If the deceased was not under hospice or another at-home medical care provider, call 911.

At a Hospital: Notify the funeral home, the funeral home will then contact the hospital.

At a Hospice Facility: Notify the hospice facility which funeral home you have selected. The hospice staff will notify the funeral home on your behalf.

At a Nursing/Long Term Care Facility: Notify the staff as to which funeral home you have selected; they will notify the funeral home on your behalf.

Out of State/Out of the Country: Even if a death occurs away from home you should notify your local funeral home. Your local funeral home can help facilitate transportation and coordination with a funeral home where the death occurred.

Contact These People As Soon As Possible

The funeral home to set an appointment to make further arrangements.
Relatives and friends.
Employers (the employer of the deceased and of relatives who will need time off).
Insurance agencies (life, health and accident).
Religious, fraternal, civic and veteran’s organizations and unions (if applicable).
Lawyer and Accountant.

Secure Vital Statistics Of The Deceased

Full legal name – other names must be identified by “Also Known As” (AKA).
Date and place of birth.
Social Security Number.
Home address.
Father’s name and birthplace.
Mother’s name and birthplace, including maiden name.
Occupation and Industry
Level of education reached.

Documents To Collect

These may be required to establish rights for insurance, pensions, survivor benefits, ownership, etc.

Will.
Military discharge papers (discharge certificate or DD214).
Legal proof of age or birth certificate.
Marriage license.
Citizenship papers (if not a US Citizen).
Insurance policies.
Bank books.
Deeds.
Car ownership papers.
Income tax returns, receipts or canceled checks.

Discuss With Funeral Home

Whether your loved one is to be buried or cremated.
Service details (e.g. would you like a visitation period, a formal service, a reception?).
Clothing the deceased will be buried or cremated in.
If a member of the clergy will be engaged for the service.
Pallbearers, music, pictures, flowers, scripture or readings.
If you would like a charity to receive donations in memory of your loved one.
The funeral director will ask if you have made any arrangements with a cemetery. If you have not done this, you will need to visit the cemetery.

If Casket Burial

Would you like other members of the family to be with your loved one in the future? This determines the size and type of cemetery property needed.
What type of memorial would you prefer (a marker set flush with the ground, or an upright monument)?
If an in-ground liner or vault is required.
What type of presentation would you prefer for the burial service, e.g. a tent canopy or chairs.

If Cremation

Would you like to schedule a viewing or visitation prior to the cremation?
Would you like to use our chapel for a short service prior to the cremation?
Would you like your family to be present at the time of cremation? (This is called a Witness Cremation).
What type of urn would you prefer (metal, wood, marble, ceramic, biodegradable, etc.)?
What type of engraving would you like on the urn?
What type of final resting place would you prefer for your loved one (ground burial, above ground niches,
or scattering or placement of cremated remains in a cremation garden)?
Would you like other members of your family to be with your loved one in the future? This determines the size and type of the final resting place.

Burial Of An Urn

A burial urn or urn vault will be required for ground burial in some cemeteries.
What type of memorial do you prefer (e.g. a bronze or granite marker set flush with the ground, an upright monument, or a cremation bench)?

Above Ground Niches

Would you like the niche to be inside a building or outside?
Would you like the niche to be glass-fronted so that you can display personal mementos?

TIP: Determine the measurements of the niche to ensure the urn will fit properly.

Scattering

Would you like to be present for the scattering?
Would you like a permanent memorial to be placed in or around the area where scattering took place?

You Will Need To Pay For

Funeral arrangements, including clergy, florist, newspapers, transportation, casket and/or urn and other selected services and merchandise.
Cemetery charges (e.g. lot, opening/closing of the lot, vault or liner, selected headstone or other memorial).
Current and urgent bills (i.e. mortgage, rent, taxes, telephone, etc.).

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