FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

What to do when someone passes away

The first few hours after a loved one passes away are important for making vital funeral arrangements, but for some people, knowing where to start is the trickiest part. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the death, whether is was at home, sudden or in a care facility or hospital, the procedure will differ slightly.

If the person passes away at home the first thing to do is call the appropriate emergency services (911 in the US or 999 in the UK) to report the death. They will start the appropriate procedures such as calling in the coroner for examination. If it is at a care home of home, then they will start the proceedings by contacting a funeral home for you.

Then contact other close family members and inform them of the situation. They may wish to help you make the funeral arrangements and provide moral support and comfort while organizing all the details. Also make a checklist before you start so that you don't miss any details.

Next, call a funeral director. As well as organizing the funeral itself, they can help with details such as obtaining a death certificate, selecting a casket and grave (or urn should cremation be taking place), selecting flowers, writing an obituary, grief support, among other important things. Check if your loved one has pre-planned their funeral. If they have, all you will need to do is carry out their wishes.

If they haven’t, then talk with family and friends and decide on the most appropriate and fitting service for the person. Check if anyone knew of any wishes the person had, such as cremation or burial; funeral requests for flower types or music; and any special requests you may not know about.

While you wont have to do the following straight away, it will need to be done relatively quickly so to get everything in order: You will need to call other people and organizations associated with the deceased, such as their employer (if they were working); life insurance company; and social security office. You will also need to find details of their personal and business dealings such as bank accounts, birth certificates, a will, business papers, tax returns, bill etc to clean up their final affairs.

This can be a stressful time, so make sure that you take time out for yourself and take care of your own emotional well-being. If you are able to, share the burden of making funeral arrangements with family members and make it less stressful for yourself.

© The Pink Fridge Online Magazine 2008 - Funerals