What To Do When A Death Occurs
There's a lot to handle when a death occurs, and it's okay if you don't know where to start. We're here to walk you through it, step by step.
Answers To Gather
The staff will likely ask these essential questions:
| What is the full legal name of the deceased? |
| Where is the deceased currently located? |
| Who are you? Where can I reach you? |
| Who is the next-of-kin? |
| Does the deceased have a pre-arranged funeral plan? |
Items To Gather
Please have these items ready for our meeting:
| A recent photo of the deceased |
| Clothing for the deceased |
| SSN and original birth certificate |
| Parent's names and mother's maiden name |
| Education, Marital and veterans status |
| Cemetery lot information |
Preparing Your Next Days
- Gather obituary information and service details
- Assign individuals to take turns greeting family
- Delegate the needs of the household
- Arrange for child care & hospitality
- Notify insurance companies and lawyers
- Notify the post office for mail forwarding
Preparation & Checklist
General Tasks
| Personal information for obituary |
| Notify family & friends |
| Evaluate the Will & right of disposition |
| Choose a charity for donation |
| Photographs and keepsakes for display |
Individual Planning
| Choosing Pallbearers (6-8 individuals) |
| Appointing Clergy (if desired) |
| Assigning speaker(s) for eulogy |
| Determine primary organizer |
Obituary Information
Please share the following information for a newspaper or online memorial page.
Information To Share
Full name(s), Gender Identification, Date of Birth & Death, Place of Birth, Previous & current residence, Parents' Names.
Areas To Discuss
Childhood/Growing up years, Employment, Passions, Hobbies, Character, Service Details.