When Death Occurs

Obtaining a Legal Pronouncement of Death

Before proceeding with any arrangements or decisions, it is essential to obtain a legal pronouncement of death. If your loved one passes away in a medical or nursing facility such as a hospital or nursing home, the facility's staff will manage this process. However, if your loved one passes away at home, you must promptly contact local emergency officials to transport them to a hospital where they can be officially pronounced dead. Individuals who pass away under hospice care can be pronounced dead by hospice staff. This legal declaration is necessary before the family can proceed with making funeral arrangements or addressing any legal matters.

Managing Personal Affairs

Following the passing of your loved one, there are several practical matters to address concerning their personal affairs. Firstly, ensure the security of your loved one's property by properly securing their home and vehicle. If your loved one had a pet, arrange for their care with family or friends. Redirect any mail addressed to your loved one to a family member responsible for managing the deceased's estate, as accumulated mail at an unattended property may attract unwanted attention. Additionally, inform your loved one's employer of their passing and cancel any upcoming appointments they had scheduled.

Arranging the Service

Once your loved one has been declared deceased, you and your family can proceed with arranging the funeral. If your loved one had pre-planned any services, you should explore those options first. However, if no prior arrangements were made, and you have selected a funeral home for the services, you will need to contact them to schedule a meeting with the funeral director to discuss available options.

During this period, if the deceased did not express their final wishes, the family will need to make decisions regarding burial or cremation, as well as the type of service to be held. These decisions encompass the timing, date, and location of the service; the choice of casket or urn; composing an obituary notice; selecting pallbearers; and arranging the specifics of the service, such as the officiant, music, and speakers.

Important Information Needed

After meeting with the funeral director, they will inform you of any necessary information or documentation needed for obtaining the death certificate and proceeding with final arrangements.

Required Information:

• Full name and address
• Marital status
• Race/Ethnicity
• Date and city of birth
• Highest level of education
• Father’s name, mother’s maiden name
• Name of spouse
• Occupation and employer