What to do when Death Occurs
When a death occurs in your family, you may find yourself facing important tasks and decision-making during an incredibly difficult time. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to begin. Rest assured that you are not alone. Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services is here for you, available 24/7, 365 days a year, to provide assistance, guidance, and support. To help navigate through this process, we have compiled a list of steps that will guide you when a death has occurred. Your dedicated funeral director will be there to coordinate and assist with all the necessary details during your arrangement conference.
Notify Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services:
As soon as possible after a death, please contact us at 419-228-5474 or reach out to any of our locations. To ensure a smooth process, we may ask you some initial questions, including:
- Full name of the deceased
- Location of the deceased (Hospital, Nursing Facility, or Residence)
- Your name, address, and telephone number
- Name, address, and phone number of the next-of-kin
- Whether there is a pre-arranged funeral plan (If yes, please provide the plan name or number)
Schedule an appointment at the funeral home:
We will set a convenient appointment time for you to visit the funeral home and finalize the details of the funeral arrangement. During this meeting, we kindly request that you bring certain items and information that will be necessary to complete the arrangement. These may include:
- Clothing for the deceased
- Social security number of the deceased
- Birth date, city, and state of birth of the deceased
- Names of the deceased’s parents, including the mother’s maiden name
- Information about the deceased’s education
- Marital status of the deceased
- Veteran’s discharge papers or Claim Number
- A recent photograph of the deceased
- Pre-arrangement paperwork (if applicable)
- Cemetery lot information (if applicable)
Other important considerations:
In addition to the funeral arrangements, there are several other tasks that may require your attention:
- Contact your clergy and decide on a time and place for the funeral or memorial service (which can also be held at the funeral home)
- Determine the number of copies of the death certificates you will need, and we will assist in ordering them for you
- Make a list of family, friends, and business colleagues to notify, considering utilizing a “branching” system for communication
- Select an appropriate charity for memorial donations
- Gather obituary information, including a photo, age, place of birth, cause of death, occupation, college degrees, memberships held, military service, outstanding work, and a list of immediate family survivors. The funeral home can help write and submit the obituary to newspapers
- Coordinate food supplies in your home for the next few days
- Delegate household tasks, such as cleaning and food preparation, to friends and family offering their help
- Arrange for child care if necessary
- Plan for hospitality and accommodations for visiting relatives and friends
- Choose pallbearers and inform the funeral home (honorary pallbearers can be named for those with health concerns)
- Determine the disposition of flowers after the funeral (e.g., donation to a church, hospital, or rest home)
- Prepare a list of distant friends and relatives to be notified by letter and/or printed notice
- Send appropriate acknowledgments to those who have sent flowers, made calls, or offered their time
- Notify relevant insurance companies of the death
- Locate the will and notify the lawyer and executor
- Thoroughly review all life and casualty insurance policies and death benefits, including Social Security, credit unions, trade unions, fraternal organizations, andmilitary. Check on possible income for survivors from these sources
- Promptly address all debts and installment payments, including credit cards. Check if any insurance clauses can cancel them. If needed, discuss the possibility of extending payment deadlines with creditors.
- If the deceased was living alone, notify utility companies, the landlord, and the post office to redirect mail
Providing Love In Hard Times
Your Funeral Director will also assist you in preparing the necessary Social Security forms, ensuring that you have the support and guidance needed during this challenging time.
At Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, we understand the weight of these responsibilities and the emotional toll they can take. Rest assured that our compassionate team is dedicated to providing you with compassionate care, expert guidance, and assistance every step of the way. We are here to alleviate your burdens, allowing you to focus on grieving and supporting your loved ones. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns you may have during this process.
