Hospice Care
If your loved one was under hospice care, the hospice staff will handle the legal pronouncement of death.
When A Death Occurs
What happens next?
When a loved one passes away, many decisions need to be made during an emotional time. Here is a guide to help you navigate through the process with compassion and clarity.
Contact the Proper Authorities
Begin Making Arrangements
- Check for Pre-Planned Arrangements: Your loved one may have already made arrangements. Check for any documented wishes.
- Choose a Funeral Home: If there are no pre-planned arrangements, select a funeral home and meet with the funeral director to discuss options.
- Decide on Burial or Cremation: If the deceased’s wishes are not known, the family will need to decide between burial and cremation, and the type of service to be held.
- Plan the Service: Decisions include the time, date, and location of the service, selecting a casket or urn, drafting an obituary, choosing pallbearers, and deciding on the service specifics such as music, speakers, and officiants.
- Veterans: Contact the Veterans Administration to check for any available benefits if the deceased was active or retired military.
Documents Funeral Directors May Need
- Beneficiary designations
- Life insurance policies
- Military discharge papers (form DD 214)
- Social Security number
Taking Care of Personal Property
- Secure your loved one’s home and vehicle.
- Arrange care for any pets.
- Forward mail to a family member to handle the deceased’s estate.
- Inform the deceased’s employer about the death.
- Cancel any upcoming appointments your loved one had.
