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fulfilling the funeral arrangements. The supersede all others and make the funeral
funeral director is trained in embalming arrangements. The agent, having been
and restorative procedures required instructed by the deceased, in the form of
by a funeral home, for traditional open a legal document signed by the deceased
casket viewing by family and friends. and witnessed in accordance with Public
They arrange and provide an orderly Health Laws, will fulfill the wishes and will
series of events, culminating with the coordinate with the funeral director the
final disposition of burial, entombment arrangements set forth in the document.
or cremation. The funeral director’s The person signing the contract becomes
responsibility of properly filing the death responsible for the payment of the funeral
certificate in order to receive permission services performed.
for final disposition is the first step which
allows the family to begin the process What should I be prepared to provide
of settling estate matters. The director when going to the funeral home to
will advise the family as to the number make arrangements?
of certified death certificates needed to When making at-need or pre-need
begin the process, as well as advising arrangements, the family will need to
them on potential issues to be addressed provide information required for the
shortly after the final disposition. A death certificate. This information,
growing number of funeral directors are referred to as vital statistics consists of
trained as grief counselors and continue the following:
even after the funeral to help along in • Deceased’s legal name
the bereavement process. • Legal address
• Social security number
Who can make funeral arrangements? • Both parents’ names (including
In most cases it is the closest next of mother’s maiden name)
kin making the arrangements. On other • Date of birth
occasions, the executor or executrix of • Place of birth
a will is responsible. An agent having • Level of education
been appointed by the deceased will • If served in the military: years of
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