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