Page 11 - Powell Funeral Guide
P. 11
When death occurs at home or a place logistics involved in funeral planning.
of business
If the person was not under hospice Meeting a funeral director
care, the police will have to be notified You should meet with a funeral director
immediately. The police will be dispatched within 24 hours of a death to begin to make
to the home and place the call to the final arrangements for your loved one.
coroner/medical examiner. From there Deciding on these final arrangements may
the coroner/medical examiner will take seem like a very daunting task, especially
the body and determine whether further when you are in a heightened emotional
action is necessary. The coroner/ medical state, but funeral home staff have years
examiner must release the body before of experience dealing with these issues,
a funeral home can do anything. If the and strive to ensure everything goes as
person was under hospice care, contact smoothly as possible.
the hospice representative if they were
not present and they will notify family Making arrangements
members what the proper procedures First the funeral director will gather
are to follow. information required for the death
certificate. This includes:
When a death occurs at a hospital/
nursing home/hospice facility • Full Name and Address
The staff of a care facility such as a hospital • Marital Status
or a nursing home will notify you and the • Race/Ethnicity
necessary authorities immediately after a • Date and City of Birth
death has occurred. If a funeral home has • Highest Level of Education
been provided by the hospital or nursing • Father’s Name, Mother’s Name
home, they will be notified at the time of (including maiden name)
death. If you are present at the hospital • Name of Spouse (if married or
when the funeral director arrives, they may widowed)
ask a few questions about the deceased’s • Occupation and Employer
wishes and set up a time to come into
the funeral home to make arrangements. The funeral director will also need
However, if you are not present a funeral pertinent documents required to do all
director will contact you by telephone to the legal paperwork, these documents
discuss these arrangements. include:
Informing a funeral director • Account Statements
Once everything has been cleared with • Beneficiary Designations
the proper authorities, the next call you • Life Insurance Policies
place should be to a licensed funeral • Real Estate Deeds
director. Funeral directors are here to • Car and Boat Deeds
help you obtain a death certificate, • Stock and Bond Certificates
transport the body, and in the event pre- • Pre-Nuptial Agreements
planning was not done, select a casket/ • Post-Nuptial Agreements
urn and arrange the funeral/memorial • Loans and Leases
service. The funeral director will also help • Copies of Bills (Hydro, Cable, Phone
you notify the employer and insurance etc.)
company of the deceased to assist with • Last Will
those arrangements. Funeral directors • Tax Returns
are here to help and advise you and will
work very hard to relieve the stress and
Powell Funeral Home, Inc. - Page 11
