email:  whitpresby@mindspring.com

Help With Funerals

NOTIFYING THE MORTUARY WHEN DEATH HAS OCCURRED

When death has occurred and the family has chosen a mortuary, someone will need to notify the mortuary.  The following information is needed prior to the mortuary personnel going to the residence or hospital.

A.  The name of the decedent

B.  Location of the decedent (i.e., residence, convalescent hospital, hospital)

C.  Person who is calling and a telephone number where they can be reached.

D.  Date of death.

E.  Time of death.

F.  Attending physicians information:  Name, address, telephone number.

G.  Last date seen by physician.

H.  Next of kin information:  name, address telephone number.

I.  Other family notified of the death.

J.  Embalming authorization if applicable.

K.  Setting an appointment time to meet with a mortuary counselor to make other final arrangements.

ITEMS THE FAMILY WILL NEED TO BRING IN:

A.  Social Security number of decedent.

B.  Place of birth of decedent.

C.  Clothing for burial.

D.  Recent photograph for hairstyle and complexion.

E.  Veteran’s discharge papers if applicable.

F.  Deed to cemetery property.

G.  Pre-planned funeral documents if applicable.

 Removal of the Decedent from the home

1.  Two people from the mortuary should always respond to a residential death.

2.  If any information is missing from the telephone notification, this will be the time that these same questions will be asked and verified.

 MAKING THE FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

The family needs to schedule an appointment to meet with a mortician to make the arrangements for the funeral or other type of service or disposal of the remains.  The following will need to be considered.

A.  Type of service:  church service, chapel service, graveside service.

B.  Memorial service, with no viewing of the decedent.

C.  Selection of burial property or other site appropriate to the family’s wishes.

D.  Selection of a casket, if appropriate.

E.  Selection of a burial vault, if appropriate.

F.  Arranging for a minister or other officiant.

G.  Arranging for music, if desired, including organist, vocalist, etc.

H.  Arranging for visitation times if desired.

Thanks to Rose Hills for the above information.