10 Things That Must be Done When Death Occurs
by There is a procedure must to be followed upon the death of a loved one. It’s better to be prepared beforehand.
1. The first thing to do if a loved one dies at home is to call your doctor. If the death occurs in a hospital or nursing home you will not need to contact the doctor. If the deceased wished to donate organs inform the hospital as soon as possible.
2. Next you will need to call all family members and close friends.
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3. Check to see if there is a prepaid package plan for a funeral, cremation, and grave site. Notify the funeral home and make the arrangements. Call immediately so the funeral director can prepare for the funeral or cremation and the memorial service.
4. You or other family members will have to choose a grave site if the deceased does not own one, choose a casket and vault, arrange for transportation to the cemetary, and If your loved one has left any final requests honor those whatever they may be.
5. Arrange for the minister, rabbi, or spiritual counselor to conduct the service. Inform that person as soon as possible so he can prepare for the rites and eulogy.
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6. You will have to provide information about the deceased for the obituary. The funeral director will contact the newspaper with the information.
7. Make arrangements for a wake or a Shiva house. You will need to arrange for food and drink if mourners are gathering at a house. Special preparations are expected for a Shriva house so ask your rabbi for details if necessary.
8. Get a death certificate. The funeral director will create the death certificate but you will need to get notarized copies. It is a necessary legal document when you are handling the deceased’s business affairs.
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9. Notify all the deceased business contacts. mortgage holder, banks, credit cards, and landlord. Call Social Security to inform them of the death and get the one time death benefit check for the deceased’s heirs.
10. Notify the lawyer, who will need to begin executing the deceased’s will.
Don’t attempt to take on all the responsibility. Let your family and friends help you. Allow yourself to grieve and acknowledge your loss in this stressful time. Remember to take care of your own health and well being.
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Post CommentFrancois Hagnere
On May 26, 2009 at 10:44 am
Congratulations, Ruby, for writing this courageous article. Everyone should speak openly about death, we will all face this. I just wish to add, if you are not a rich person and cannot pay all the expenses, ask Social Security and the services of your town for help. It is not a shame. Compare the prices because funerals are expensive and may differ from one company to another.
Pinaki Ghosh
On May 26, 2009 at 10:58 am
Very common yet useful article.
chris73
On May 26, 2009 at 11:00 am
Thanks Ruby. And i agree with Francois.
OhSugar
On May 26, 2009 at 11:13 am
This is a very informative article. Thank you for sharing it.
papaleng
On May 26, 2009 at 11:19 am
these advice or tips are very common but sometimes we forget them when the situation happens. Thanks for the reminder Ruby.
Kate Smedley
On May 26, 2009 at 11:21 am
So essential Ruby, it can be so difficult when a loved one has just died, never mind dealing with practical matters. I totally agree with Francois too, we are too shy of talking about death. Excellent article.
Jenny Heart
On May 26, 2009 at 11:33 am
Your article is filled with heartfelt emotion for all who must carry on.
Rask Balavoine
On May 26, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Of course it’s hard tpo keep your head and remember all this. That’s where a good undertaker is indispensible for keeping you on track. Well done for being practical.
101
On May 26, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Ruby,this is a well written very factual piece.I think its great for people in morn because it’s hard enough going through what you are,yet alone all the planing.which your facts can definatly help.Always,Gary La Buda
Christine Ramsay
On May 26, 2009 at 12:34 pm
This is an excellent article and a useful one to keep. I would never have known all the things that need doing in the event of a death. Thank you for this.
Christine
Annie Hintsala
On May 26, 2009 at 12:42 pm
I would also add, that any health and life insurance policies must also be informed, and also your loved one may have a package already purchased at a funeral home pre-paid, as well as a plot picked out at a cemetary.
Lisa Clayton Williams
On May 26, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Great information. When someone experiences the death of a loved one, it can be quite overwhelming…this article gives the essential advice one would need to follow…a great help! Thanks for sharing.
goodselfme
On May 26, 2009 at 12:55 pm
A tender subject handled so superbly.
Sotiris
On May 26, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Well written and informative article. I hope that noone here will have to follow those steps in the near future
Darla Cooke
On May 26, 2009 at 2:13 pm
A very informative article.
Lumpen Doodle
On May 26, 2009 at 3:35 pm
I think people nowadays have forgotten that death is a definate, and will happen. It’s good that you have put such an article together.
For all the grief and mourning, it’s the practical things which have to be done.
Well done.
Unofre Pili
On May 26, 2009 at 6:03 pm
An existential article maam. Nice.
Judy Sheldon
On May 26, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Ruby, we need to have our paperwork available for our loved ones when we pass. Working as I do for a call center and taking calls from people re. their utility bills you would be surprised how many people do not know the last 4 digits of a deceased loved ones social security no. or where to find them. They need to keep the lights on for other family members or to show the home but can’t talk about the account so we can’t help them due to the privacy law.
PR Mace
On May 26, 2009 at 9:22 pm
A sad fact we will all have to face. Thank you for the time you put into this article. I found it informative, well researched and well written.
Mr Ghaz
On May 26, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Great post!! ..I agree with you 100%..that’s really great advices b4 our death…well done and thanks for sharing this great work..
Ruby Hawk
On May 26, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Thanks everyone, it’s something we all need to know. We will have to take charge sooner or later. And Judy, we absolutely should have our social security number, bank accounts, stocks, credit cards and all of our information in a safe place that our nearest of kin knows about. I have my will and everything I can think that my children will need and I hope I haven’t forgotten anything.
Ramalingam
On May 26, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Very useful,must know and follow steps.Thank you
Daisy Peasblossom
On May 26, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Interesting point about the utilities. I made a file for my oldest son to keep all my vitals for just in case. However, that is something I had not thought about.
Eunice Tan
On May 27, 2009 at 1:00 am
Very suggestive article. Believe or not I forgot point no.1 when my father passed away in public holiday. It is really terrible.
chitragopi
On May 27, 2009 at 7:42 am
Good article- a guide to remember what one should do even when incapacitated by sorrow
Betty Carew
On May 27, 2009 at 10:16 am
Excellent article Ruby and one we all should be aware of . Death is another part of life and should be handled as anything else and well prepared for.
Jo Oliver
On May 27, 2009 at 11:34 am
another article with very much needed info. Death is sometimes sudden and unexpected and people just feel lost as to what to actually do.
NA Staffieri
On May 27, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Such difficult times, but we manage to get through them.
Thanks, Ruby.
Mary Patricia Bird
On May 27, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Very good, Ruby. If you get a good funeral home they will do just about everything. But one certainly can’t do it alone. Help from family is paramount. Good job.
Likha
On May 29, 2009 at 4:24 am
Thanks for the tips Ruby. When my father died, I was the only child out of 4 siblings at his deathbed. It was the family’s first major loss and I had to learn things by myself. I’m proud of what I accomplished for my family. On hindsight, I can say, it was a privilege I shall cherish forever.
C L Eckles
On May 29, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Thank you for writing this. Your information is very informative and takes everything into consideration — this is the perfect read for the first time widow, most definitely, because the advice is very practical.
DA Cournean
On May 29, 2009 at 9:22 pm
A subject that is difficult to think about, but it is best to be prepared with some knowledge. Thank you…
Lostash
On May 30, 2009 at 6:27 am
It certainly pays to be prepared for when the worst happens…some people really have no idea what to do. Useful.
hiho
On May 31, 2009 at 12:12 am
As an aged care nurse myself, we have policies and procedures as well as legal requirements that we must adhere to when a resident dies…we know what to do when someone dies. Some families wishes are ascertained but other families leave arrangements till the very last minute because they’re either in denial about their loved one’s impending death, they’re hoping for a miracle or they haven’t made adequate arrangements. Excellent reference Ruby, particularly for those families and carers who are providing palliative care at home. I particularly liked your mention of taking care of yourself because grieving for the family starts at the point of diagnosis and accompanying a loved one through a terminal illness can be an emotional roller-coaster. Loved this article.