When a Death Occurs
When someone we care about dies, whether the death is expected or unexpected, we find ourselves unprepared. The following are some guidelines as to the steps that need to be taken when a loved one dies. We have also included some suggestions on how to help a grieving friend.
General Guidelines
When someone dies, regardless of time or place, simply contact us. At this time, we will need to get some information from you, such as:
- The name of the deceased
- The place of death
- Your name and relationship to the deceased
- A phone number where you can be reached
We will set up an appointment time that is convenient for you and your family members to either come to the funeral home or have us come to your home to discuss the funeral arrangements.
What to Do In the Event of a Death?
- Death at Home. When someone dies at home and was not a hospice patient, call us. We will then notify the local police department. The police department has to be called in order to make out a report for the medical examiner or coroner.
- Death of a Person in Hospice. When a person dies at home and is a hospice patient, the family may call us and the hospice nurse, or wait for the hospice nurse to arrive and then call us. Prior to this time, the hospice nurse needs to pronounce the person deceased and receive a doctor's approval of the death. The police department does not need to be notified.
- Death in a Hospital. When someone dies in the Emergency Room or was a patient in the hospital, it is wise to call us. Some healthcare facilities will call on behalf of the family, but many times it is the responsibility of the family to notify us.
- Death in a Nursing Home. Call us and we will make arrangements with the nursing home to transport your loved one to the funeral home. If you are not at the nursing home at the time of death, leave instructions with the nursing home to call us in the event of death.
- Death Out-Of-State. When a person dies outside of Minnesota, call us first and we will make arrangements to have your loved one transported back to Minnesota for the funeral services. Only one call to us is needed. We will handle all the details for transportation and filing of the death certificate (required prior to shipping of the remains). If you call another funeral home first, unnecessary extra expenses are incurred.
For the Arrangement Conference
Information Needed- First, middle, and last [maiden, if married] name of the deceased
- Date and place of birth
- Social Security number
- Years of education
- Military record
- Marital status
- Father's full name
- Mother's full [maiden] name
- A recent photograph (preferably within the last 2 years)
- Glasses (if you would like them to be worn)
- Clothes for deceased to wear, including undergarments
- Stockings or socks and/or booties (shoes are optional)
- Jewelry
- Religious items (rosary, cross, or bible) if so desired.
Please note: If these items are not available, it is not necessary that you bring these to the funeral home for the arrangement conference. All these items can be brought at a later time.
Obituary-Death Notice
For the newspapers, we will gather information regarding life history, place of birth, place of marriage, residences, employment, and retirement to be listed in the death notice. Consider if you would like memorial gifts designated to a particular church, hospice, library, school, charity or organization.
When a spouse, family member or close friend dies, you may find yourself unexpectedly responsible for taking care of his or her final personal and business matters. Listed below are some of the tasks that need to be done.
People Who Need To Be Notified- Relatives
- Friends
- Employers (about life insurance and pension fund benefits, accrued vacation and sick pay, disability income and credit union balances)
- Employees
- Landlord (if deceased was living alone)
- Insurance agents
- Executor of estate
- Attorney
- Accountant regarding such matters as recording property deeds and the disposition of stocks, bonds and savings
- Unions, Fraternal Organizations and professional clubs
Decisions To Be Made Regarding
- Type of funeral service
- Date and time of funeral
- Site for service - i.e.: church or funeral chapel
- Time of visitation and service
- Persons to participate at the funeral service
- Clothing
- Music
- Prayers, songs, and scripture readings for service
- Estimated number of people for luncheon after the funeral
- Casket
- Cemetery lot
- Vault or outer burial container
- Memorial marker
- Flowers
- Number of death certificates to be ordered
- Memorial Folders/Thank You Notes/Memorial Tribute Video
Things That Need To Be Done
Important papers will need to be located, including contents of safe deposit boxes, business agreements, bankbooks, securities, certificates, real estate deeds, wills, recent income tax returns, W-2 forms, Social Security number, marriage and birth certificates, military discharge papers (DD-214), automobile registration and installment payment books.
It is important that you realize that when you call Parker Kohl Funeral Home and McRaith Funeral Homes you will be assured that we will professionally serve your family with dignity, care, and understanding. Together we will educate your family as to your funeral options, listen to your questions, and help facilitate a service that will create a meaningful memory for the family of your loved one.