When Death Occurs

There are several things that need
to be considered when a death occurs.
The order in which things need to be done
usually depends on wherever the death occurred
at a residence, a public place,
a care center or in a hospital.

Today, a large number of people choose to be at home,
with Hospice or a Home Health Care provider
assisting the family until the death occurs.
Usually the family will notify Hospice of the provider
and Hospice will notify the proper people in the correct order.
   
They will contact the physician, the Medical Examiner's office,
and they will call the funeral home.
The Medical Examiner's office needs to be notified to all deaths
that occur in a home.
With Hospice or a Home Health Care Provider involved,
a simple phone call is the only notification that the Medical Examiner needs.
The Medical Examiner will not need to come
to the residence to review any information.
If Hospice or a Home Health Care Provider is not involved,
but the person is under a physicians care,
and family or friends are present,
the family may want to call the funeral home directly.
If 911 is called and an ambulance responds,
the ambulance crew needs to notify the police
who will then need to come to the residence.
The police will then have their normal investigation that they will need to follow
through with before calling the funeral home.
However, if the family calls the funeral home first, the funeral home will notify
the proper authorities by a phone call
and no police agency will need to come to the residence.z

 

• If the death occurs in a residence and no one is there at the time of death,
the police will need to be notified and respond to the residence
before the deceased is removed from their home.
 

• If the death occurs in a hospital or care center,
the name of the funeral home may be left with them,
and the institution will notify the funeral home at the time of the death.
The funeral home will respond and,
at the next practical time, review matters with the family.
 

• If in any case the death should occur and you are not sure
of who to notify or what to do,you may call your funeral home
and they will assist you in notifying the proper agencies.
 

There are several other questions that you may have in regards
to the death of your loved one, such as do I have to have embalming,
do I need to purchase a casket, what about cemetery arrangements,
does the family have a minister, do we want cremation, visitation,. . . ?
 

These are some of the additional questions that you may have once the death occurs.
By contacting us we will be able to assist you in answering
any of your questions at any time you call.
However, one of the best ways to make sure that all of your questions and desires for
  type of service you yourself have in mind,
is by taking the time to make pre-arrangements.
This may be as simple as outlining your wishes
to having all of the details written down and the financial arrangements prepaid.