WHAT TO DO WHEN DEATH OCCURS?
When a death occurs in your family, you will be faced with important tasks and decision-making during a very difficult time. You may not know what to do or when to begin making arrangements. Bearing the responsibility can be overwhelming. Remember that you are not alone. Our staff is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to assist you with the details and offer our guidance. We have compiled the following list to help guide you through the steps you will need to take when a death has occurred. Your funeral director will help coordinate all of the details when you meet for an arrangement conference.
1. After a death has occurred, notify GARY MEMORIAL CHAPEL by calling (614) 235-GARY (4279). We will help coordinate all of the services and begin to help plan thelife celebration and tribute of the person you love. We will guide youand assist you in arranging service details that truly reflect who yourloved one was as a person. It is our feeling that services should be atribute to their life so as to be meaningful to you now and in theyears to come.
The following are some questions that we may ask when you call:
* What is the full name of the deceased?
* What is the location of the deceased (Hospital, Nursing Facility or Residence)?
* What is your name, address and telephone number?
* What is the name, address and phone number of the next-of-kin?
* Is there a pre-arranged funeral plan? (If yes, what is the plan name or number?)
We will then set an appointment time for you to come to the funeral home to complete the details of the funeral arrangement. We will ask you to bring in some items and information that will be necessary to complete the arrangement. By gathering this vital information for your Funeral Director helps in completing all the various, required forms.
The vital information includes:
* Clothing for the deceased
* Social security number of the deceased
* The deceased's birth date and city and state of birth
* The deceased's parents names, including mother's maiden name
* Information about the deceased's education and occupation
* Marital status of the deceased
* Veteran's discharge papers (DD214) or Claim Number
* A recent photograph of the deceased for news paper and or programs
* Pre-arrangement paperwork (if applicable) (Please note that your family is ABLE to transfer your preneed to a different funeral home if they so chose; We honor previously made irrevocable pre need arrangements from other funeral homes.)
* Cemetery lot information ( and/or vault information if applicable)
2. Consider ways in which you may want to honor your loved one. Reflect on their life’s work, their passions, hobbies, interests, spirituality and accomplishments. During the arrangement conference, feel free to share those ideas so that we can help plan a celebration most fitting to your wishes. It is our honor to assist you. We want the service to be as personable and meaningful as you would like.
3. Once you meet with the funeral director at GARY MEMORIAL CHAPEL, they will compose (with information you provide) the newspaper notice; contact clergy if appropriate; schedule the services; and coordinate all the details to ensure your loved one’s tribute is personal and meaningful.
4. Contact your clergy. Decide on time and place of funeral or memorial service. This can be done at the funeral home or the church affiliate of your choosing. If you do not have a minister, GARY MEMORIAL CHAPEL have several ministers who have offered to be utilized for families who may have a need of their services. We recognize that spirituality is important to some and will accommodate you in that fashion.
5. GARY MEMORIAL CHAPEL will assist you in determining the number of copies of the death certificates you will be needing and can order them for you.
6. Make a list of immediate family, close friends and employer or business colleagues. Notify each by phone.
7. Decide on appropriate memorial to which gifts may be made (church, hospice, library, charity or school).
8. Gather obituary information, including age, place of birth, cause of death, occupation, college degrees, memberships held, military service, outstanding work, list of survivors in immediate family. Give time and place of services. GARY MEMORIAL CHAPEL will normally write an article and submit it to the local newspaper and any out of town newspapers you request.
9. Arrange for members of family or close friends to take turns answering door or phone, keeping careful record of calls.
10. If Social Security checks are automatic deposit, notify the bank of the death.
11. Coordinate the supplying of food for the next several days.
12. Consider special need of the household, such as cleaning, etc., which might be done by friends.
13. Arrange for child care, if necessary.
14. Arrange hospitality for visiting relatives and friends.
15. Select pallbearers and notify the funeral home. (Avoid anyone with heart or back difficulties, or make them honorary pallbearers).
16. Plan for disposition of flowers after funeral (church, hospital or rest home).
17. Prepare list of distant persons to be notified by letter and/or printed notice, and decide which to send to each.
18. Prepare list of persons to receive acknowledgments of flowers, calls, etc. Send appropriate acknowledgments (can be written note, printed acknowledgments, or some of each). Include "thank you's" to those who have given their time as well.
19. Notify insurance companies. We do take assignments to make the financial obligation a little easier. Please bring the insurance paperwork with beneficiary information if known.
20. Locate the will and notify lawyer and executor. A lot of times, this can not be done until after the service and a death certificate has been filed.
21. Check carefully all life and casualty insurance and death benefits, including Social Security, credit union, trade union, fraternal, and military. Check also on income for survivors from these sources.
22. Check promptly on all debts and installment payments, including credit cards. Some may carry insurance clauses that will cancel them. If there is to be a delay in meeting payments, consult with creditors and ask for more time before the payments are due.
23. If deceased was living alone, notify utilities and landlord and tell post office where to send mail.
24. GARY MEMORIAL CHAPEL will prepare Social Security Form SSA 721. It is currently automatically done through the electronic death records system (EDRS). Check with Social Security to see that number is retired.
25. Take a big deep breath knowing that you have entrusted your loved one to GARY MEMORIAL CHAPEL where you will be receiving the utmost care and respect that you and your loved one so rightfully deserve.
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