Hundreds of funerals take place each day in the United States. Despite how common these occasions are, the planning process can be confusing even for those who’ve had previous experience in such matters. Understanding just which steps to take following the death of a loved one can help to clear up some of the turmoil in an already unnerving time. From notifying the appropriate people to taking care of the estate after the funeral, several details will come into play.
Contacting the Right People
If a loved one passes away at home without an attending medical professional, law enforcement officials and the local coroner need to be called in. The person in charge of the deceased’s estate should be notified immediately as well. If the person passes away in a medical facility, staff members will usually make these calls. From there, arrangements must be made to have the body transferred to one of the Funeral Homes in Bel Air.
Close friends and relatives will also need to be notified. In many cases, calls only need to be made to those closest to the deceased. Word will typically spread, and there’s no harm in asking those you contact to call others to pass along the news.
Making Arrangements
In the event the deceased made prior arrangements for his or her funeral, all the details will already be in writing for funeral directors to follow. Otherwise, family members will need to make arrangements. These include selecting a casket and flowers, scheduling the viewing and service, securing a burial plot, choosing someone to preside over the service, and other aspects. No two funerals are the same, and a funeral director can help iron out the specifics.
Estate Handling
One of the first matters to attend to is calling the life insurance company regarding death benefits. Funeral Homes in Bel Air provide death certificates as proof for claims. Copies of the death certificate should also be sent to financial institutions where the deceased held accounts. If an attorney is involved in the process, he or she is likely to have all the information necessary to proceed with settling the deceased’s estate.
These are only general guidelines to follow. Individual circumstances vary greatly, but the staff of Evans Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services is on hand to provide further assistance and advice. Feel free to browse the website to learn more.
