What to do when a death occurs
The death of a loved one
COURIER LIFE, JULY 31-AUGUST 6, 2020 19
can be an overwhelming
experience.
In many cases, survivors
are trying to cope with their
grief as well as arrange a funeral
service. It is enormously
helpful at this diffi cult time
to rely on the advice of a specially
trained, licensed funeral
director.
Most families will call on
the same funeral director
they’ve turned to in the past to
help them arrange the funeral.
If there is no family funeral
director, it is a good idea to secure
recommendations from
friends or neighbors, or use
the NYSFDA Find A Funeral
Home feature to search a decedent’s
neighborhood.
The fi rst step is to call the
funeral home for a conference
to begin the process.
If a death occurs in another
city, state or country away
from home, it is best to call
your hometown funeral director
to make the necessary arrangements.
Before making any arrangements,
determine if the
deceased left instructions
about his or her funeral, or
purchased or prepaid funeral
or cemetery arrangements.
Funeral arrangements
made prior to death should be
honored.
Preplanning one’s funeral
is a growing trend that ensures
peace of mind and relieves
the individual’s loved
ones of a decision-making process
at a stressful time.
Be sure to check if the deceased
is entitled to death benefi
ts that would help cover funeral
costs.
Be aware that signing a
contract for funeral services
will make you liable for the
cost of the funeral. The decedent’s
estate or available death
benefi ts may cover fi nal costs.
It is important to check with
your family attorney.
By law, funeral directors
must offer accurate price information
to people making
inquiries over the telephone
regarding funeral costs.
If you visit the funeral
home, the funeral director
will give you a written, itemized
price list with all the specifi
c goods and services the funeral
home offers.
It is good to remember that
it is entirely up to the family to
make the selections for a personalized
ritual to meet their
emotional needs anwwd economic
situation.
After the arrangements
have been agreed upon, the funeral
director will provide a
written statement showing the
total cost of each item selected.
In addition to removing
the deceased from the place of
death and caring for the body,
the funeral director will arrange
all details of the funeral
service which may include the
following:
• Contacting clergy and arranging
an appropriate time
and place for the services
• Writing and distributing
obituaries
• Contacting the cemetery/
crematory staff, fl orists, fraternal
organizations and memorial
gift organizations
• Working cooperatively
with organ donation teams
• Preparing all legal documents
(death certifi cates,
burial transit/cremation permits,
medical examiner certificates,
reports of death, social
security and all Veterans Administration
benefi ts, and in
some instances fi ling insurance
paperwork)
• Providing an emotionally
and spiritually comforting environment
for visitation and
life celebration services
• Transporting family and
friends in a funeral procession
to the place of fi nal dispositionThe
funeral director
provides quiet support to the
family during a time of great
emotional stress, and attends
to all aspects of the funeral
service in a professional and
caring way.
Always remember that any
questions you may have may
be directed to your local funeral
director.
Courtesy of NYS Funeral
Directors Association
COPING WITH DEATH
JOHN J. HEALEY FUNERAL HOME
“Serving Brooklyn Since 1904”
2005 West 6th Street
718-743-1388
Visit us at: www.JohnJHealey.com
Manager: John LaGreca
John J. Healey Funeral Home is owned by Service Corporation International
1929 Allen Parkway, Houston Tx. 77019 713-522-5141
Visit us at: www.cusimanoandrussofuneralhome.com
Visit us at: www.cusimanoandrussofuneralhome.com
Visit us at: www.cusimanoandrussofuneralhome.com
/www.JohnJHealey.com
/www.cusimanoandrussofuneralhome.com
/www.cusimanoandrussofuneralhome.com
/www.cusimanoandrussofuneralhome.com
/www.JohnJHealey.com
/www.cusimanoandrussofuneralhome.com
/www.cusimanoandrussofuneralhome.com
/www.cusimanoandrussofuneralhome.com