WHAT TO DO WHEN A DEATH OCCURS
The death of a loved one
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
difficult 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 first 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
benefits that would help cover
funeral costs.
Be aware that signing a
contract for funeral services
will make you liable for the
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cost of the funeral. The decedent’s
estate or available
death benefits may cover final
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
specific 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, florists,
fraternal organizations and
memorial gift organizations
• Working cooperatively
with organ donation teams
• Preparing all legal documents
(death certificates,
burial transit/cremation
permits, medical examiner
certificates, reports of
death, social security and
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all Veterans Administration
benefits, and in some
instances filing 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 final
disposition
The 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