What to do when a death occurs
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | FEB. 25 - MARCH 3, 2022 29
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 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 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
COPING WITH DEATH
/QNS.COM
