FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM FEBRUARY 24, 2022 • THE QUEENS COURIER 31
coping with death
What to do when a death occurs
Th e 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 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.
Th e 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. Th e 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 off er
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 off ers.
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.
Aft er 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 certifi cates,
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
disposition
Th e 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
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