WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES JULY 30, 2020 15
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
What to do when a death occurs
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