A Death Has Occured
Who to Call First
Whether you received a 2 a.m. phone call with news of an unexpected death or shared your loved one's final moments of a long illness, your initial reaction to the death was likely shock. It doesn't seem to matter how prepared we are - or aren't - a loved one's death often leaves us feeling numb and bewildered. If you're responsible for making the funeral arrangements or executing the will, shock and grief can be immobilizing. Even simple decisions can be overwhelming.
Making the first phone calls
What to do first depends on the circumstances of the death. When someone dies in a hospital or similar care facility, the staff will usually take care of some arrangements, such as contacting our funeral home.
If the person, who has died is on Hospice, in Jackson County, you are to contact the Hospice nurse first, if the nurse is not already at the house. That nurse will need to take care of a few things and then the nurse will call our funeral home.
If the person, who has died, is not on Hospice, then in Jackson County, you need to call 911. The Jackson County Coroner office will need to then release the person to our funeral home. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us at 618-684-2101.
You will need to notify family, friends and clergy. It may be easier on you to make a few phone calls to other relatives or friends and ask each of them to make a phone call or two to specific people, so the burden of spreading the news isn't all on you. If you are alone, ask someone to keep you company while you make these calls and try to cope with the first hours after the death.
When Calling Our Funeral Home
Whatever the circumstances of death, we are here to help.
Just a few of the things that we take care of are:
transporting the body to the funeral home,
obtaining a death certificate,
assist you in selecting a casket or urn,
arranging the funeral, memorial and/or burial service,
preparing the obituary,
helping you notify the deceased's employer or pension,
Social Security, insurance companies, Veteran's Ad-
ministration, if a Veteran, and banks
or direct you to other resources.
If the deceased is still working, call the Employer
If your loved one was working, we will help you contact his or her employer. There might be benefits and any pay due, including vacation or sick time, disability income, etc. You or other dependents might be eligible for benefit coverage through the company. Then there might be a life insurance policy through the employer.
Contacting the Life Insurance Companies
Look through the deceased's paperwork for the life policy. Our funeral home will help you contact the agent or the company and help you file a claim. Usually the beneficiary (or the beneficiary's guardian, if a minor) must complete the claim forms and related paperwork. We will help you do everything!
Daily Grief Support by Email
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Weekly Email Tips to Support a Grieving Friend
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