WHEN DEATH OCCURS AT HOME/BUSINESS – if the person was not under hospice care, the police will have to be immediately notified. When the police arrive, they will promptly place a call to the medical examiner/coroner. The medical examiner will then take charge of the remains and determine whether further action is necessary. When the body has been released from the medical examiner, the funeral director is then able to pick up the remains. If the person was under doctor’s care, contact the hospice representative if they are not present and they will notify the family members and let them know what the proper procedures are to follow.
WHEN DEATH OCCURS OUT OF STATE – if the deceased died out of state this will require both funeral directors of each state to coordinate the funeral. Edney has relationships nationwide to ship materials and remains. Call 610-586-8890.
WHEN DEATH OCCURS AT A HOSPITAL/SKILLED NURSING HOME/HOSPICE FACILITY – The staff of a skilled care facility, will notify you and the necessary authorities immediately after a death has occurred. If a funeral home has been provided to the hospital or nursing home, they will be notified at the time of death. If you are present at the hospital when the funeral director arrives, they will ask a few questions about the deceased wishes and set up a time to come into the funeral home to make arrangements however, if you are not present a funeral director will contact you by telephone to discuss these arrangements.
INFORMING A FUNERAL DIRECTOR – After everything has been cleared with the proper authorities, the next call will be to a licensed funeral director. The funeral director’s job is to file the necessary paperwork, help you obtain a death certificate, transport the body and arrange the funeral service. Funeral directors are here to assist and advise you and will work hard to relieve any stress involved in funeral planning.
MEETING THE FUNERAL DIRECTOR – Ideally you should meet with a licensed funeral director within 24 hours of a death. A great foundation for creating a memorable funeral for your loved one would be to personalize the service to meet your needs and desires. Did your loved one have a favorite song? Or sports team? What activities was your loved one known for? Recalling fond memories aids in the grieving process and helps to celebrate the life of your loved one.
When it is time to meet the funeral director, he/she will gather pertinent information required for the death certificate and make the necessary service arrangements.
This will include gathering the following information:
- Full legal name
- Current mailing address including township, borough, and county
- Social Security Number
- Date and city of birth including county of birthplace
- Race/ethnicity
- Citizenship status
- Father’s name, mother’s name (including maiden name)
- Informants full name, address, phone, email, Social Security Number and relationship to deceased
- Executors full name, address, phone, email, Social Security Number and relationship to deceased
- Marital status
- Name of spouse (if married or widowed)
- Name, town and city of children, grandchildren and siblings living and deceased
- Military service (branch/rank/dates of years served)
- Highest level of education
- Occupation and employer
- Memberships
- Church
- Memorial contributions
- Preplanning information (if applicable)
The funeral director may require important documents for preplanning or for legal paperwork