When someone close to you dies, it can feel as if everything must be done at once. In fact only a few things need to happen in the first hours, and a funeral director can help with each of them.
- Make sure the death is confirmed. In a hospital, hospice or care home, the staff do this. At home, call the family doctor or the hospice nurse if the death was expected. If it was sudden or unexpected, call the emergency number (911 in the United States).
- Take the time you need. If the death was expected, there is usually no need to hurry. Many families sit together for a while before they call anyone.
- Call a funeral director. They will ask where your person is and how to reach you, and arrange to bring them into their care. You do not have to choose a funeral on this call.
- Tell close family and friends. Ask one or two people to help you pass the news on, so you do not have to make every call yourself.
- Look for written wishes. A will, a funeral plan or a note may say whether your person wanted burial or cremation, or a particular kind of service.
In the days that follow, the death is registered and a death certificate is issued. Ask for several certified copies: banks, insurers and pension offices often want to see one. Your funeral director can tell you how this works where you live.