Losing someone you loved is one of the most difficult parts of life. No matter how prepared we try to be, saying GOODBYE to our loved ones is never so easy! The weeks and times that follow the death of the nearest one can be nothing short of torturous and everyone grieves in a respective manner.
While nothing will ease the pain or assuage the grief, having a well-planned checklist of the immediate step when a loved one dies can help, even if it is just a bit. To make the situation a bit simple, we are going to share with you a simple checklist that helps you navigate the difficult path after the loss of a loved one.
The Initial steps you need to take after someone dies
Obtain the legal pronouncement of death
If your nearest one died in a nursing home or a hospital where a doctor was present, the medical staff will handle all the matters. An official declaration is a very first step to getting a death certificate. However, when your loved ones die at home, especially if it was unexpected, you will require a doctor to declare the death.
The death certificate will be important for a number of things such as accessing the bank along with the other financial accounts, initiating the probate process if required, filing the claim on the insurance and tending to the private affairs. You will want multiple copies of the document that you get from a medical examiner or funeral home. Getting the legal document of death should happen soon after the passing, within a few days. This thing can vary depending on the state law!
Inform the necessary parties
Of course, you will have to inform the required parties of the passing. It can be difficult, however, try informing all the important people you know first.
In this age of social media, every piece of news spreads very quickly, and you do not want relatives and close friends to know the news passing from any social platform. Therefore, try to notify the following people, in this order-
- All the close relatives
- Coworkers
- Friends
- Professional relationships
- Employer
- Old friends
After informing the family, friends and other possible acquaintances, more formal calls need to be made. It involves telling anyone who would require to know about this death for either business or financial purposes.
Make the required arrangements for the body
A final arrangement that requires to be made will depend on the passing away’s last wish. In the best situations, you will know and can honour their vision since you will have a good understanding of what he or she actually wanted.
If the death was sudden and you have no clue about the death wishes, then it can become a bit difficult for you. Now that there are a number of options for services (open casket viewing? Memorial service, cremation, or graveside burial), the initial step is considering and arranging the following in the first place.
Transporting the dead body- The very first step of funeral planning is to get in touch with a funeral home to transport the body.
Ordering casket- As far as ordering a casket is concerned, it can be done through a funeral home. On the other hand, you can also order it online as well.
Finding a reliable funeral director- If the deceased was a religious, priest, pastor, or clergy member, then you should reach out to a non-denominational minister or ask a family member, or friend to conduct the service.
Make necessary arrangements for children and pets
If the dressed one has any dependents ( children who can’t take care of themselves) or pets, you need to make the necessary arrangements for them. If no trust or will has not been located, courts might require to get involved to make a long-term decision in regard to this.
Secure assets and carry out essential tasks
Securing the property and other assets is very necessary. Other simple but very essential to-dos involve mundane household chores like:
- Checking the mail
- Taking trash out
- Bringing newspapers and other deliveries
Opt for funeral planning
Though funeral planning will possibly be exhausting, it needs to be done in the first place. Follow the below-mentioned steps to ensure that everything you require to honour your nearest one. And it is essential to determine that it is OK to seek help!
Write the obituary– Writing an obituary can be hurting, however, it is cathartic as well. There are a number of resources to help you write an obituary. The best route is always heartfelt expressions.
Coordinate other funeral arrangements– Will you be opting for larger funeral planning? You will be required to determine if there will be a burial, how people will get service, etc.
Send Invites- Be sure people know the details of the service. It can be done through phone calls, messages, or emails.
Coordinate tasks like food, flowers and drink- You want to decide certain matters if you will have refreshments and food where you will have the gathering.
That’s all about immediate steps to take when your loved one dies. If you have any doubts or questions in your mind, make sure to resolve them by consulting a funeral; directory.
Conclusion:
The process of dealing with the death of a loved one is emotionally demanding. A funeral directors Shepton Mallet you can trust will take care of all the details related to your deceased family member, so you do not have to deal with any of these issues. Below are some tips to keep in mind.
