What To Do After A Death In The Family
67 Things That Must Be Done
When there is a death, the family almost always experiences shock, grief, and a sudden change in their lives. The staggering number of complicated arrangements for a funeral and burial makes it even worse. And very few people are aware of the high cost and complexity of last-minute arrangements.
Here is a list of 67 things the survivors must face when there is a death in the family. It can either be used as a guide for planning a funeral, or as a list for advanced planning, sparing your family the burden and expense.
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Notify Immediately 1. The doctor or doctors 2. The funeral director 3. The cemetery 4. All relatives 5. All friends 6. Employer of deceased 7. Employers of relatives missing work 8. Insurance agents (life, health, etc.) 9. Organizations (religious, civic, etc.) 10. Newspapers for obituary Decide and Arrange Immediately 11. Select funeral director 12. Select cemetery 13. Purchase burial property 14. Select casket 15. Select vault 16. Arrange type of service (military, etc.) 17. Decide location of services 18. Select clergy to officiate 19. Provide information for clergy 20. Select flowers 21. Arrange for music and visitation 22. Select memorial 23. Provide obituary for newspaper 24. Answer calls, messages, and letters 25. Get addresses for thank-you cards 26. Meet with funeral director 27. Check and sign burial permit 28. Arrange for special memorial services 29. Check the will for special wishes 30. Order death certificate 31. Look after house and children Secure Vital Statistics 32. Name, home address, telephone number 33. How long in state
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34. Name of business, address, and phone 35. Occupation and title 36. Social Security Number 37. Veteran’s Serial Number 38. Date of birth 39. Place of birth 40. US Citizenship 41. Father’s name 42. Father’s birthplace 43. Mother’s maiden name 44. Mother’s birthplace 45. Religious name (if any) Collect Documents 46. Funeral certificate 47. Deed to burial property 48. Last Will and Testament 49. Legal proof of age or birth certificate 50. Social Security card or number 51. Marriage license 52. Citizenship papers 53. Insurance policies (life, health, etc.) 54. Bank books 55. Deeds to property 56. Bill of sale of car 57. Income tax returns, receipts, checks 58. Veteran’s discharge certificate 59. Disability and pension claims Pay for the Following 60. Funeral services 61. Memorials 62. Casket, vault, perpetual care 63. Burial plot, mausoleum, or niche 64. Opening and closing 65. Clergy 66. Church or temple 67. Transportation |
