Dealing with the practical matters following the death of a loved one can be overwhelming. During this emotional, incredibly difficult time, it can be helpful to
know how to begin navigating the necessary tasks and ensure important details are taken care of.
1. Notify authorities: If the death occurs at home or under non-medical circumstances, call emergency services or the local authorities to report the death. They will actually help
guide you on the next steps to take.
2. Inform close family members and friends: Contact immediate family members and close friends to inform them of the passing. Sharing the news sensitively and directly will allow them to process their emotions and offer support during this time.
Doing so also means that you may be able to get some help from family members so everything is not on your shoulders alone.
3. Arrange for care of dependents and pets: If the deceased had dependents or pets, ensure their care and well-being. Contact appropriate individuals, such as
guardians or family members, to provide support and temporary arrangements until long-term plans are made.
4. Contact the funeral home: It's always best to have funeral and burial arrangements worked out ahead of time, when you're less likely to be in a distressed
state.
When my mom died, my father was contacted by the medical facility she was already in. I immediately contacted the funeral home to let them know she had passed, and let them know the facility would be transporting her there.
We then told the medical facility to proceed with transporting my mother to the funeral home as previously arranged. They had all the details they needed and it was a seamless process, which was comforting because I (along with my husband and daughter) had to fly to New Jersey from our home in Wisconsin...so it was already a deeply emotional time for
us.
Because we were paying for my mom's funeral with funds from her life insurance policy, we had to have that paperwork. So, be sure you know where it is. Searching for something when you're upset can feel very overwhelming and frustrating.
If you don't have these details worked out, you'll have to reach out to a funeral home or mortuary to initiate the process of arranging for the transportation, preparation, and final disposition of the deceased.
Discuss funeral or memorial service options with the funeral home...and any pre-planned wishes the deceased may have had. Most funeral homes will help walk you through this process.
5. Reach out to the
insurance company: If your loved one had life insurance, the insurance company should be aware that your loved one has passed and that they will be contacted by the funeral home if this is applicable.
6. Notify the deceased's employer: If the deceased was employed, contact
their employer to inform them of the death. Once the funeral and memorial services are over, take a day or two. Then, call them back to inquire about any death benefits, outstanding wages, or insurance policies the deceased may have had through their employment to begin the initiation of that process.
7. Post on social media: Take a moment to review the deceased's privacy settings and decide whether to memorialize or deactivate the account.
Memorializing the account allows friends and family to remember the person while limiting access to personal information.
Consider sharing a brief message
announcing the passing on their (and/or your) social media profile, if appropriate, or designate someone to handle this task on behalf of the family.
8. Take care of yourself during this time and lean on the support of family and friends. Take moments to just breathe. Focus on one
step at a time. Try to be as calm as possible. Don't forget to eat, stay hydrated, and get some rest in between the tasks.
Of course, there will be other matters, financial and otherwise, to handle following the death of a loved one, but you can deal with those one at a time after the funeral and
burial.
