Funeral Planning for an Unexpected Death

There are few things in life worse than the unexpected death of a loved one. How do you decide on something as important as final resting plans if you never had a conversation with your loved one about it? At such an emotionally devastating time, choosing caskets and filling out paperwork can seem utterly overwhelming. In the unfortunate event of an unexpected death of a loved one, here are the steps you should take to begin the funeral planning process:

Call the Funeral Home

One of the initial calls you’ll need to make after a death is to a funeral home. In the funeral industry, this is often referred to as the “first call.” During the call, the funeral director can offer guidance on the next steps you should take. According to Funeral Wise, you should be prepared to provide the following information to your funeral director:

• The deceased person’s name, Social Security number, address and phone number

• Time of death

• The current location of the body— full address and phone number

• Attending physician name and phone number

• Your full address and phone numbers

• Your relationship to the deceased

Arrange for Transportation

In most cases, your loved one’s body is initially transferred from the place of death to a local funeral home of your choosing. However, in cases in which the deceased passed away far from home, arrangements will need to be made to transport the body back to you for the funeral ceremony and burial. You will need to work with two funeral homes, one in the location where they passed away and another in the final destination where they will be laid to rest. The two homes will work together to coordinate transportation arrangements.

Make Ceremony Arrangements

Determining how to celebrate and honor someone’s life is one of the most difficult decisions in this process. If there is no record of your loved one’s final wishes, you should work closely with a knowledgeable and experienced funeral director to ensure you’re planning an affordable and memorable service. While some may opt for an informal celebration of life, others may prefer a traditional wake or funeral.

Plan for Burial

If cemetery property has not already been purchased, you will need to meet with cemetery officials to choose a burial plot. There are a few important questions to consider before purchasing a burial plot. You’ll need to know where you wish them to be buried, what type of plots are available in the cemetery, what type of marker or monument you need, and what you’re willing to pay.

Gathering with friends and family gives everyone the opportunity to share memories, express emotions, and find comforting support. Whether you choose burial or cremation; whether you select a formal funeral or a more relaxed memorial service, the need for acknowledgment of the loss with family and friends is ever present. Trinity Memorial Gardens can help you create a unique meaningful ceremony to express the genuine individuality of your loved one. Contact us today.