There are several things that need to be considered when a death occurs. The order
in which things need to be done usually depends on wherever the death occurred at
a residence, a public place, a care center or in a hospital.
Today a large number of people choose to be at home with Hospice or a Home Health
Care provider assisting the family until the death occurs. Usually the family will
notify Hospice of the provider and Hospice will notify the proper people in the
correct order. They will contact the physician, the Coroner's office, and they will
call the funeral home. The Coroner's office needs to be notified to all deaths that
occur in a home. With Hospice or a Home Health Care Provider involved, a simple
phone call is the only notification that the Coroner needs. The Coroner will not
need to come to the residence to review any information.
If Hospice or a Home Health Care Provider is not involved, but the person is under
a physicians care, and family or friends are present, the family may want to call
the funeral home directly. If 911 is called and an ambulance responds, the ambulance
crew needs to notify the police who will then need to come to the residence. The
police will then have their normal investigation that they will need to follow through
with before calling the funeral home. However, if the family calls the funeral home
first, the funeral home will notify the proper authorities by a phone call and no
police agency will need to come to the residence.
- If the death occurs in a residence and no one is there at the time of death, the
police will need to be notified and respond to the residence before the deceased
is removed from their home.
- If the death occurs in a hospital or care center, the name of the funeral home may
be left with them, and the institution will notify the funeral home at the time
of the death. The funeral home will quickly respond and at the next practical time,
review matters with the family.
- If in any case the death should occur and you are not sure of who to notify or what
to do, you may call your funeral home and they will assist you in notifying the
proper agencies.
There are several other questions that you may have in regards to the death of your
loved one, such as do I have to have embalming, do I need to purchase a casket,
what about cemetery arrangements, does the family have a minister, do we want cremation,
visitation, etc? These are some of the additional questions that you may have once
the death occurs.
By contacting Frederick Dean, we will be able to assist you in answering
any of your questions at any time you call. However, one of the best ways to make
sure that all of your questions and desires for type of service you yourself have
in mind, is by taking the time to make Pre-Arrangements. This may be as simple as
outlining your wishes to having all of the details written down and the financial
arrangements prepaid.