Notes in knowing what to do when someone dies

One of the most emotional times in your life is the death of a loved one, and it can be stressful arranging a funeral but there are ways to make the process easier.

Having a funeral planning checklist ensures you can do everything that is required without leaving anything out in the confusion that sometimes accompanies such events. First, you need to notify the relevant authorities. If the deceased passed on anywhere else other than in a nursing home or hospital, it is the family’s responsibility to notify the local authorities and complete a death certificate.

Choose an appropriate funeral home. This has to be in direct correlation to the budgeted cost of the funeral. If the deceased had a specific wish that they wanted to be made upon their death that relates to where they wanted their body kept before their funeral, this should be followed completely.

If there isn’t a will specifying a funeral home, then it is up to family to choose this. It must be clear who will pay for these costs and how that payment will be made.
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Next, the funeral planning check list should provide for a meeting of friends and relatives to discuss the actual formalities. Iron out the logistics on people coming for the funeral from further away areas. This would entail facilitating accommodation at a nearby hotel or arranging hosting by persons that live near the funeral venue.

Communicate dates and times to everyone and for every key event once it has been agreed upon. Many people post a eulogy in the obituaries in the newspaper, but it is nowadays difficult as not everyone reads the newspaper. Follow up with a phone call for family and close friends.

The funeral planning check lists should include identifying the person that will read the eulogy. Most families settle for a member of the immediate family, a close friend or a religious leader. The person given this task should be told well in advance so that they can make the necessary preparation.

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