Contact the proper authorities
A legal pronouncement of death must be made before any arrangements can begin. If your loved one passes in a hospital or nursing facility, staff will handle this. If they pass at home, contact local emergency officials right away. Hospice staff can make the pronouncement for those under hospice care.
Begin to make arrangements
Once your loved one has been pronounced, you can begin contacting a funeral home. If your loved one made pre-arrangements, look into those first. Otherwise, you and your family will meet with a funeral director to discuss options — including burial or cremation, service type and location, casket or urn selection, obituary, pallbearers, officiant and music.
Inform family and friends
Reach out to immediate family first, then to extended family, friends, your loved one's employer, place of worship, and any clubs or organizations they were part of. Lean on close family and friends to help share the news.
Take care of yourself
Grief is exhausting. Eat, sleep when you can, and accept the help that people offer. Our team is also here whenever you need us — call any time, day or night.