If a death occurs unexpectedly, do not assume the person is dead. Contact 911 or your local emergency rescue service, whether it be a fire department or an exchange ambulance.

If an expected death occurs at home and the deceased is a hospice patient contact the hospice agency for further instructions. Once the hospice has been notified contact a funeral home and advise them that you have contacted hospice and you would like the funeral home to handle the arrangements. A funeral director is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The funeral home should ask you to call them back when hospice has made a pronouncement of death. The funeral director should allow the survivors time to be alone with the deceased. When survivors have had the opportunity to say their good-bye's the funeral director will bring the deceased to the funeral home. The funeral director will arrange a time for you to complete the arrangements.

If an expected death occurs in a hospital or nursing home the survivors will be notified and in most cases the survivors will have the opportunity to with the deceased one last time. In this case time is not critical but you may notify the funeral director of the death and request the removal of the deceased at any time of the day or night. When the funeral director is notified you will be asked for the name and address of the next of kin as well as the location of the deceased. Be sure to give your phone number so that you can be reached if there are any questions. You may also be asked some other related questions such as: Do you plan to have a viewing?; Do you give permission for embalming?; Have you thought about burial or cremation? See our Frequently Asked Questions Page for more information.

These questions need not be answered at this time but it is helpful if they can be answered. You will finally be asked to set up an appointment for completing the arrangements. Since many of us don't experience the death of a loved one for many years, it is difficult to know what information is needed and what items to bring with you to the funeral home when making arrangements. This list is all-inclusive regardless of the type of services requested. For example many items would not be needed if an arrangement without seeing the deceased was planned.

The following is information needed for the Completion of a Death Certificate:

Full name of your loved one _____________________________________
Last Address _________________________________________________
City, State, Zip Code____________________________________________
Gender of your loved one ________
Date of birth _______________ Age ________
Place of birth _______________________________
Served in U.S. Armed Forces? ______ If yes, when ________________
Social Security Number ________________________
Race _______________
If Hispanic, country of origin  __________________________
Education: Years of Elem./ Secondary ______ College ________
Usual Occupation ___________________________ (If retired, state longest occupation)
Kind of business or industry _____________________________________
Name and locality of company or firm ________________________________
Name of father ________________________________________
Maiden name of mother _____________________________________
Name of informant ______________________________________
Address of informant ______________________________________________
City, state, zip code of informant _________________________________

(The above is based on items needed for the New York State death certificate, other jurisdictions differ slightly)

Items to Bring with You to the Funeral Home:

Clothing for your loved one including undergarments
A Picture of your loved one
Jewelry (It can be returned to you after the funeral)
Personal items that can be placed in the casket or in viewing room
Deed to the cemetery (or at least grave location)
Insurance Policies (if you plan to assign proceeds to funeral home)

Items You May be Asked About:

Selection of prayer cards/service folders
Selection of floral arrangements
Selection of acknowledgement cards (thank you cards)
Selection of a register book for visitors to sign
Selection of a casket
Selection of an urn
Selection of a burial vault
Selection of a religious service
Selection of fraternal services
Number of days and hours of visiting
Use of limousines
Use of pallbearers
Disposition of ashes if there is to be a cremation
Obituary/Death Notice