Meeting with the Funeral Director

Normally, you will need to meet with a funeral director within the first 24 hours of your loved one’s death to begin making arrangements. The following information will help you prepare for what is often called the arrangement conference.

Without a doubt, this is a difficult time for you and your loved ones. We hope it’s comforting to know that we will do our utmost to make this difficult time a little bit easier by guiding you as much or as little as you want and need. You are not alone.

Would You Like Someone to Go with You?

While it’s not necessary to bring someone with you, the moral support can be very beneficial. Perhaps, you should consider asking another member of the family, a friend, or a close neighbor to join you during our first meeting. Chances are they will be honored by your request and gladly step up to help you during this time.
 

Who is Responsible for Making the Decisions?

It’s important to know exactly who is legally responsible for making arrangement decisions for a loved one. If the deceased did not designate an agent to fulfill his or her wishes in a written legal document such as a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care or a Last Will and Testament, the chain of command is as follows:

• Legal Spouse / Partner
• Surviving Adult Child / Children
• Surviving Parent
• Surviving Adult Sibling
• Ex-Spouse
• Parent of Minor Child

The person designated as the responsible party needs to be present to make decisions and sign documents. If you have questions about the accepted kinship-related order of precedence or are unclear as to who is the responsible person, call us.

Should Someone Else be Included in Making the Arrangements?

While assigning responsibility is an important part of final arrangements, it’s also very important to include any children, friends, or other family members who would like to be involved  and perhaps share in the cost. Despite the fact that they may not have any legal decision-making rights, their input could be very valuable. If there are people who you feel should be asked to participate, make sure you ask them.

Have You Gathered the Necessary Documents?

Life and death are full of legalities. When a loved one dies, it is not just an emotional matter for those left behind; it is a legal one  requires the timely completion of paperwork. The first step in caring for your loved one involves completing and filing the Death Certificate and Cremation Permit. You will need to have all the pertinent vital information for the documents to be completed.

It is helpful to bring some of the following things with you:

• Deceased's Birth Certificate
• Deceased's Marriage Certificate
• Deceased's Military Discharge papers
• Deceased's Pre-arrangement documents (if available)
• Deceased Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
• Last Will and Testament and any Codicils
• Revocable Living Trust

If you have questions about any of the legal documents required, please contact us.