Losing a loved one is always difficult. Focusing on what to do after the loved one has passed is even more difficult. There are many issues to address and many friends and family coming into town, which have to be dealt with on top of the grief you’re experiencing from the loss. To help you stay grounded as you’re experiencing a whirlwind of emotions, simply focus on these four tasks at hand, and the process will be much easier.
4 Important Tasks After Losing a Loved One
1. Inform family and friends of the passing.
This one may seem obvious, but people will be very hurt if they are overlooked when everyone else is being informed of the death, especially if they are not notified in time for the viewing and funeral. If someone you love is sick or nearing their time of passing, start making a list now of family and friends that need to be notified. Consider even making a phone tree so that you are not burdened with making all of the phone calls yourself. When it comes time to make the calls, send the phone tree to those you are assigned to call so that they can inform the next people about the subsequent round of calls they need to make. This will greatly lighten your load!
2. Make funeral arrangements.
Many people explore funeral homes before one’s time of death to ensure that the funeral home has experience in the type of funeral they desire. Some people will even compare costs ahead of time. In other situations, there is no time to visit various funeral homes, and so the initial consultation can be conducted via telephone if necessary. If you are considering a funeral home in Deltona FL, or other city, and you know the cemetery of choice, then start by asking them which funeral home they recommend. Once these arrangements are made, a minister must be selected and the funeral service must be planned. Some people choose to conduct a formal funeral, while others conduct a more informal “celebration of life.”
3. Prepare to greet arriving family.
This may also seem obvious, but people often forget that loved ones coming from out of town are not familiar with the area. They will need hotel recommendations, directions, information about airport pickup and rental cars, etc. Some relatives may want to stay at your home or the home of another family member, so it’s important to think this through ahead of time, as possible.
4. Notify banks and government agencies.
It’s important to remember all of the organizations that need to be notified of the death as well, such as the deceased person’s employer, bank(s), Social Security Administration, insurance companies, the post office, and utility companies. Accounts will need to be transferred and services cancelled. Be sure to have multiple copies of the death certificate on hand.
Baldauff Family Funeral Home is a funeral home in Deltona, FL that provides the quality and experience you’re looking for in a funeral home.