Immediate Funeral Needs: Getting Started

Where to Start

When the death of a loved one occurs, there are many arrangements to make. Often, survivors don't know where to begin, so we have assembled some information to help you in your time of need.

Make an appointment with the funeral home. The funeral home will help coordinate arrangements with the cemetery. With one phone call to a Mission Park Mortuary you can arrange to make all funeral plans at one time with a caring & understanding counselor.

Review this checklist of documents and information that will be needed when you visit the funeral home:

• Birth Date
• Birthplace
• Decedent's Social Security Number
• Father's Name
• Father's Place of Birth
• Mother's Full Maiden Name
• Mother's Place of Birth
• Marital Status
• Education
• Military Discharge Papers (DD 214)
• Durable Power of Attorney Health Care
• Name of Family Clergy and Church (please include address and telephone number)
• Clothing (Including undergarments. Please avoid low necklines and sleeveless fashions)
• Current Color Photo
• Obituary Information
• Financial Payment
• Life Insurance

Contact your clergy. Decide on time and place of funeral or memorial service. This can be done at the funeral home.

The funeral home will assist you in determining the number of copies of the death certificates you will be needing and can order them for you.

Make a list of immediate family, close friends, and employer or business colleagues. Notify each by phone.

Decide on appropriate memorial to which gifts may be made (church, hospice, library, charity, or school).

Gather obituary information, including age, place of birth, cause of death, occupation, college degrees, memberships held, military service, outstanding work, and list of survivors in immediate family. Give time and place of services. The funeral home will normally write article and submit to newspapers (newspaper will accept picture and it will be returned intact).

Arrange for members of family or close friends to take turns answering door or phone, keeping a careful record of calls.

If Social Security checks are automatic deposit, notify the bank of the death.

Coordinate the supplying of food for the next several days.

Consider special needs of the household, such as cleaning, etc., which might be done by friends.

Arrange for child care, if necessary.

Arrange hospitality for visiting relatives and friends.

Select pallbearers and notify the funeral home. (Avoid anyone with heart or back difficulties, or make them honorary pallbearers).

Plan for disposition of flowers after the funeral (church, hospital or rest home)

Prepare a list of distant persons to be notified by letter and/or printed notice, and decide which to send to each.

Prepare a list of persons to receive acknowledgments of flowers, calls, etc. Send appropriate acknowledgments (can be written note, printed acknowledgments, or some of each). Include "thank you's" to those who have given their time as well.

Notify insurance companies.

Locate the will and notify lawyer and executor.

Check carefully all life and casualty insurance and death benefits, including Social Security, credit union, trade union, fraternal, and military. Check also on income for survivors from these sources.

Check promptly on all debts and installment payments, including credit cards. Some may carry insurance clauses that will cancel them. If there is to be a delay in meeting payments, consult with creditors and ask for more time before the payments are due.

If the deceased was living alone, notify utilities and landlord and tell post office where to send mail.

Funeral Director will prepare Social Security Form SSA 721. Check with Social Security to see that number is retired.

Contact Mission Parks for caring service in your time of need.
We can be reached by e-mail at info@missionparks.com or by phone at 1-800-000-0000.