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When someone you love dies, not only is there much to cope with emotionally, but the associated logistical concerns can be overwhelming. What kind of service should there be? What are the available options? We at Heath and Vaughn Funeral Home understand that these issues can be especially difficult, and we are here to help. Below are guidelines that may assist you during the difficult time following a loved one's death.
1. Call Heath and Vaughn Funeral Home
(A locally-owned independent funeral home)
When a loved one has died, you and your family
require comforting, immediate attention. You need time to mourn and
grieve, gather your thoughts, and develop plans for the future.
You may wish call your pastor, who can help in your healing process, and the funeral director preferred by the family. If there’s not already a family-preferred funeral director, you might ask for recommendations from those you trust. Your pastor is a good person to turn to for help.
2. Notify Family, Friends, and Associates
After
contacting your pastor and funeral director, you will telephone others
to inform them of your loss. This can be a healthy part of the grieving
process.
3. Consult with Charles W. Vaughn, Funeral Director
Next,
arrange for a meeting with the funeral director. In this meeting, you
will share personal information to complete the death certificate and
prepare the obituary. You may want to bring helpful information to
the meeting. The information typically required: date and place of
birth, date and place of death, age, marital status, name of surviving
spouse (maiden name, if wife), social security number, usual occupation,
kind of business or industry, U.S. war veteran (if veteran, the dates
of service, service number, copy of discharge papers), usual residence,
father's full name, mother's full maiden name, place of burial or cremation,
and date of burial or cremation. In addition, there are several other
informational items to be completed for the death certificate by the
physician, coroner, and funeral director.
The funeral director will obtain the certified copies of the death certificate. These certificates are necessary to process insurance policies, social security and veterans benefits, and selling of stocks or bonds. In any instance that legal proof of death is required, you will be asked to submit a certified copy of the death certificate.
4. Decide on Service Times
During your meeting with the funeral
director, you will plan the time, place, and type of service with the
assistance of the funeral director and your pastor. Often funeral services
are held at the funeral home or at the local church. We can help you
to prepare any number of personalized service styles.
5. Casket/Vault Selection
With the assistance of the funeral director, you will next select the casket and vault you desire. We at Heath and Vaughn offer a unique, comforting method to make your decision less rigorous. You will most likely need a cement or steel burial container, which is used at the cemetery to contain the casket. Cemeteries usually require this type of hard container to structurally support and protect the grave site. We also have a wide selection of containers so that you may choose one that is best.
6. Contacting the Cemetery
We will make all the cemetery arrangements. If there is no cemetery plot available, we at Heath and Vaughn can arrange for purchasing a lot in the cemetery of your choice.
7. Prepare Obituary
With your family history, the funeral director will assist you in preparing the newspaper obituary. This notifies people of the time and place for visitation and the funeral services.
8. Pallbearers List Selection
Together with other family members,
consider the selection of the pallbearers. Once selected, these friends
and family members should then be contacted by a member of the family.
9. Facilitating an Atmosphere of Support
We suggest a video memorial biography
be created in special remembrance of your loved one. Our staff will create
your personalized family legacy in time for your service visitation. Local
Hospice groups have found our video biographies to be of great value in
helping you begin to heal from your loss.
Of course, all of the above-mentioned tasks are made even more challenging when a sudden, unexpected death occurs. That’s why it is so helpful to pre-plan these decisions.
