Where To Begin

What To Do Immediately

If a loved one passes away at home or in another non-medical setting, the first step is to contact emergency services so the appropriate personnel can respond and complete the necessary procedures. If the individual was under the care of a physician, notifying their doctor may also be beneficial.

When a death occurs in a hospital, nursing home, hospice facility, or other healthcare setting, the staff will coordinate the required notifications and procedures. Once authorization has been provided and your loved one is ready to be transferred, the facility will contact our staff so we can bring them into our care with dignity and respect.

We understand that the loss of a loved one can be overwhelming, and knowing what to do next is not always easy. Our compassionate team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide guidance, answer your questions, and support you through each step of the process. If you need assistance at any time, please do not hesitate to contact us.

In The Days That Follow

In the days immediately following a loss, one of the first priorities is notifying close family members and friends. This can be done through personal phone calls, messages, or a formal death notice. If contacting everyone feels overwhelming, consider asking a trusted family member or friend to help share the information and provide support during this difficult time.

This is also an appropriate time to review any prearranged funeral plans your loved one may have made and schedule a meeting with our staff to begin making service arrangements. If no plans were established in advance, you may begin discussing important decisions regarding the type of service, burial or cremation preferences, and other personal details.

Remember, you do not need to make every decision immediately. Our experienced and compassionate staff is here to guide you through the planning process, answer your questions, and help you make informed choices at a pace that feels comfortable for you. When you are ready, we will be honored to assist you every step of the way.

What Happens During Our Meeting

When you meet with a member of our team to begin making arrangements, we’ll provide a general price list to help you understand the costs of the available services.

We’ll also take time to learn more about your loved one—their personality, their story, and the memories you wish to honor. This is your opportunity to share ideas, talk about their life, and highlight what made them unique. We’ll use everything you share to create a personalized service that truly reflects their legacy. Our goal is to make this process as smooth as possible, and we are honored to guide you through each step.

What We’ll Help You With

During our meeting, our staff will guide you through the next steps and assist with important arrangements, including:

• Preparing and filing the official death certificate
• Scheduling services and events (including location, date, and time)
• Choosing a casket, urn, or other necessary merchandise
• Drafting and publishing an obituary
• Arranging required transportation
• Selecting pallbearers
• Contacting insurance companies

What to Bring With You

To help make the process easier, please gather the following information for the deceased and items before your meeting:

• Full legal name and home address
• Social security number
• Date of birth
• Place of birth
• Father's name
• Mother's maiden name
• Veteran’s discharge papers (DD-214), if applicable
• Highest level of education
• Occupation
• Burial location information, if applicable
• Clergy name and phone number, if applicable
• Names and relationships of survivors
• Insurance policy information, if using to cover funeral expenses

Additionally, please bring a recent photograph and any clothing you'd like us to use when dressing your loved one for the service.