5 things to know
If you are faced with the death of a loved one, there are five things you need to know. Call us at 920-468-4870 to set up a pre-planning consultation so your loved ones don't have to face these decisions when grieving.
1. Several decisions need to be made in a timely manner.
If your loved one doesn’t communicate their real intentions to you as to their personal preferences for a funeral, memorial, burial, entombment or cremation, you will need to make all the decisions without their help.
Funerals and memorials are types of services honoring your loved one. Services are held to honor the deceased; however, the primary function is to begin the process to facilitate our grief, mourn the loss, and come together for mutual support. Often services are combined with religious practices, cultural norms, civic, fraternal or membership offerings, and military rites.
Earth burial, entombment or cremation are common forms of physical modes of disposition of the body and can be in any combination with the type of service selected, funeral or memorial. The main difference being, a funeral has the body present, often for the viewing, visitation and service.
2. Know who legally can make decisions.
In order to make decisions regarding the decedents body being released to a funeral home for disposition, for example, cremation, burial or entombment, you must be the primary legal next of kin, usually the closest blood relative, unless otherwise noted in a decree, such as by guardianship or prior appointment by Wisconsin statute, the Rite of Authorization for Final Disposition. Forms are also available for free at Pfotenhauer Funeral Homes.
3. Anatomical donation.
An anatomical gift or donation can and likely will come up during the death notification.
Hopefully, it is something you have seriously discussed prior. If not, you have a relatively small window of time to make a decision.
4. Who can give answers about your loved one's death?
Medical Examiners investigate unusual or suspicious type deaths.
They are here to help and will be able to answer some of your immediate questions.
Medicolegal investigators from that office are in direct contact with forensic doctors making all determinations as to cause and manner of death.
5. Legal Decisions after the funeral.
A whole host of financial and estate questions come up at the same time as the death notification. They include, wills, durable power of attorney, pensions and employee benefits, social security, life insurance claims, housing and car issues, debt service, taxes, estate and probate issues, are just a few on the list.
The funeral home is the producer of the official record of death, the death certificate. Once recorded, the funeral home can provide you the necessary copies needed to get started.
With some financial institutions, you may be able to handle the transaction by yourself with the death certificate. However, professional care, like an estate attorney, should be consulted or contracted when dealing with probate.
Other things to think about:
- Most of these answers can be predetermined for you and your loved ones with a simple preplanning consultation with us at the funeral home. Call us today to make an appointment. Preplan to help your loved ones in their time of need so they don’t have to make funeral decisions and arrangements.
- Bring someone with you to make the funeral or memorial arrangements. Their support is invaluable.