funeral home in Marshall, TX

What Are the Steps When a Loved One Dies?

When your loved one passes away and you are looking at  funeral homes in Marshall, TX, it is good to consider all your options, especially if there was no preplanning. Depending on your cultural background, you may have specific processes you will need to follow. But with choices like traditional funerals or direct cremation, having some direction will help you make a more authentic decision for your needs.

Where do you Start?

Your starting place is to get the certificate of death. Several individuals can provide this, including a registered nurse, coroner, medical examiner, or EMT. Upon pronouncement of the passing, your chosen funeral director can assist you with getting the certificate. We recommend you get multiple copies of the certificate depending on how many accounts the individual was organized with, such as credit card companies.

Whom do you Notify?

  • Anyone related to the individual or friends who may need to know.
  • Religious connections such as a minister.
  • The individual’s employer or doctors.
  • Finding a house sitter or pet sitter if applicable.
  • Utility or credit card companies.
  • Volunteer organizations or other commitments.

Next Steps

Contact your chosen funeral home to get the body transported if needed. In addition, you will need to decide on cremation or burial services before arranging the event. If the individual passed away in hospice, specific steps are taken for removal, depending on your state. If you have an open casket service, the body will need to be stored or embalmed, so considering this is vital. There are certain circumstances where the body needs to be autopsied, so you need to talk to a doctor to get this done.

You will need to create an obituary that includes any information on the deceased such as location or donation options. You can have the name, date of birth, and place of birth of the individual. It is recommended to add in a photo of the deceased so others may identify the theme more accessible.

funeral homes in Marshall, TXContacting the life insurance company and any agencies involved like banks is recommended to change or close accounts. Forwarding the mail and getting the will or executor to get belongings and property distributed. You may need to contact a CPA to take care of the deceased’s final tax return and then close any email or social media accounts.

Helping you With the Hard Decisions

There is no easy process when someone you love passes away. Between choosing memorial services or cremation, it might feel overwhelming to know the right choice for you. Taking the steps forward to planning service can feel like a heavyweight, so you need a compassionate and caring team to support you is a priority. With all the funeral homes in Marshall, TX, you might feel alone in your search for the right company to work with. The compassionate team at East Texas Funeral Home wants to support you through the process and guide you as you plan your event. We are here to help, so give us a call today to get started.