Things to do when death occurs;

1. Make an appointment with the funeral home. The funeral home will help coordinate arrangements with the cemetery.

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

3. 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.

4. Some information needed to complete most states vital statistic requirements:

Birth date and birthplace

Father’s name and Mother’s maiden name

Social Security number

Veteran’s discharge or claim number

Education

Marital status

5. Make list of immediate family members.

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

7. Gather obituary information, including age, place of birth, cause of death, occupation, college degrees, memberships held, military service, outstanding work, list of survivors in immediate family, give time and place of services. The funeral home will normally write article and submit to newspaper.

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

9. Locate the will and notify lawyer and executor.

10. 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.

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