When Death Occurs

Several things need to be considered when a death occurs. The order in which things need to be done usually depends on whether the death occurred at a residence, a public place, a care center, or in a hospital.

Today a large number of people choose to be at home with Hospice or a Home Health Care provider assisting the family until the death occurs. Usually the family will notify Hospice of the provider and Hospice will notify the proper people in the correct order. They will contact the physician, the Medical Examiner's office, and they will call the funeral home. The Medical Examiner's office needs to be notified to all deaths that occur in a home. With Hospice or a Home Health Care Provider involved, a simple phone call is the only notification that the Medical Examiner needs. The Medical Examiner will not need to come to the residence to review any information.

If Hospice or a Home Health Care Provider is not involved, but the person is under a physicians care, and family or friends are present, the family may want to call the funeral home directly. If 911 is called and an ambulance responds, the ambulance crew needs to notify the police who will then need to come to the residence. The police will then have their normal investigation that they will need to follow through with before calling the funeral home. However, if the family calls the funeral home first, the funeral home will notify the proper authorities by a phone call and no police agency will need to come to the residence.

If the death occurs in a residence and no one is there at the time of death, the police will need to be notified and respond to the residence before the deceased is removed from their home.

If the death occurs in a hospital or care center, the name of the funeral home may be left with them, and the institution will notify the funeral home at the time of the death. The funeral home will respond and at the next practical time, review matters with the family.

If in any case the death should occur and you are not sure of who to notify or what to do, you may call your funeral home and they will assist you in notifying the proper agencies.

There are several other questions that you may have in regards to the death of your loved one, such as, "do I have to have embalming?", "do I need to purchase a casket?", "what about cemetery arrangements?", "does the family have a minister?", "do we want cremation, visitation, etc?" By contacting Hampton Funeral Home, we will be able to help answer your questions and assist in making the appropriate plans. However, one of the best ways to make sure that all of your questions and desires are taken care of is to make pre-arrangements. This is as simple as outlining your wishes to having all of the details written down and the financial arrangements prepaid. Please contact one of our staff to learn more or visit our page in Planning Ahead.

Death Certificates

Grose Funeral Home, Inc. orders certified copies of the death certificates from the local registrar. The copies that are ordered during the arrangement conference are given to the family following the funeral service. The cost of each copy is six dollars. Additional copies may be ordered through the funeral home; please call for details. At the end of each month, the original death certificate is sent to Vital Records in New Castle, PA, where it is kept on file. If additional copies are needed after the end of the month, it can sometimes take two to three weeks to receive them from New Castle, and the cost increases to nine dollars each. We will be happy to assist you in obtaining additional copies at any time in the future. You may either call the funeral home, or e-mail your request, and we will order the certificates for you.

Many organizations require certified copies of death certificates in order for survivors to receive benefits, and do not accept photocopies.

For your convenience, we have listed some of the more common places where certificates may be needed:

• Life Insurance Companies (consult your agent or insurance company)
• Credit Life Insurance (consult lending institution)
• Employee Benefits (consult employer)
• Vehicle Titles (including Auto, RV, Boat, Cycle, etc.)
• Real Estate Titles (consult county clerk, realtor, or attorney)
• Stocks & Bonds (consult financial advisor or broker)
• Income Tax Returns
• Social Security Administration
• Banks (including trust accounts and safety deposit boxes)

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Social Security Benefits

The funeral home takes care of informing the Social Security Administration of a death. You are required to apply for the benefit yourself, and we will give you the necessary information to do so. Complete information regarding Social Security death benefits can be found at their website, http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/deathbenefits.htm.

Veteran's Benefits

Our staff and Veteran's Affairs Office can help you with questions regarding Death Benefits, the flag, headstones and grave markers, and survivor and dependent's benefits. In order to secure benefits for an honorably discharged veteran, we must be provided with the veteran's discharge papers, referred to as "DD-214". Without this, we are not permitted to provide any benefit, including the flag. If you are unable to locate this document, we can check at the county courthouse if the person was a long-time resident of the county, or with the VA Offices in Philadelphia. For more detailed information on Veteran's Benefits, click here.

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Memorial Contributions

If you know of an organizaion you would like to contribute to, please asked us and we will make arrangements. If you would like to make a memorial contribution, we can make suggestions of possible organizations.

Memorial Tribute DVD, Urns or Keepsake Pendants

If you choose to have Grose Funeral Home, Inc. produce a Memorial Tribute DVD, the DVD is given to the family as a loving keepsake. If choosing cremation, we offer a choice of urns or keepsake pendants.

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Things to Do Following a Funeral

1. Obtain certified copies of the death certificate.

2. Write and send acknowledgment cards. Within 7 to 10 days after the funeral you should acknowledge those who extended special help, or sent flowers, or made contributions to designated charities. While you may also wish to acknowledge letters of sympathy, it is not necessary to answer notes or cards. We can offer you a selection of acknowledgment cards, or you may want to use your personal stationary. It is also proper to acknowledge all that may have done special favors, the pallbearers and others.

3. Be prepared to receive a number of letters and phone calls for the deceased, which may continue for some time after death. Do not let these upset you, remembering that these people are making an unintentional mistake.

4. Meet with attorney to commence probate proceeding. Provide the attorney with a copy of the will and certified copy of death certificate. If a properly prepared will exists, the executor named is authorized to make the necessary distributions. This can only be done after the will has been submitted for probate, and letters testamentary are received from your court. If there is no will, an appointed administrator will distribute all property according to your local laws. If there should be any questions regarding estates, please consult your attorney.

5. Notify insurance companies and file claims when applicable. Your insurance representative will be able to answer any questions you may have.

• Life Insurance-Your Funeral Director can assist you with this
• Medical, Health, Disability, Travel and Accident Insurance
• Pension Benefits
• Homeowners Insurance
• Notify employer of deceased

6. Transfer vehicle title

7. Change auto insurance

8. Return PA Driver's License

9. Apply for appropriate benefits when applicable

• Social Security Benefits-Your Funeral Director will notify Social Security of the death
• Veteran's Burial and Survivor Benefits-Your Funeral Director will apply for these benefits
• Worker's Compensation Benefits

10. Notify Stockbrokers

• Change ownership of jointly- or solely-owned stocks
• Cancel any open orders arranged by the deceased

11. Notify Bank

• Change all jointly held accounts and correct tax ID numbers (usually Social Security numbers)
• Cancel direct deposit of retirement benefit payments
• Re-establish title of safe deposit box
• Re-establish outstanding mortgages, personal notes, etc.
• Apply for all credit life insurance which may exist

12. A monument or marker should be installed at the cemetery as soon as time permits. Many different styles are available, and it is wise to take your time in making your selection. It is a good decision to check with the cemetery official to find out if there are any restrictions as to size or material of the monument. Your funeral director or monument salesperson will be glad to answer your questions in this regard.

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