When a loved one passes away, it’s hard to think of anything but the grief and loss that you’re feeling in that moment. Unfortunately, there are some tasks that must be addressed in the hours and days following someone’s death. Whether you will be needing a traditional funeral and burial, or you’ll be seeking cremation services near Holly Hill, SC, be sure to ask your funeral home for guidance on who you need to call and what you need to do. Here are some of the things that you need to do after someone passes. 

If your loved one was in the hospital or a care facility when they passed, the staff there will make the proper phone calls, and they will be able to provide the death pronouncement, which is required for the death certificate. If they were home and someone was with them when it happened, then either emergency medical personnel or their primary care doctor should be notified and summoned. If they were home alone, proper authorities (the police) must be called before anything else can be done, so that they can examine the scene. 

Your next step will be to start telling family and friends what has happened. This can be a very difficult thing to do, and you may want to enlist the help of a trusted friend to make some of the calls. You might also want to make a post on social media, which will be able to reach a wider group of people with less effort.

Next, you’ll need to find out if your loved one left any pre-arrangements for their funeral plans. If they have, call the funeral home and begin to make arrangements according to their wishes. Whether they wished to be cremated or buried, these processes must be put into motion relatively quickly. If they did not have any pre-arrangements, you will have to make the plans yourself. Meet with other family members to get help with making the tough decisions. If they were in the military, be sure to find out what benefits veterans receive when it comes to the funeral and burial. 

Make sure that someone is able to visit their home and care for their pets, if necessary, as well as keep an eye on their property and make sure it is secure. You will need to arrange to have their mail forwarded somewhere as well, and you’ll need to locate their will eventually. 

These are just a few of the things that need to be done immediately after someone’s death. There will be more issues that arise in the weeks to follow, and your funeral home and provider of cremation services near Holly Hill, SC, can help you navigate all these steps. Make sure to enlist the help of a financial advisor or attorney, if necessary, as well as any family that can offer their assistance, so that you don’t get overwhelmed. During this difficult time, try not to let yourself carry the full burden of responsibility, but take help where it is given. Don’t forget to give yourself time to grieve and rest, as well.