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What To Do When Death Occurs

Dealing with death is never easy, but grief can sometimes result in people not knowing what to do when death occurs. This can happen when the passing was unexpected, which can engulf a family in emotional turmoil.

First Steps

Depending on where the death occurred, either a doctor, nurse, hospice or the police should first be contacted. If the person will be cremated, the company handling it should be notified. The company will require the deceased’s full name, where they died and if they’re still at the location. In addition, next of kin (or person making arrangements) must provide contact information, and any pre-arranged cremation should be disclosed.

Making Arrangements

With a cremation, the first determination is what type is appropriate. Some families prefer a no-frills approach by simply having their loved one cremated.

However, others know what to do when death occurs, and simply seek to have the process expedited. Yet, they may live too far away to handle all details. Finally, some look to pay tribute to their loved one, but don’t want the hassle of paying bills afterwards. In the latter case, the death was expected, allowing for pre-payment.

Depending on needs, cremation arrangements should be done either in-person or online. This involves filling out a form that will complete the death certificate. This requires disclosure of private information, but a family’s notification of the death to Social Security helps expedite any authorizations.

Legal Forms to Sign

Texas law requires certain authorizations and, with respect to cremation, must be handled by legal next-of-kin unless other legal arrangements have been made. This requires the family individual to sign a Denial of Embalming form, as well as a Disclosure and Disclaimer and a Statement of Goods and Services.

Another signed form must be for the type of cremation desired. In the event that the deceased’s body was remanded to the Medical Examiner in either Dallas or Tarrant County, a release form must be signed.

Composing an Obituary

The cremation service will then ask that person to compose and submit an obituary that can be posted online. Since this can be confusing, the service will have a standard template available.

Any subsequent questions can be handled by directly contacting the cremation services company, since lessening the burden of what to do when death occurs is their job.

Contact Dallas-Fort Worth cremation company Lone Star Cremation if death has occurred.

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