150 Decisions To Be Made After a Death
Many people don’t realize the large number of decisions that need to be made following the death of a loved one. There are as many as 150 important details that need attention. We have listed the top 87 here.
A relative, friend, or even a stranger is left with the responsibility of making these decisions, often within 72 hours or less, unless if some of the decisions had been made ahead of time.
Our consultants can help you make these decisions ahead of time and can offer guidance to your loved ones – so they can focus on what matters most.
Vital Information, Documents:
- Take the first step to pre-planning by consulting your Arbor representative for information
- Name, address and telephone numbers
- How long at present address
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
- Legal proof of age or birth certificate
- Citizenship, citizenship papers
- Social Insurance Number
- Business name or employer’s address/contact
- Occupation and title
- Father’s name
- Father’s birthplace
- Mother’s maiden name
- Mother’s birthplace
- Religious name (if applicable)
- Military Service Serial Number (if applicable)
- Military Discharge Certificate (if applicable)
- Legal Will and Power of Attorney
- Pensions
- Insurance policies (life, health, car, property)
- Investments
- Bank books, account numbers
- Deeds to properties (house, cottage)
- Bill of sale of automobile, boat, other
- Income tax returns, receipts, cancelled checks
- Disability claims
- Cemetery Certificate of Ownership
- Marriage License
- Addresses of children, relatives, close friends etc.
- Passwords: computer, accounts, social media
Personal Choices, Final Wishes:
- Meet with funeral director, cemetery representative, and/or clergy about details of wishes
- Discuss options with loved ones
- Choose cremation or burial
- Select style of urn or casket
- Which funeral practitioner or crematorium to call
- Place where service is to be held, ie: funeral home, religious institution, other
- Length and location of the visitation
- Reception location (funeral home, church, other)
- Service type (religious, military, casual, themed, etc.)
- Celebrant (funeral director, clergy, other)
- Select pallbearers and other participants
- Choose flowers and/or a commemorative display
- Choose music (spiritual, popular, live or recorded)
- Select readings (religious and/or secular)
- Charitable organizations for in-memorial donations
- Select catering style (classic, gourmet, themed, custom)
- Select the cemetery/mausoleum
- Cemetery lot or niche or crypt location
- Vault or sectional crypt
- Style of memorial (marker, stone, niche, bench, etc.)
- Decorative elements and inscriptions
- Interment service details, celebrant etc.
- Note the details/people to be included in obituary
- Make notes on what to include in eulogy
- Transportation for deceased
- Transportation for family (coach, procession, limo)
- Determine budget and how expenses will be paid: (Full amount due at the time of crisis, or, in affordable installments available by pre-planning)
Who to Notify When a Death Occurs:
- Funeral home and cemetery
- Doctors/medical practitioners
- Relatives, friends, colleagues, neighbors
- Employers of deceased
- Insurance agents (life, health & accident)
- Organizations (religious, fraternal, civic, veterans, unions)
- Lawyer, accountant and executor
- Bankers, investors, creditors, government
Responsibilities at Time of Death:
- Set time/date of services, visitation, internment
- Inform and instruct pallbearers
- Clothing for the deceased
- Create online memorial (ie: Sharing MemoriesTM)
- Social media announcements
- Write eulogy or provide notes to assist the writer
- Prepare home for receiving visitors
- Check and sign legal papers, burial permits etc.
- Place obituary or provide vital statistics about deceased to newspaper
- Respond to phone calls, messages, cards
- Arrange lodging for out-of-town guests
- Make list of callers and floral tributes for mailing thank you cards
- Arrange for any special religious requirements
- Check Will regarding specific wishes
- Order the Death Certificate
- Arrangements for care of dependents and pets
- Arrange clergy participation, pay clergy fees
- Pay utilities and other current or urgent bills (mortgage or rent, taxes, installment payments)
- Pay any outstanding medical or legal fees
- Pay florist and caterers, unless paid in advance
- Pay funeral fees, unless paid in advance
- Pay cemetery fees, unless paid in advance
It makes sense to plan many of these decisions now. It spares your loved ones from unnecessary stress and guarantees your personal wishes are met.
Have further questions about funeral insurance? We would be happy to help. Call 302-668-6637 or fill out our online form.
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