| One of the most common questions that | | | | the deceased and have it at your fingertips. |
| ministers are asked, I am told, is "What do I have | | | | #4 - Decide which Funeral Service you will use |
| to do when someone dies?" I know it happened | | | | and contact them. You will need to choose a |
| to me a number of years ago when my mother | | | | reputable funeral home that will give you the |
| died. I got the dreaded phone call and I headed | | | | service you need at the price you can afford. |
| for home. I knew I would have to write an | | | | #5 - Make the final arrangements for the |
| obituary and write a eulogy. But what else did I | | | | deceased's body (burial or cremation) and all the |
| need to do? When I reached the nursing home I | | | | details that go along with either one of those. |
| asked them what to do. When I made an | | | | #6 - Plan the funeral or memorial service; including: |
| appointment with the minister I asked "What do I | | | | who will lead the service; who will give the eulogy. |
| do now?" I kept asking the question to anyone I | | | | #7 - Make sure all the papers are in order for the |
| saw. I got through the terrible time, but not | | | | executor. |
| without a lot of help. If I had been prepared | | | | #8 - And throughout all of these items in the |
| with a What to Do When Someone Dies Checklist | | | | "What to do When Someone You Love Dies |
| it would have taken some of the stress out of | | | | Checklist" you will need to receive and give |
| this tragic time. | | | | comfort to others in your immediate family who |
| Because of this experience, I have decided to | | | | are also grieving. |
| create a "What to Do When Someone Dies | | | | There is a balance of taking time to grieve for |
| Checklist". This checklist will get you started on | | | | the person we loved knowing that we won't be |
| what you need to do when you are grieving the | | | | able to spend time anymore with them here on |
| loss of a loved one. | | | | this earth and making sure that we give that |
| You will need to: | | | | person the true honor that they deserve. We |
| #1 - Contact people. Start with those that are | | | | can't help our feelings of grief. They take over |
| closest to the deceased. | | | | our very being. Having a clear plan can help to |
| #2 - Write an obituary notice and post it in the | | | | get through this time when someone dies. |
| local newspaper. This will be another way that | | | | Once you are through this time and you know of |
| you can contact people as many people will read | | | | others that are going through the grief of loss, |
| the paper or will get a phone call from a friend | | | | why don't you create a What to Do When |
| telling them about the obituary. | | | | Someone Dies Checklist (or share this one) for |
| #3 - Collect up all the important information about | | | | your friend to help them through this rough time? |