When a loved one passes away, it can quickly become overwhelming trying to figure out everything that needs to be done. There are some actions that must be taken within the first hours after death, and others that should be completed within the first few days. Contacting your funeral home in Holly Hill, SC, can provide you with all the information you need. If your loved one passes at home or in the workplace, emergency personnel or their physician should be contacted first. If they have passed away where no one else was present at the time, local authorities will need to be notified before moving your loved one to another location. If your loved one is already in a care facility or hospital, staff will contact you and all necessary authorities, as well as the funeral home that has been designated. These people will be able to help you in getting documentation and any necessary paperwork completed. 

Your next steps over the following days will be to inform family and friends of your loved one’s passing. You can do this yourself, or have a trusted friend help you during your time of need. This will also be the time to go over your loved one’s funeral prearrangements, if they have any, and speak with the funeral home about making plans for services and burial or cremation. You will also need to write an obituary or death notice to inform the rest of the community that your loved one has passed away. 

If there aren’t any prearrangements, you will have to sit down and make decisions about how your loved one’s remains should be handled. Some things you’ll have to consider will be whether you want embalming services so that a viewing will be possible, whether they will be cremated or buried, and what type of memorial service or funeral you wish for them. You will also need to determine if you want to contact a member of the clergy to lead the services, and if any religious customs must be followed. Your funeral home will be there every step of the way to guide you through this process and help you understand all the arrangements that need to be made. If there are any special keepsakes, photos, videos, or music that you want to be involved with the memorial service, you will need to gather these items as well. 

This is a starting point for the steps that will be taken after your loved one has passed. Avinger Funeral Home in Holly Hill, SC, will make sure that all the necessary actions have been taken. We want to make sure that you remember to keep your support system close during your time of need, and we can be a part of that system, giving you any guidance you may need along the way. Even if your questions don’t specifically pertain to the funeral, our experience with the process will allow us to help you and answer your concerns. See our website to make prearrangements online, or give us a call if you have immediate need.