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	What do I do when a death occurs? Who Must I Tell When a Death Occurs? What do I bring to the funeral home when making arrangements? Does embalming have a purpose? If you have a funeral ceremony , do you need to have a visitation? Who plans the Funeral Ceremony? What is a cemetery burial? What is cremation? What purpose does a funeral serve? What do funeral directors do? Why have a public viewing? Does a dead body have to be embalmed, according to law? Should children attend the funeral service? Where can I found out more about Social Security Benefits? Useful Links Most people ignore the subject of funeral homes and cemeteries until the need for information in both urgent and crucial. We hope that the information you find here is of help to you. Much of the information on funeral, cemetery, and cremation practice contained in this web site is based on our experience in the Northeast of the United States. Some details may not apply in your area. What do I do when a death occurs? Most deaths occur in health care institutions such as hospitals and nursing homes. If the death occurs outside of a health care institution the first task is to notify the authorities. Simply dial 911. They will guide your next actions. At some time, the responding authorities or the staff of the health care facility will ask you which funeral home you wish called. Death in an Institution: When the death occurs at a hospital or nursing home, the medical staff should take care of all necessary legal steps. You just need to notify the medical staff that Browne Memorial Funeral Chapel is the funeral home handling arrangements so they can have you sign any necessary release paperwork. At Home: Today, more people with terminal illnesses are electing to die at home under the care of hospice. In this situation, you just need to notify Hospice that Browne Memorial Funeral Chapel is the funeral home of your choice, they will then take care of all necessary legal requirements. Many times when someone has a terminal illness, the family will elect to make prearrangements with us so that they are not overwhelmed with the many important decisions at the time of death. If a death is anticipated there are many things you can do to ease the impact. Firstly, many people find it useful and comforting to spend time with the person who is dying. Secondly, many practical preparations can be made: organ donation plans can be reviewed wills can be reviewed the individual's preferences for burial, cremation or other services can be ascertained family and friends can be notified and assigned tasks such as notifying others and supporting the immediate family Preparing for an anticipated death is a powerful and often healing experience. Interacting with others eases the pain, creates support and eases the burdens on those most close. An anticipated death is a time when we find out just how supportive and loving the people around us really are. An unanticipated death is a time when we find out just how supportive and loving the people around us really are. In these situations, immediately call 911. The police and emergency medical personnel will determine the appropriate steps to be taken. Often, the police can release the human remains directly to the funeral home. However, in certain cases, the body may need to go to the Medical Examiner's office so that they can determine the cause of death. Out of state: If the death occurs outside of Connecticut, you should call Browne Memorial Funeral Chapel. We will then coordinate with a local funeral director at the place of death, assisting in the completion of funeral arrangements. Being a member of several national associations, your own funeral home can often save you additional expense by making the arrangements on your behalf. Most people are reluctant to ask a funeral establishment for the consumer information they would expect from any other service provider. Be aware that every funeral home is required by law to give you information, including price information, over the telephone. If a firm is hesitant or unhelpful you may wish to search for one that will satisfy you. Do not hesitate to call several firms. There is rarely such a hurry that you will not have time to select a funeral home as carefully as you would any other service. Outline the type of funeral you want or that your family has traditionally used. If the person you are talking to is a good listener, is free with information, and is comfortable to talk to then the firm probably will be supportive of your needs. When a death occurs you will probably want to immediately phone our funeral home to arrange a "first call", which is the transfer of the person's remains to the funeral home. If immediate transfer is not possible for some reason, for example with accidental or unexpected death when it is possible that an autopsy may need to be performed, the funeral home can tell you what needs to be done next. Our funeral home (860-745-3115) will provide you with this kind of emergency service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, using our own trained, professional staff. Our funeral home will help you make the funeral arrangements at an "arrangement conference", and will assist you whether you choose a full traditional service or immediate disposition of the remains with no service or memorialization at all, and whether you choose burial or cremation. Who Must I Tell When a Death Occurs? When a death occurs you will need to notify the deceased person's family members and close friends as well as their employer/business colleagues, school/college and any associations they were affiliated with. This is easiest done by telephone. Try to get a family member to help you, and keep a record of all calls made and received. Make a list of far-away people who will need to be informed by mail, and decide what form the notification will take and who will take care of it. Keep a list of everyone who sends flowers, writes, calls, etc. and decide who will acknowledge them. "Thank you" notes may be printed cards or handwritten notes or both. The staff of your chosen funeral home will probably be able to provide cards and other assistance. Contact the deceased person's bank. This is especially important if receipts such as Social Security checks are deposited automatically, or if mortgage payments and such are made directly from the account. You will need to find the deceased person's will and notify their lawyer and/or executor, and also inform any insurance companies. There may be income for survivors to come from insurance policies, or from credit or trade unions, fraternal organizations, the military, etc. Check for any outstanding debts, such as credit card bills. Some insurance policies may take care of them, but even so you may need to ask for an extension on payments which are coming due to tide you over until the insurance money is paid. Where appropriate contact the deceased person's landlord, cancel utilities such as electricity and telephone, and give the post office a forwarding address for mail. What do I bring to the funeral home when making arrangements? You will need to bring several things with you to the funeral home for the initial arrangement conference, assuming you have them available: The deceased person's social security number Military service history summary form (DD214) Any deed for a cemetery plot or other such paperwork Insurance policies, etc. Any notes or special requests made by the deceased person The arrangement conference can be an emotionally stressful duty. You may also wish to bring along family members or a close friend whose judgement you trust, and who can support you while you are making arrangements. Choose the ones who care the most. And finally, bring an open mind. Many people do not have much experience in arranging funerals. They may think they know exactly how funerals work based on one or two experiences in another place many years ago. These days the options for funeral services are much greater, and your original ideas may be only the starting point for the ultimate arrangements. It is an unfortunate fact that there are many legal requirements when a death occurs, and it is easy to overlook one or more of the things which need to be done. Typically you may be dealing with: Will Insurance Bank accounts Safety deposit boxes Transfer of ownership of a home and a car Union/professional association benefits Business succession documents Transfer of assets Taxes, including inheritance taxes and any senior exemptions on property tax You will need certified copies of the death certificate for many of these, including: Life insurance and benefit claims Title/ownership transfers Access to bank accounts and safety deposit boxes Our funeral home can help you with information on death certificates and can get them for you. In most states you will need the following information about the deceased: Date and place of birth Mother's and father's names Social Security number Veteran's discharge or claim number Level of education Marital status You may also need information on: Citizenship status Racial/ethnic background Religion Your funeral home will also help you notify Social Security. Does embalming have a purpose? Embalming, though not required by law in Connecticut except in certain situations, does have a purpose. It sanitizes and retards the decomposition process, enhancing the appearance of a body disfigured by traumatic death or illness. It makes possible the lengthening of time between the death and the final disposition, thus allowing time to arrange and participate in the type of service most comforting to the family. Certain situations that require embalming would include a funeral service with public visitation or transportation by common carrier when death occurs in a distant location. If you have a funeral ceremony , do you need to have a visitation? The visitation period provides the opportunity for family and friends to gather in a homelike atmosphere, to face the reality of the death, to share the grief and support each other. Grief shared is grief diminished. Friends and acquaintances have a need to also realize that a friend has died and to express their sympathy to the family. People don't receive a formal invitation to a visitation. They may hear by word of mouth or read in the newspaper that a friend has died. They come to a visitation because they want to. Visitations are usually held at a time convenient for working people and seniors who do not travel at night. During the visitation, fond memories are expressed, past experiences are remembered, and a heavy load seems lifted. Who plans the Funeral Ceremony? The person who has the Duty and the Right is basically responsible for all planning. They may delegate those duties if they choose to. We will assist in any way we can. A Funeral Ceremony is usually religious in nature and can be personalized to express the life of the deceased. The family will select the type of ceremony and the clergy person that brings comfort to them. Some denominations follow a basic ritual, others will incorporate favorite scripture or hymns, a eulogy can be given, favorite music played, remembrances offered by friends and family, pictures and treasured belongings can be displayed. Most clergypersons will work with a family to make the ceremony meaningful, an expression of love and a tribute to a life lived. For many people, their church might be the desired place for the funeral. For many others, the funeral home is more suitable with its homelike atmosphere, convenient parking and informality. Still others prefer a simple graveside ceremony. Whatever the preference, our professional staff will make every effort to carry out the wishes of the family in comfort and dignity. What is a cemetery burial? Approximately 70% of all funerals conclude with earth burial. Established cemeteries have been the final resting place of the honored dead for centuries. A person can purchase the use of a plot that can contain just a single grave space to a plot large enough for many family members. Most local cemeteries have space for many years to come. Some families have grave space available in family plots purchased many years ago and left to the family. Today, the tendency is to purchase just a few spaces for husband, wife and dependents. We can assist families in purchasing grave space at the time of death in a cemetery of their choice. We will also contact the cemetery to arrange the burial at the time of need. What is cremation? Cremation, like burial, is a form of disposition for the deceased. All of the customs and traditions associated with a Traditional Funeral can be performed prior to the cremation taking place. For those occasions, we offer economical cremation caskets and rental caskets. For more information about cremation, visit our Cremation section in this guide. What purpose does a funeral serve? It is the customary way to recognize death and its finality. Funerals are recognized rituals for the living to show respect for the dead and to help survivors begin the grief process. What do funeral directors do? Funeral directors are caregivers and administrators. They make the arrangements for transportation of the body, complete all necessary paperwork, and implement the choices made by the family regarding the funeral and final disposition of the body. Funeral directors are listeners, advisors and supporters. They have experience assisting the bereaved in coping with death. Funeral directors are trained to answer questions about grief, recognize when a person is having difficulty coping, and recommend sources of professional help. Funeral directors also link survivors with support groups at the funeral home or in the community. Why have a public viewing? Viewing is part of many cultural and ethnic traditions. Many grief specialists believe that viewing aids the grief process by helping the bereaved recognize the reality of death. Viewing is encouraged for children, as long as the process is explained and the activity voluntary. Does a dead body have to be embalmed, according to law? No. Most states, however, require embalming when death was caused by a reportable contagious disease or when remains are to be transported from one state to another by common carrier or if final disposition is not to be made within a prescribed number of hours. Should children attend the funeral service? Children grieve just as adults do. Any child old enough to form a relationship will experience grief when the relationship is severed. As adults we may not realize that a child is grieving because their feelings may be displayed in behaviors we call "moody", "cranky", "withdrawn", "telling tales", "attention getting", "acting out" or other displays which do not match an adult's idea of grief. When a death occurs children need to be surrounded by feelings of warmth, acceptance and understanding. This may be a lot to expect of the adults who are experiencing their own grief and upset, but children do not have the experience and inner resources of adults and tend to need more support. Caring adults can guide children through this time when the child is experiencing feelings for which they have no words and thus can not identify. In a very real way, this time can be a growth experience for the child, teaching about love and relationships. The first task is to create an atmosphere in which the child's thoughts, fears and wishes are recognized. This means that they should be allowed to participate in whatever arrangements, ceremonies and gatherings which are comfortable for them. For example, a child may not be able to speak at a grandparent's funeral, but may benefit greatly from the opportunity to draw a picture to be placed in the casket or displayed at the service. Remember, allow the participation, don't force it. Forced participation can be harmful. Children instinctively have a good sense of how involved they wish to be. They should be listened to carefully. Explain what will be happening and why it is happening at a level the child can understand. Be aware that young children have short attention spans and may need to leave a service or gathering before the adults are ready. You may wish to provide a non-family attendant to care for the children in this event. Useful Links Better Business Bureau - www.bbb.org Connecticut Funeral Directors Association - www.ctfda.org National Funeral Directors Association - www.nfda.org Social Security Association - www.ssa.gov Town of Enfield, CT - www.enfield.org North Central Connecticut Chamber of Commerce - www.ncccc.org Hartford Courant Obituaries - ctnow.com/obituaries Veterans Benefits Administration - www.vba.gov back to top Email: info@brownefuneralchapel.com main \| history \| staff\| facilities \| maps & directions \| general info services \| merchandise \| preplanning \| obituaries