What to do... When Death Occurs

In the first few hours



1. Make an appointment with A.J. Desmond & Sons by calling 248-362-2500 (Troy) or 248-549-0500 (Royal Oak). If out of town, call 1-(800)-210-7135 (Troy) or 1-(800)-294-5668 (Royal Oak). The funeral home will help coordinate all necessary arrangements including the cemetery. Some information necessary to complete the State vital statistic requirements is:
   • Birth Date
   • Birthplace
   • Father's Name
   • Mother's Maiden Name
   • Social Security Number
   • Veteran's Discharge or Claim Number, if applicable 
   • Education
   • Marital Status

2. Contact your clergy. Decide on the time and place of the funeral or memorial service. This can be done at the funeral home.

3. The funeral home will assist you in determining the number of copies of the death certificates you will be needing and will order them for you.

4. Make a list of immediate family, close friends and employer or business colleagues. Notify each by phone.

5. Decide on an appropriate memorial to which gifts may be made (church, hospice, library, charity or school), if desired.

6. Gather obituary information, including age, place of birth, cause of death, occupation, college degrees, memberships held, military service , outstanding work , list of survivors in immediate family. give time and place of services. If desired, the funeral home will write an article and submit it to newspapers (newspaper will accept a photo and it will be returned intact). The funeral home will also host obituary information on our website.

7. Arrange for members of family or close friends to take turns to assist in answering the door or phone, keeping careful record of calls. 
   

   
   During the next few days
   

8. If Social Security checks are automatic deposit, notify the bank of the death.

9. Coordinate the supplying of food for the next several days.

10. Consider special needs of the household, such as cleaning , etc., which might be done by friends.

11. Arrange for child care, if necessary.

12. Arrange hospitality for visiting relatives and friends.

13. Select pallbearers and notify the funeral home. (Avoid anyone with heart or back difficulties, or make them honorary pallbearers).

14. Plan for the disposition of flowers after funeral services (church, hospital or rest home)

15. Prepare list of distant persons to be notified by letter and/or printed notice, and decide which to send to each.

16. Locate the will and notify lawyer and executor.

17. Check carefully all life and casualty insurance and death benefits , including Social Security, credit union , trade union, fraternal, and military. Check also on income for survivors from these sources.
    

    
    In the first week
    

18. Prepare list of persons to receive acknowledgments of flowers, calls, etc. Send appropriate acknowledgments (can be written note, printed acknowledgments, or some of each). Include "thank you's" to those who have given their time as well.

19. Notify insurance companies.

20. Check promptly on all debts and installment payments, including credit cards. Some may carry insurance clauses that will cancel them. If there is to be a delay in meeting payments, consult with creditors and ask for more time before the payments are due.

21. If deceased was living alone, notify utilities and landlord and tell post office where to send mail.

22. The funeral director will prepare and submit Social Security Form SSA 721. Check with Social Security to see that number is retired.