Death is an imminent part of life. When it happens to someone we love, our immediate reaction is often one of great emotional pain. Even if we’ve known for some time that it was going to happen, dealing with the reality that someone we love has died can be difficult to experience. That’s where the support and care of an experienced funeral and cremation provider in North Versailles, PA can be a godsend. With their guidance, you’ll be able to navigate the planning and coordination of the funeral event.

But before you’ve engaged any service for such help, there are more immediate steps that need to be undertaken. Authorities need to be contacted and decisions need to be made. There will be time to mourn later, but in the short time after death has been confirmed, several next steps need to be taken. Here is a general list of what comes next:

Call the Police or Authorities

If the person has died in a hospital or medical establishment, it’s likely that the staff will notify the authorities directly to make them aware of the death. If the death happens at home, a place of work or another public place, emergency care and the deceased’s doctor should be called out immediately. If the person died alone, the police should be notified. Avoid touching or moving the body in any way until the police give their permission to do so. In all cases, the authorities will need to investigate and confirm the cause of death. The medical coroner will need this information to complete the official death certificate records.

Contact a Funeral and Cremation Provider in North Versailles, PA

A funeral home will guide you to plan and carry out the services you want to hold for your deceased loved one. They will instruct you about what needs to occur next, what they need from you as they begin their services. For example, if a burial is wanted, they may request you to bring the clothing you wish to dress the deceased in for burial.

The funeral director will arrange for the retrieval of your loved one’s remains and take them where they need to go next. Your chosen disposition type will determine whether they will go to the crematory, or their facility for embalming care and keeping.

Visit the Funeral Firm

An arrangement conference will need to be held to finalize funeral services. This meeting will allow you to consult with the funeral director to coordinate the goods and services that you want in the funeral or memorial to come. Meeting at the funeral home allows you to see the facility where your loved one will be cared for, and evaluate the memorial products that they offer. If you’re thinking about holding the funeral on location, you’ll also be able to evaluate the chapel and seating, viewing, and gathering spaces, dining area, available technology, venue ambiance, etc.

Inform Surviving Family and Friends

When you choose to let people know about the death of a loved one, the timing matters. It’s best to tell family and close friends as soon as possible so that they don’t receive the news from a secondary source. It’s important that the news comes from you or someone in the family. Other people, including more distant friends, colleagues, and other connections, should be informed by email or social media. A public obituary notice in a local print or online publication is a good way to share the information. Dates and times of funeral or memorial service should be included when possible.

Obtain Official Death Certificate

The death certificate is an official document confirming a death has occurred. It details the date and time of death, cause, and other vital statistics for the record. The attending physician or medical examiner must sign the document.

A thorough funeral and cremation provider in North Versailles, PA can aid you to obtain the death certificate and certified copies that you may need. These copies are important for use in handling any of the deceased’s affairs. You may need to close bank accounts, file for benefit claims, sell automobiles or real estate, transfer title and ownership of goods and property and other such actions. None of this can be done without an official death certificate to support these activities.

Reliable and Trustworthy Support

Patrick T. Lanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. has been serving the community since 1914. In all that time, we’ve been honored to support thousands of families to lay down a loved one in the way that best serves and comforts them. When you’re needing a funeral and cremation provider in North Versailles, PA, call on our dedicated funeral professionals for the care that you need. Find us at 700 Linden Ave East Pittsburgh, PA 15112. Call today for a conversation about how we can help: (412) 824-8800.