What happens when I contact the funeral home that I have selected to use?

When you first contact the funeral home to make arrangements, you will probably answer a few general questions about funeral plans, vital statistics of the deceased, and whether there was prearrangement or a will, the decedent’s family preferences for a burial or cremation, and what type of services you would like to hold.  Plans will be finalized when you meet with the funeral director.  This is no time for you to go at it alone, bring family and close friends to help you make decisions.  The following list is some things you might want to bring with you when meeting with the funeral director. 

*Vital information about the decedent--date and place of birth and death, parents' names, names of pre-deceased relatives and survivors, Social Security number, dates of marriages/divorces

*Highest level of education

*Occupation

*Military information including separation or discharge papers (DD-214), if the deceased was a veteran

*Any information related to a pre-arrangement, if applicable

*Place of burial or final disposition if a cemetery plot has been purchased

*Photographs--one or two recent photographs will be used during the embalming and cosmetology process

*Names and phone numbers of clergy or celebrants you wish to involve in the ceremonies

*Clothing, including undergarments and jewelry or glasses you would like the deceased to be viewed wearing

*Records of life insurance policies