When a Death Occurs

When a Death Occurs

Losing someone you love is one of the hardest things a person can experience. In the immediate aftermath, there are decisions that need to be made — and it's completely okay to ask for help. Leaning on family, friends, and the caring staff at Caldwell's is not a sign of weakness; it's one of the wisest things you can do during such an emotional time. The information below is meant to gently guide you and your family through the steps ahead.

Step 1: Contact the Proper Authorities

Before any arrangements can be made, a legal pronouncement of death must be issued.

  • Under hospice care: If your loved one was receiving hospice care — whether at home or in a facility — the hospice staff will handle the pronouncement for you. Simply follow the instructions they provided when care began.

  • In a hospital or nursing home: The facility's staff will ensure the proper declaration is made on your behalf.

  • At home or elsewhere: If your loved one passed away outside of a care facility, call 911. Explain the situation calmly and emergency services will respond with the appropriate assistance.

Step 2: Begin Making Arrangements

Before anything else, check whether your loved one made any pre-arrangements. Many people plan their services in advance, and those wishes should be honored first. If no prior arrangements exist, reach out to us and we will schedule a time to sit down with you and your family to begin planning together.

During this conversation, your family will need to consider a few important decisions, including:

  • Whether to choose burial or cremation

  • The type of service to hold and its time, date, and location

  • Selection of a casket or urn

  • Drafting an obituary

  • Choosing pallbearers

  • Deciding on the details of the service — music, speakers, minister, and any special touches that reflect your loved one's life

If the deceased was an active or retired member of the military, we also encourage you to contact the Veterans Administration early in the process to explore available benefits and honors.

Step 3: Gather Important Information and Documents

Our funeral directors will walk you through everything they need to complete the death certificate and move forward with arrangements. To help things go smoothly, it's helpful to have the following documents ready:

  • Beneficiary designations

  • Life insurance policies

  • Military discharge papers (DD Form 214, if applicable)

  • Social Security number

We will also provide you with a vital statistics form to help collect all the necessary personal information.

Step 4: Take Care of Personal Matters

Once the immediate arrangements are underway, there are a few practical matters worth attending to:

  • Secure the home and vehicle of your loved one to ensure their property is safe.

  • Make arrangements for any pets so they are being cared for by a trusted family member or friend.

  • Forward mail from your loved one's address to a family member who will be handling the estate. Mail piling up at a vacant home can signal to others that the property is unoccupied.

  • Notify their employer of the passing as soon as is reasonably possible.

  • Cancel any upcoming appointments by reaching out to the relevant contacts and informing them of the loss.

Taking these steps one at a time — with the help of those around you — can make a difficult process feel a little more manageable. We are here to support you through every part of it. Please don't hesitate to call us at 503-325-1811, any time of the day or night.