When Death Occurs

Depending on where the death occurs and under what circumstances, this explains what you should do when the death occurs:

• 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 Bell Hennessy Funeral Homes is the funeral home handling arrangements so they can have you sign any necessary release paperwork
• Anticipated death 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 Bell-Hennessy Funeral Homes 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.
• Unanticipated death at home or elsewhere
  In these situations, immediately call 911. The police and emergency medical personnel will then determine the appropriate steps to be taken. Often, the police can release the human remains directly to our 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.
• Death out of State
  If the death occurs outside of New Jersey, you should call Bell-Hennessy Funeral Homes at (856) 629-7244. We can coordinate with a local funeral director at the place of death. No matter where death takes place or burial is desired, the trained funeral directors at Bell-Hennessy Funeral Homes know what to do. If you are ever confronted with this seemingly perplexing problem of what to do when death occurs, let Bell-Hennessy Funeral Homes have the opportunity to serve you by giving us a call to give us the facts and express your desires. 

 Important items to prepare ...

1. Make appointment with the Bell-Hennessy Funeral Home by calling 856-629-7244. The funeral home will help coordinate arrangements with the cemetery. Some information to complete the State vital statistic requirements.

• Birth Date
• Birthplace
• Father's Name
• Mother's Name
• Social Security Number
• Veteran's Discharge or Claim Number
• Education
• Marital Status

2. Contact your clergy. Decide on time and place of 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 can 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 appropriate memorial to which gifts may be made (church, hospice, library, charity or school).

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. The funeral home will normally write article and submit to newspapers (newspaper will accept picture and they will be returned intact).

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

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 need 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 disposition of flowers after funeral (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. 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.

17. Notify insurance companies.

18. Locate the will and notify lawyer and executor.

19. 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.

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. Funeral Director will prepare Social Security Form SSA 721. Check with Social Security to see that number is retired.