When Death Occurs

When a death occurs in your family, you will be faced with important tasks and decision-making during a very difficult time. You may not know what to do or when to begin planning funeral services. Bearing the responsibility of planning a funeral can be overwhelming. Remember that you are not alone. We are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to assist you with the details and offer our guidance. We have compiled the following list to help guide you through the steps you will need to take when a death has occurred. Your funeral director will help coordinate all the details when you meet for an arrangement conference.


1. After a death has occurred, please call our office at (714) 489-5571 to notify us. We will ask for:

      a. The decedent’s full name

      b. Place of passing

      c. Who is the next of kin is

      d. What time you’re ready for us to pick up your loved one

      e. Decedent’s doctor’s information

      f. Caller’s information

2. Once we have your loved one in our care, an arrangement conference will be made. For the arrangement conference place have:

      a. Social security of the decedent

      b. Birth date, city, and state of birth of the decedent

      c. Decedent’s parent information

      d. Decedent’s education information

      e. Marital status of the decedent

      f. Veteran’s discharge or claim information (if applicable)

      g. Pre-arrangement paperwork (if applicable)

      h. Cemetery information (if applicable)

3. Decide on the place and time you’d like to have the funeral service. Our chapel is always available for services of all faiths and cultures.

4. If having a religious service, contact your clergy members to inform them of your loved one’s passing.

5. After having the arrangement conference bring in clothing and an 8’’x10’’ photo for the decedent.

      a. Shirts and dresses with long sleeves or include a jacket/cardigan.

      b. High neckline or a scarf

6. Notify insurance companies, banks, landlords, and the post office of the death of your loved one and to have mail sent to a new address.

7. If there is a will notify the lawyer.

8. Carefully check all life and casualty insurance and death benefits, including Social Security, credit union, trade union, fraternal, and military. Check on possible income for survivors from these sources.

9. 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.