What to Do When an Aging Loved One Dies
What to Do When an Aging Loved One Dies
If and when a parent passes away, most people wouldn't know what to do. The process itself is overwhelming to think about. Reading these steps now and making some preparations can make this all much easier when the time comes.Things to consider just after passingWhen your aging loved one dies, note the general time of death. You don't necessarily need to call someone right away unless the circumstances of the death were unusual or if your loved one is an organ donor. Organs need to be transferred as quickly as possible. If you are not sure if they are an organ donor, you can check their driver's license or any advanced health care directive (living will or health care proxy) they may have available. You may even consider calling the nearest hospital to speak with an organ donor coordinator who can help you through the process.If your loved one is not an organ donor and you want to spend some time with the newly departed and say goodbye, then is the perfect time to do so. You can close their eyes and mouth if they are open. Sometimes the mouth may reopen. If that happens, place a rolled towel underneath the chin in order to keep it shut.Calling a local funeral home is your next step (if other arrangements haven't already been made). It may be many hours before they come. When they arrive they will have questions for you. They will transport your loved one from the place of death to to the funeral home/mortuary.Things you will need to think about during the upcoming daysThe death of a loved one is not an easy thing to experience. Finalizing their final affairs can be just as difficult. Take time now to understand the items below so you will be prepared to assist your loved one with their final wishes and needs.Funeral ArrangementsConsidering the departed wishes and what you're able to afford. Reach out to a funeral service and meet with the funeral director. They can assist in any decisions that need to be made including embalming or cremation, closed or open casket, burial site, headstone, etc.Close Friends, Extended FamilyYou'll want to contact the departed’s close friends and extended family and maybe a few of your own. They can help with moral support. This also gives them time to take time off to grieve and time off to attend the funeral.Religious LeaderNotify the departed’s church leader or clergy. These individuals can help you and your family during the coming days.PropertySecuring the departed’ s home and vehicle is important. If the person lives in a rent home/facility, you'll want to notify the property manager.PetsDoes the departed have pets? If so, making arrangements for them will be necessary.Post Funeral GatheringGathering those together who cared for the departed is a great way to share experiences and help each other through the grieving process. Enlist family and friends to help with this gathering.Obituary Some funeral home may offer this as a service, or you may want to write one yourself. Check with the local newspaper on rates, deadlines, and submission guidelines.After the FuneralDeath CertificatesBefore you talk to any of the entities below, make sure you request and receive the death certificate and order duplicates. Funeral directors may help handle this but you can also visit your local vital statistics office in your state for further assistance.Notifying government agenciesSocial Security, Veterans Affairs (if applicable), Medicare, DMV, and the IRS are all agencies that need to be informed about the death of the departed. An official copy of the death certificate may be needed with the cause of death clearly provided. With the IRS, a final tax return will need to be filed.Insurance PoliciesInsurance companies will need to be notified of the death. Estate (Probate), Creditors, Financial Advisors, Mortgage Companies, Banks, etc. will also need to be notified. Accounts will need to be closed. Trusts and estates will need to be settled. Much of this can be done as paper statements arrive in the mail.Credit Reporting Agencies, Other MembershipsCredit reporting agencies should be notified to limit the chance of identity theft. Other memberships such as Gym, Spa, Clubs, Library, etc. should be cancelled as well.National Care Planning Council: October 19, 2015 | by Valerie Michel BuckSources:seriousillness.org/demo/medical/last-few-days.phpmember.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-06-2012/when-loved-one-dies-checklist.htmlImage courtesy of tiverylucky at FreeDigitalPhotos.net