Time of Death Checklist

Here is a useful checklist of 85 things that must be done by the survivor.
          * Indicates details that can be planned or prepaid ahead of time.

Secure Vital Statistics
(Required for burial permit)

*1. Name, home address and telephone number
*2. How long in state
*3. Name of business, address and telephone number
*4. Occupation and title
*5. Social Security Number
*6. War Veterans Serial Number
*7. Date of Birth
*8. Place of Birth
*9. U.S. Citizen
*10. Father's name
*11. Father's birthplace
*12. Mother's maiden name
*13. Mother's birthplace
*14. Religious name (if any)

Pay Some or All of the Following

*15. Family burial estate
*16. Memorials
*17. Funeral Director
*18. Interment Service
  19. Clergy
  20. Florist
  21. Clothing
  22. Transportation
  23. Telephone and telegraph
  24. Food
  25. Doctors
  26. Nurses
  27. Hospitals and ambulance
  28. Medicine and drugs
  29. Other current and urgent bills (mortgage or rent,
            taxes, installment payments)

Collect Documents
(Required to establish rights for insurance, pensions,
social security, ownership, relationship, etc.)

* 30. Will
* 31. Legal proof of age or birth certificate
* 32. Social Security card or number
* 33. Marriage license
* 34. Citizenship papers
* 35. Insurance policies (life, health and accident,
            property)
* 36. Bank books
* 37. Deeds to property 
* 38. Bill of sale of car
* 39. Income tax returns, receipts or canceled checks
* 40. Veterans discharge certificate
* 41. Disability claims
* 42. Memorial Park Certificate of Ownership

Decide and Arrange Within a Few Hours

* 43. Burial estate location and which space to open
* 44. Memorial type and inscription
* 45. Casket type
* 46. Clothing for deceased
* 47. Vault or sectional crypt
* 48. Type of service (religious, military, fraternal)
* 49. Special selection from scriptures
* 50. Clergy to officiate
* 51. Which funeral director
* 52. Place where service is to be held
   53. Time of funeral service
* 54. Choose a charitable organization to which donations
            are suggested in memory of deceased
   55. Provide information for eulogy
   56. Select casket-bearers
   57. Select Flowers
* 58. Select Music
   59. Choose clothing for you and minor children
   60. Make preparation at home, including food for family
            and guests
   61. Extra chairs
   62. Arrange transportation for family and guests, including
             planning funeral car list
   63. Check and sign necessary papers for burial permit
* 64. Provide vital statistics about deceased to newspapers
* 65. Provide addresses and telephone numbers for all
             interested people
   66. Meet with funeral director, cemetery representative
             clergy, to discuss all details
   67. Arrange to meet relatives who arrive from out of town
            or state
   69. Provide lodging for out of town relatives
   70. Make list of callers and floral tributes sent for
            mailing card of thanks
* 71. Arrange for special religious services
* 72. Check will regarding special wishes
   73. Order death certificate

Notify as Soon as Possible

   74. The doctors
   75. The funeral director
   76. The memorial park
   77. All relatives
   78. All friends
   79. Employer of deceased
   80. Employers of relatives not going to work
   81. Casket-bearers
   82. Insurance agents (life, health, accident)
   83. Religious, fraternal, civic, veterans organizations,
             unions
   84. Newspapers regarding notices
   85. Attorney, accountant or executor of estate

Free Family & Survivor's Planning Guide Historic Woodlawn Cemetery offers a free 20-page Family and Survivor's Guide in which you can record all the information survivors will need. This indispensable guide provides everything you need to know at the time of death including: Cemetery and Funeral Arrangements Settling the Estate of the Deceased To request your free copy, call 419-472-2186.