If Your Loved One Died Today, Would You Know What to Do?

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Katherine_Mariaca-Sullivan]Katherine Mariaca-Sullivan
If a loved one died today, would you know what to do? Would you know whom to call? Sadly, we are often unprepared for death and, as such, are unprepared for all the decisions that have to be made and all the tasks that must be accomplished in a very short time when someone we love dies.
In the United States, when a person dies, some of the initial decisions that have to be made include:
1- Will his/her organs be donated? And, if so, have arrangements been made with an organ and/or tissue bank?
2- Will his/her body be donated? And, if so, to which agency or school?
3- Will you use the services of a funeral home? Seven states require that you do, regardless of your personal choice.
4- Will there be a Viewing? If so, and if you are working with a funeral home, you may be required to have your loved one's body embalmed.
5- Which services will you arrange? There are many to choose from including a Viewing, Visitation, Funeral Service (whether religious or not), and Memorial Service. Or, you could create a service that is wholly unique.
6- What will you have done with your loved one's body? Burial and cremation are the most obvious choices, but there are many more that you can choose from and which may be more appropriate for you, for your loved one, and for your loved one's family.
7- If choosing in-ground burial, will it be in a public or private cemetery? Will you bury your loved one on private land (for which, depending upon where you live, you may be required to get a permit)?
8- If, on the other hand, you choose burial in a mausoleum, are you aware of casket restrictions that the mausoleum may have in place? Many mausoleums do not allow popular "sealer caskets" as they pose a possible danger to the building.
9- Do you prefer (or would your loved one have preferred) a "green" burial? If so, have you located a cemetery, or other final resting place, that allows green burials? Have you chosen between a hybrid burial ground, a natural burial ground or a conservation burial ground?
10- If you have chosen cremation, have you considered what to do with your loved one's "ashes"?
11- If your loved one was honorably discharged from one of the branches of our military, do you know how to ensure that he/she receives the honors accorded him/her?
12- Are you aware of, and have you considered, the many ways that you can save money when someone dies? There is no need to go bankrupt when planning a funeral, yet many families fall deeply into debt when a family member dies.
Death is not an easy subject to discuss and, as such, we tend to avoid it. Because of this, when someone close to us dies, we are confronted with a slew of decisions that must be made quickly - at a time when we are most vulnerable. Unfortunately, when confronted with those decisions, we often turn to those who actually benefit from death, funeral homes and funeral directors, to help us make our choices.
Knowing the decisions that have to be made, and understanding the choices available, can help families through this extremely difficult time. While it cannot replace grief, making the best decisions regarding the final disposition of a loved one can bring a measure of peace.
Katherine Mariaca-Sullivan is a hospice volunteer with the Visiting Nurses Association of Manchester, N.H. Her book, When a Loved One Dies: The Complete Guide to Preparing a Dignified & Meaningful Goodbye, is a how-to guide for families faced with the death of a loved one, whether expected or sudden. The book is available at Amazon, both in print and as an eBook, as well as at Barnes & Noble and at other retailers. The book contains short, actionable chapters that allow readers to understand the choices they must make and to make the appropriate decisions.
For more on this book, please visit: http://www.theessentialebooker.com/books/when-a-loved-one-dies-guide/
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?If-Your-Loved-One-Died-Today,-Would-You-Know-What-to-Do?&id=6599366] If Your Loved One Died Today, Would You Know What to Do?