Overview
It may be a call from a member of the family, the physician or clergyman … knowing the necessary steps to take when a death occurs may assist in relieving a feeling of helplessness.
At the time of death and in most cases, the attending physician or coroner will be required to pronounce the death.
If the death has occurred at home, the physician or coroner will then advise the family when the deceased may be transferred to the funeral home. The same procedure applies if the death has occurred at a hospital, nursing home or other health care facility.
In some cases, a Coroner (Medical Examiner) will investigate a death. The Coroner may be contacted by a physician, the police or the funeral director. This may occur when someone who has not been under a physician’s care dies suddenly, is killed in an accident, or when death is due to other than natural cause.
The Coroner may, under the law, request an autopsy (medical dissection of the body).The permission of the family or the executor of the estate in not required under these circumstances.
PROCEDURES FOR A PLANNED HOME DEATH
Dying persons have the right to choose to die at home, surrounded by their loved ones.
Individuals and their families, whose choice is a planned home death can expect that their wishes will be respected, and they will receive support and coordinated care.
A planned home death is a situation where an individual has chosen to die at home, and the death is expected and deterioration to death occurs in its anticipated sequence.
Decision making for a planned home death should be a collaborative process giving primary consideration to what is in the best interest of the patient and family and involving the patient/family, family physician, nursing personnel and others as needed.
DISCUSS option of in-home death with your physician.
MAKE A PLAN with your family physician so you are clear about what will happen and family/friends will know what to do at the time of death.
YOUR PLAN WILL INCLUDE:
Who will pronounce the death;
How your physician can be reached;
What alternative arrangements have been made should your physician be unavailable and can not be reached;
Patients wishes should be clarified by signing a DO NOT RESUSCITATE form
Which funeral home should be called to transport the deceased
MAKE PREARRANGEMENTS WITH A FUNERAL HOME:
Such arrangements will normally involve selecting the funeral home and making plans with the funeral director for transportation of the deceased after death and the options available for final disposition.
COMMUNICATE IN WRITING YOUR PLAN TO FAMILY, FRIENDS and others such as your spiritual advisor so they may support your decisions and respect your wishes.
PLANNED HOME DEATHS ARE ANTICIPATED EVENTS. When the death occurs -
DO NOT CALL 911, the ambulance, police or fire department.
CALL family, friends and the spritual advisor you would like to have present.
CALL the physician to pronounce death. If your physician cannot be reached, call the backup physician or registered nurse.
CALL the funeral home when your are ready. Each death is different. It can be a time of crises or relative calm. It is not necessary to call immediately. Take time to call the relatives and friends you want to be with you. Once the physician or other authorized person has been to your home and pronounced the death, and you feel ready, call the funeral home you have selected and arrange for the transfer.
There are communities in British Columbia without physicians who live in the community and without a funeral home.It is essential that these situations be discussed by the patient, family and physician and an appropriate plan suitable for the community be made in advance.
Complete information can be obtained by requesting a copy of “Joint Protocol for the Management of Planned Home Deaths.” Click Here
CONTACTING THE FUNERAL HOME
Call The Funeral Home To Make An Appointment
One of the first steps the personal representative of the deceased (exector named in the Will) must take is to contact the funeral home. Remember, most funeral homes are available to take your calls, 24 hours a day and are there to answer any questions you may have. This could be an extremely confusing time for you. The funeral director will be able to guide you through the necessary steps that need to be taken and provide you with some reassurances. From the information you have given the funeral home, they will be able to make arrangements to have the deceased transferred to the funeral home. At this time the funeral director will set a convenient time for you and your family to come to the funeral home and make further arrangements.
It is very important for you to set an appointment with the funeral director. This will enable the funeral director and your family enough time for private consultation. The most simple arrangements can take 1 – 1 1/2 hours to make.
In some cases the family may wish to make the arrangements from the comfort of their own home. This option is available however it is recommended that it is best in most cases to make arrangements at the funeral home. This will ensure that you are dealing with a well maintained licensed facility that is fully equipped to meet with all your needs (i.e. offers a wide range of services, caskets, urns etc.).
REGISTERING THE DEATH
At the time of death the attending physician or coroner will sign a medical certification of death form (this is not the same as a death certificate). In most cases the funeral director will obtain this document which is required to register the death. The registration of death form is filled out by the funeral director. The funeral director will ask you information that is required to complete the form such as: residency information, marital status, personal health care number, occupation, birth date and birth place, father and mother’s names and birthplace. Both forms are filed at the BC Vital Statistics Agency. A permit for disposition (burial or cremation) is then issued to the funeral director. The funeral director will also ask you how many original death certificates you will require. For most estates, two original death certificates should be sufficient. The funeral director will then order the death certificates for you. Death Certificates are $27.00 each.
DO I NEED TO BRING IN CLOTHING?
You may wish at this time to bring clothing for the deceased to the funeral home. Even if you do not wish to view the deceased, bringing in clothing can provide you and your family comfort and be psychologically beneficial. Clothing can be any type of apparel such as a nightgown, sportswear, formal attire.
WILL I NEED TO SELECT A CASKET FOR BURIAL OR CREMATION?
Before you and the family visit the funeral home to make the necessary arrangements you should know whether burial or cremation has been selected as the final disposition.You will be asked to select a casket. In British Columbia, the deceased MUST be placed and secured in a casket or container PRIOR to cremation taking place. A casket may also must also be selected for burial.
The casket selection room will probably have a variety of caskets constructed of various materials. The three main selections are: hardwood, cloth covered and metal. Hardwood and cloth covered caskets are suitable for cremation, however, metal is not. A popular choice is a hardwood casket suitable for cremation and for ceremonies held before cremation or burial takes place. Minimum containers made of particle board may also be available. Casket and container costs will vary according to the materials used and designs selected.
You may also wish to discuss at this time the selection of an urn for cremated remains. If applicable, cemetery arrangements will also have to be made. The cemetery in most cases will need at least 24 hours notice prior to burial. By provincial law, cremation can not take place prior to 48 hours after the death. Requirements for burial in British Columbia include a burial permit and plot for interment. Some cemeteries also require that a grave liner be purchased.
There are few professions that supply as much service, on such short notice, as does the funeral director. Simple or elaborate – your decisions should be based upon sound, accurate information.