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When a Death Occurs
Helping You Navigate What Comes Next
The death of a loved one can be overwhelming. At a time of grief, there are also important decisions that must be made. The information below is intended to help guide you through the first steps, at your own pace, and to reassure you that support is available.
Planning at the time of death
Transfer from the Place of Death
If your loved one passes away at home or in a nursing home, arrangements must be made promptly. However, if death occurs in a hospital, you typically have a longer period of time to work with a funeral professional. Hospitals are usually equipped with refrigerated morgue facilities to temporarily hold deceased individuals, while nursing homes and hospices generally lack this capacity.
Planning the Service
Decisions about a memorial service will also need to be made relatively quickly. This can be challenging if you're unsure of the deceased's final wishes. Consider reaching out to family and friends to learn whether they ever discussed funeral preferences with your loved one. Gathering everyone together—whether in person or by phone—is often the most efficient way to plan the service and divide responsibilities.
Seeking Help
​​Many funeral and grief professionals provide online guides, materials and information to help you through this specific time.
You may wish to reach out to your local church or religious group, if you are so affiliated.
Planning in Advance
Ask your loved one
Making funeral decisions in advance, before the emotional weight of loss sets in, is significantly easier. When you can discuss arrangements directly with your loved one—or when they make the plans themselves—you'll have the lasting comfort of knowing their wishes were honoured.
Educate Yourself
Take time to educate yourself about funeral options, compare prices and locations, and consider whether prepaying for services makes sense for your situation. The checklist below highlights the key steps involved in planning ahead, allowing you to record your wishes, organize important information, and provide clear guidance for those who will one day carry them out.
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Reach out to us. We are happy to discuss options for your interment plans.
Working with Elmwood
Once you have selected an interment site and the rights to inter have been obtained, your funeral professional will normally reach out to us directly.
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If you are coordinating the interment yourself, it is important that you communicate with us as early as possible. It can take one to two business days to prepare and open a grave.​
Please speak with us as early as possible.
