When Death Occurs Away From Home
- Living
in a society "on the move" has changed many patterns of American
family life. Frequent trips by family members outside of their
immediate communities are commonplace
- Retirement
of the elderly to other climates, job transfers, and extensive
vacation travel, all cause separation of the family unit. The
mobility of our society often creates urgent problems or emergencies
that must be met by the entire family through long distance
arrangements.
- A
death away from home is a family emergency that causes great
concern.
- Prior
knowledge of what to do under these circumstances will relieve
many burdens of the family who has the responsibility for making
funeral arrangements.
Call
the hometown funeral director
When a death occurs away from home, an immediate phone call should
be placed by a responsible person to the hometown funeral director.
This should be done regardless of where or when the death takes
place.
The
hometown funeral director will know exactly what to do and can
offer valuable counsel in assisting the family to meet the immediate
needs of the emergency. Remembering this simple rule will often
facilitate the decisions that must be made.
A
death away from home may lead to additional expense. The amount
of additional cost will depend on the circumstances and the services
requested. The hometown funeral director will explain these charges
and advise you of the various alternatives available.
The
funeral director's primary responsibility is to provide professional
services, facilities, equipment, and funeral merchandise.
Generally
speaking, the casket should be selected from the funeral director
who will be called upon to direct the funeral and provide the
facilities necessary for the service. This will usually be the
hometown funeral director. He or she will act as your agent and
counselor in dealing with the other professionals involved, which
includes making the necessary arrangements to have the deceased
appropriately transported to his funeral home.
Selection
of a burial vault is another consideration for the family. The
National Funeral Directors Association Code suggests that the
family select the burial vault from the funeral director who will
be responsible for arranging the interment. Selecting the vault
from the funeral director serving at the place of burial will
save the cost of transporting the receptacle, and will alleviate
any unnecessary delay or confusion at the cemetery.
In
addition to the primary considerations enumerated, there will
be other aspects to consider that will require professional attention
in returning the deceased to the place where the funeral will
be conducted. The funeral director who will be directing the funeral
will coordinate all essential activities with the other funeral
director involved.
As
you counsel with your funeral director, keep in mind that he or
she can best serve when there is complete understanding of cost.
Funeral directors expect those they serve to discuss cost frankly
with them. A mutual understanding in this regard will ease the
concern of the family and will enable the funeral director to
serve better.
Prior
knowledge and forethought of what to do when a death occurs away
from home can be very helpful to the family. The best advice is
to call the hometown funeral director immediately. He or she is
professionally trained to counsel and assist with all necessary
funeral details arising from the emergency.
