James A Rutherford Funeral Home
WHAT IS THE GOAL OF DEATH AWARENESS / Dec. 13, 2023.
The overall aims of death awareness are to promote the quality of life and living and to educate and empower people with proper information. This is accomplished through new and expanded knowledge and changes in attitudes and behaviour. This should be the first goal of funeral service to the public and the funeral home should be an advocate for it.
– Rutherford Cremation & Funeral Services
PROCEDURES WHEN A DEATH OCCURS
Whether a death is sudden or expected, the loss of someone you love is indescribable and certainly the emotions are varied. When one is in a heightened emotional state, even the most basic decisions can seem staggering. The following is provided to guide you through the immediate hours following a death.
WHEN A DEATH OCCURS AT HOME
If someone is under hospice care at home and the death was expected, contact the hospice representative, and they will notify the family members of what the proper procedures are. Thankfully, the ability to remain at home prior to dying is becoming more common and supportive and if you find yourself in this situation, please know that at the time of the death, there is no cause for panic in the midst of your sadness. This is a unique time for reflection and to regroup. It is perfectly acceptable to take the time needed before calls are made. Nothing concerning the body of the deceased will change within the space of an hour or even overnight. The funeral home may be called to come at the time you are ready.
WHEN A DEATH OCCURS AT A LONG-TERM CARE HOME / HOSPITAL / HOSPICE FACILITY
The staff of a care facility such as a hospital, nursing home or hospice will often notify you prior to a death occurring. They will ask you if a funeral home has been notified. Often, they will ask this question upon the intake of an individual and the funeral home will be notified at the time of passing. If you are present when the funeral director arrives, they will ask a few questions about the deceased's wishes and set up a time to make arrangements with you. If you are not present, the funeral home will contact you by telephone at a later time.
INFORMING A FUNERAL HOME
A funeral home may be informed about a potential death prior to it occurring. In fact, it is common and preferable to call the funeral home to get things in order. It is beforehand that the best decisions are made and the funeral director can certainly provide all the options and information you would need.
MEETING WITH A FUNERAL DIRECTOR BY PHONE, EMAIL OR IN PERSON.
I cannot speak for other funeral homes, but if you have already made a connection with Rutherford Cremation & Funeral Services, chances are you have been told of the important questions that need to be answered when a death occurs. The answers to those questions will allow the director to complete the proper government paperwork on your behalf and create the Proof of Death certificates you will need for estate affairs afterward. At Rutherford Cremation & Funeral Services arrangements may be made in the comfort of your own home, through email, or at the funeral home. There are some people who simply don't want to come into a funeral home or are unable to do so.
THE QUESTIONS
As a convenience, the important questions that need to be answered concerning the one who has died are:
1. What is the deceased's full and proper name? (And maiden name if applicable)
2. What is the deceased's full address?
3. What is the deceased's birthdate?
4. What is the deceased's birthplace?
5. What is the deceased's SIN # (Social Insurance Number)?
6. What is the deceased's health card number?
7. What is the deceased's father's name?
8. What is the deceased's father's birthplace
9. What is the deceased's mother's name (and maiden name)?
10. What is the deceased's mother's birthplace?
11. What was the deceased's occupation? In what field of work? (Please do not list “retired." It should be a job that they paid into CPP through an employer.)
12. What is the deceased's marital status?
13. What is the deceased spouse's or common-law partner's full and proper name? (Even if divorced or deceased) Also, maiden name (if applicable).
14. What is the deceased spouse's or common-law partner's SIN#? Date of birth? Place of birth? (IF LIVING)
15. Is there a will? (IF THE ANSWER IS “NO" - PLEASE GO TO QUESTION # 18
16. What is the full and proper name of the executor(s) of the will? (If there is more than one executor, please list all executors. What is their relationship to the deceased?
Note: Please do not list the people who WOULD be executors, if the executor is unwilling or unable. Please note, that people who are “Power of Attorney" are not necessarily the executor of the will.
17. What is/are the executor's full address(es), email(s) and phone number(s).
18. What is the NEXT OF KIN'S contact information? (name/address/phone/email)
19. What is the Next of Kin's relationship to the deceased.
20. Who will be signing the necessary paperwork to carry out the arrangements and what is their relationship to the deceased.
21. Are there children of the deceased who are under 25 years of age and attending school full-time?
NOTE: There is a one-time lump sum death benefit of $2500 that is available and the funeral home will apply for this on your behalf. It depends upon the deceased having worked and having paid into the CPP (Canada Pension Plan) through an employer.
If there is a spouse of the deceased who is living, the funeral home will ask you to please bring in the marriage certificate, in order to apply for a spousal support benefit.
We hope this has been informative.
UNTIL SOON. LIVE WELL.
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