When A Death Occurs

When death occurs, the order in which things need to be done often depends on where the death occurred. But, one thing should always be remembered: your heightened emotional state upon the death of a loved one. That's why we suggest that you ask a friend for help - someone who is more able to think clearly, and give you the support you need. 

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  At Home or at Work

  When a death occurs at home or in the workplace, a family member or co-worker should contact emergency personnel and the person's physician if he or she was under a doctor's care. If the death occurs at home with family or friends present, and the person is under a physician's care, the family will want to call us directly.

  However, if the death occurs in a residence and no one is there at the time of death, the police will need to be notified and respond to the residence before the deceased is removed from their home.

  If in any case you are not sure of who to notify or what to do, you may call Ashes on the Sea, and we'll assist you in notifying the proper agencies.

• While Under Supervised Care

  When a death occurs in a care facility, such as a hospital or nursing home, the professional staff will notify you and the necessary authorities. If the name of the funeral home has been left with them, the institution will notify the funeral home at the time of the death. The funeral director will contact you immediately following their notification to help you proceed. (However, we suggest you contact the funeral home immediately, so you've got the reassurance you need that all is taken care of properly.)

  If a loved one was in the care of a hospice program, a hospice representative will give family members instructions and procedures to follow. The coroner/medical examiner will be notified by hospice. Following their release the hospice will contact the funeral home. It is always a good idea for the family to contact the funeral home immediately so that we will be aware of the pending call from hospice.

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  Widening the Circle

  Our staff members are experienced professionals who can provide much of the information you need, emotional support and compassionate guidance.

  While Ashes on the Sea does not provide the actual cremation service, we have worked with many fine funeral establishments over the years that we would trust to refer to you.

  It is usually during this initial call, the funeral director will gather information to be able to transport your loved one to the funeral home.

  The funeral director may ask you several questions, including whether your loved one made any pre-arrangements. The director will also schedule a date and time for you to meet at the funeral home and will let you know what you should bring with you. Others you will need to call are:

  • Family members and friends
  • Clergy or other spiritual advisors
  
  

  Those Important Questions

  If there is no pre-plan in place, there are several other questions that you may need to have answered in regards to the death of your loved one:

  • Do I have to have embalming?
  • Do I need to purchase a casket?
  • What about cemetery arrangements?
  • Does the family have to engage the services of a minister?
  • What type of service should we have?
  
  

  By contacting our staff, we'll be able to help answer your questions and assist in making the appropriate plans. You can reach us at (877) 277-2799. We can help you to sort through some of these questions. For example, if there will be a cremation, and the ashes will be scattered soon, there is no 'need' to purchase an expensive cremation urn, although you may do so if you wish...

  However, as we’ve said before, one of the best ways to make sure that all of your questions and desires are taken care of is to make pre-arrangements. This is as simple as outlining your wishes to having all of the details written down and the financial arrangements prepaid. Please visit our Plan Ahead section of our Website for some useful information and tools.

• What to Expect When You Arrive at the Funeral Home

  One of the first things the funeral arranger should do is to provide you with a general price list. He or she will then guide you through the entire arrangement process, explaining how you can create a memorable personal celebration of your loved one's life. This is not a one-way conversation; your ideas and desires should be made known at this time, to be used as the foundation for the arrangement process.

  This process may include:

  • Preparing and filing the official death certificate & burial permit
  • Scheduling the location, date and time of services or events
  • Selecting a casket, urn or other items
  • Preparing an obituary notice
  • Scheduling vehicles
  • Selecting pallbearers
  
  

  You may also sign necessary authorizations or make arrangements to have them signed by the appropriate family members.

  The Memorial Service

  If Ashes on the Sea will be arranging your memorial service at sea, we can coordinate with your funeral director which will help us create a truly fitting memorial service. We’d like you to email any photos, a favorite song, or memorabilia so that we can all better discuss how you would like your loved one to be remembered. Having these things, and knowing their favorite song or favorite gathering place – even their favorite activity – will help us create a truly fitting memorial service.

  You can also send us a few paragraphs of text for the online obituary. If the funeral home requests this as well, you can copy that text and send it  to us so that we can include it in your loved one's free LifeTribute Website.

  We will assist you in planning a loving tribute that captures the spirit of the person whose life you wish to honor. To learn more about personalizing the service, please read the Honoring Life section of this Web site. 

  The following checklist will help you remember what information about the decedent and items will be needed when meeting with a funeral arranger.

  • Full legal name
  • Home address
  • Social Security number
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Father's name
  • Mother's maiden name
  • Veteran's discharge papers (DD-214)
  • Recent Photograph
  • Highest education
  • Occupation
  • Place of burial (if applicable)
  • Clothing
  • Clergy name and phone number
  • Survivors (name and relationship)
  • Insurance policies (if applicable)
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Getting More Help

We have many resources, depending where you live, of service agencies that can assist you with all of this.

San Diego

• Call A Fond Remembrance - DeAnna Breault - (619) 718-2088