Where to Begin
Planning a funeral can be overwhelming, but you are not alone in this. We’re here to support you throughout this journey. Below is some information to help you get started, but if, at any time, you have questions or need to speak with us please do not hesitate to call. Our office is open everyday from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. We are staffed for removals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Within Hours
When a loved one dies at home or at a healthcare facility that does not have a physician on staff, you’ll need to contact either emergency personnel or the hospice organization you are working with, if applicable, first. They will then contact us as soon as they are ready for our assistance. This is important because it determines who will sign the death certificate.
Decide how and when you want to notify relatives and close friends. In these days of social media, word spreads quickly. Sometimes, family members find out before you have a chance to let them know.
We will call you to schedule a time that is convenient for you to come to the funeral home and make arrangements. We will ask if you are considering burial or cremation and if we have your permission to embalm the body. Embalming is not required by law, but it is required if you would like to have a public visitation with the body present.
Within the First Few Days
Think about your loved one’s funeral wishes and how they would want to be remembered.
- Would you like a traditional service at the funeral home, your church or at a cemetery? Would you prefer a site where you can offer food and beverages in a more casual setting to celebrate their life?
- If burial - did your loved one own cemetery property? If not, you will need to purchase a burial plot. You will also want to ask about the opening/closing fee and if a vault or outer burial container is required by the cemetery.
- If cremation – would they want a traditional service with a casket followed by the cremation or would they have preferred to have the cremation take place first and have a memorial service now or even at a later date?
- Do you intend to bury the cremains in a cemetery, inter them in a columbarium or keep the urn with you or your family?
- Talk with your minister or person who is to conduct the service to find out when he or she is available. Work with your director to confirm availablity of the funeal home, church or other facility. As you can imagine, there are often several people to coordinate with before dates and times can be confirmed. Please do not publicize arrangements until you have spoken with one of our funeral directors.
What to Bring With You to the Funeral Home
You will need to bring the following information with you to the arrangement conference:
- Information for the Death Certificate:
- Full Name of the deceased (first, middle and maiden name, if applicable)
- Social Security number
- Full name of both of the deceased’s parents (including first, middle and mother’s maiden name)
- Date of birth of the deceased
- Place of birth of the decesed
- Occupation of the decesed (even if retired)
- Highest level of education completed
- Any military discharge papers (DD-214), if applicable, in order for us to request a flag and/or military honors. Paperwork must show "honorable" discharge.
- Clothing
Full clothing including undergarments. Shoes are not necessary but will certainly be used if you would like.
Glasses and jewelry may be used. Please advise us of any jewelry that is to be returned to you before the casket is closed.
We also ask that you provide a recent photograph to help with cosmetics and hair. - Burial or Insurance Policies
Please bring any policies that you may have to the arrangement conference. We are happy to work with any insurance company and can take an assisgment for funeral expenses, if applicable.
What to Expect When We Meet
When you meet with a member of our staff to discuss arrangements, this process will include:
- Obtaining the vital information on your loved one to prepare and file the death certificate
- Scheduling the services and events (including the location, date, and time)
- Selecting a casket, urn, or other products you may need
- Drafting an obituary
- Ordering certified death certificates
Obituary
Obituaries may be emailed to us at info@laughlinservice.com. The obituary can offer as much information as you like. AL.com offers an on-line obituary with unlimited words and up to 3 photos for $189. Most papers published in other cities charge by the word although some offer a smaller death announcement. Sample obituaries can be found on our website. You will need to decide if you want to accept flowers from family and friends or if you would prefer to name a charity as the beneficiary of gifts in memory of your loved one or both. We encourage you to include that information in the obituary.
Laughlin Service’s website offers personalized obituaries at no charge. You can also upload pictures and video to the site for friends and family to view.
Flowers
We have many wonderful florists in our area. You are welcome to order flowers directly or your funeral director is happy to assist you with ordering. We will coordinate delivery with whoever you choose and transport flowers from the place of the service to the cemetery. You may also choose to use a church pall (if available) or a flag draped over the casket if your loved one was a veteran.
Pallbearers
Traditionally, six pallbearers are needed and should be physically able to load the casket into the hearse at the location of the service and also carry it from the hearse to the grave at the cemetery. Honorary pallbearers may be named, if you want to include special friends and family who may not be able to physically assist. Immediate family members may participate as pallbearers if they so desire.
Social Security
The Social Security Administration recieves the notice of death when the death certificate is filed with the state. That should stop any payment being recieved but you will want to follow up with a phone call. You will also need to contact them to secure the one-time death benefit of $255 if you qualify as the surviving spouse or if there are minor children or dependent adult children.
Death Certificates
We will assist you in obtaining death certificates. That process can sometimes take up to two weeks but is often much faster depending on when it is signed by the doctor or coroner. The number needed varies depending on each family’s situation. The State charges $15 for the first one and $6 for each additional certified copy. You will not need one for Social Security but you will need one for banks, securities, insurance policies, any property that you may need to sell, such as a home or vehicle, and to probate a will. Your director will be happy to discuss this with you in more detail.
Music
You will want to think about music for the funeral service and if you wish to have live or recorded music. We can help with securing vocalists, pianist, bag pipers, etc.
Personalized Visitation
We would encourage you to bring pictures and family mementoes to display. If the visitation and/or service is going to take place at the funeral home, we have magnetic picture boards available as well as a variety of large and tabletop easels for your convenience. We also have a television and dvd player in each visitation room and in our chapel. You can bring your own video or we offer memorial tribute videos, for purchase. We recommend that the family arrive 30 minutes to one hour in advance to allow time to set up.
