What happens at the time of death?

Death in a hospital or other facility

• The staff at the hospital or other facility will contact the documented legal representative- family member, relative or friend.
• The body of the deceased is kept at the facility until the legal representative states which funeral home to have called for the care of the body.
• The legal representative should collect the deceased's personal belongings. If not, the funeral director will document what belongings - clothing, jewelry, money, etc. that is taken with the body to the funeral home.
• The funeral director will contact the legal representative for instruction on how to care for the body - preparation for viewing (private or public), preparation for cremation, immediate burial, entombment or cremation.
• The legal representative and funeral director will set a time to meet to create the type of service, select the casket, outer burial container, urn, memorial folders, and other merchandise that will help satisfy the needs and wants of the survivors.
• At the arrangement meeting, all aspects of the funeral ceremony will be outlined regardless of the simplicity or complexity of the service. This also the time that the biographical and funeral notice information is required.
• Following the meeting, the death certificate is originated, delivered to the deceased's physician and finally certified by the county registrar.

Death at home

• The legal representative - family member, relative or friend will contact our funeral home.
• One of our funeral directors will contact the county medical examiner or coroner for permission to remove the body from the place of death. The medical examiner may request to view the body before anyone removes the body from the home.
• Again, the funeral director will document what belongings - clothing and jewelry that is taken with the body to the funeral home.
• The funeral director will have confirmed with the legal representative instruction on how to care for the body - preparation for viewing (private or public), preparation for cremation, immediate burial, entombment or cremation.
• The legal representative and funeral director will set a time to meet at the funeral home to create the type of service, select the casket, outer burial container, urn, memorial folders, and other merchandise that will help satisfy the needs and wants of the survivors.
• At the arrangement meeting, all aspects of the funeral ceremony will be outlined regardless of the simplicity or complexity of the service. This also the time that the biographical and funeral notice information is required.
• Following the meeting, the death certificate is originated, delivered to the deceased's physician and finally certified by the county registrar.

Who do you call at the time of death?

At the time of death of a loved one, you may call any of the Joseph S. Klecatsky & Sons family-owned and operated funeral homes anytime of the day or night at 651-451-1551. We will walk with you throughout the entire process.