When A Death Occurs

When a 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.

At Home or at Work

When a death occurs at home (not under Hospice care) or in the workplace, a family member or co-worker should contact the local police and emergency personnel (EMS). 

However, if the death occurs at home and the person has been under Hospice care, then the police and EMS will not need to be notified.  The family can call the funeral home directly.

If in any case you are not sure of who to notify or what to do, you may call (973) 697-6700, 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 have the reassurance you need that all is taken care of properly.)

If a loved one was in the care of a hospice program at a residence, the hospice should be called and someone from hospice will need to come to the residence to pronounce the person's passing.   Usually the hospice will inform the funeral home of the person's passing, but if the family prefers they can also contact the funeral home directly.


Widening the Circle

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

While you may ask the director any questions at this time, you will be able to discuss the arrangements in detail later when you meet in person. 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 have 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 (973) 697-6700.

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 contact one of our staff at (973) 697-6700 to learn more about pre-arrangement.


What to Expect When You Arrive at the Funeral Home

One of the first things the funeral arranger will do is to provide you with our 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; we want to hear your ideas and desires, and use them as the foundation for the arrangement process.

This process may include:

- Preparing and filing the official death certificate

- Scheduling the location, date and time of services or events

- Selecting a casket, urn or other items

- Preparing an obituary notice

- Selecting pallbearers

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

We’d like you to bring any photos, a favorite song, or memorabilia so that you and your funeral arranger can better discuss how you would like your loved one to be remembered. Having these items, and knowing their favorite song or favorite gathering place – even their favorite activity – will help us create a truly fitting funeral / memorial service.

Joyce or Todd 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 funeral arranger will discuss personalization with you during your arrangement conference.

The following checklist will help you remember what information about the decedent and items will be needed when meeting with a funeral arranger.Statistical Information about the Decedent needed for the completion of the Death Certificate

- Full legal name- Legal residence- Date of birth- Place of birth, (City and State) or (Country)- Social Security number- Father's name- Mother's maiden name- Marital status at time of death- Surviving spouse (if wife Maiden Name)- Highest education level completed- Branch of Military- Occupation- Name of Informant (next of kin)- Name of cemetery (if applicable)

_________________________________________________________________________________

Please bring the following personal items of the deceased to the funeral home:

- Clothing, preferably long sleeves with high neck

- Full Compliment of undergarments (shoes are optional)- Dentures (if worn)- Jewelry, Eyeglasses, etc. (personal items to be placed in the casket)- Recent Photograph for web site obituary Military Discharge papers (DD-214)Cemetery Deed (if available)- Church / Clergy name and phone number- Survivors (name and relationship)- Insurance policies (if applicable and assignable to the funeral home)


A staff member of Stickle-Soltesz Funeral Home will be honored to explain all of the options available to you.