What To Do When a Death Occurs
For most people when a death occurs they are unaware of what necessary steps they need to take. This will be determined by your circumstances and location when a death occurs. We hope this information will assist you when you are required to make these important decisions. Snodgrass Funeral Home is here to assist you 24 hours a day 7 days a week whether your need is immediate or in preparation of an anticipated death.
A Death Has Occurred at an Institution
When a death occurs in a hospital, nursing home or convalescent home, the medical staff will handle all the necessary steps for you. You will simply need to inform the institution that Snodgrass Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. The funeral home will complete the removal and care of the decedent.
- Inform the institution to contact Snodgrass Funeral Home at (304) 768-7324.
- If an appointment is not made with the funeral home when the removal is completed, you will need to call the funeral home to schedule an appointment to make the arrangements.
Anticipated Death Has Occurred at Home
In most cases of terminal illnesses, families will make decisions and prepare in advance to keep loved ones at home with the assistance of Hospice.
- Contact Hospice – if the nurse is not already present, the nurse will come to your home and pronounce the date and time the death has occurred and will supervise the removal of the decedent.
- Contact Snodgrass Funeral Home at (304) 768-7324. The Hospice nurse will usually take care of this for you, for the removal and care of the decedent.
- If an appointment is not made with the funeral home when the removal is completed, you will need to call the funeral home to schedule an appointment to make the arrangements.
Unanticipated Death Has Occurred at Home or Other Location
In a situation where a death has occurred unexpectedly at home or another location, you will need to call 911 for the police and emergency medical personnel. In some cases the decedent may be taken to the Medical Examiner’s Office if the cause of death is unknown. This will be determined by the emergency responders.
- Contact 911 Immediately.
- Contact Snodgrass Funeral Home at (304) 768-7324 for the removal and care of the decedent, if the emergency responders have determined the cause of death and are not required to take the decedent to the Medical Examiner’s Office.
- If an appointment is not made with the funeral home when the removal is completed, you will need to call the funeral home to schedule an appointment to make the arrangements.
A Death Has Occurred Out of State
When a death occurs out of state you will need to contact Snodgrass Funeral Home at (304) 768-7324 or (888) 349-8624. We will coordinate the transfer with a local funeral home or mortuary service at the place of death and assist you with other arrangement details. If you are anticipating the death of a loved one and would like to make advance preparations you may contact us any time.
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