At Family Funeral Care, we offer compassionate, professional support, taking care of all necessary arrangements with the utmost respect.
Many people will only have to arrange a funeral once or twice in their life and so its natural to be overwhelmed and wonder what to do first. The steps you need to take will depend on where and how the death occurred. Here’s a guide to help you through the first steps:
What to do when someone dies at home
If the death was expected
In cases where the death was anticipated, here’s what you should do:
- Contact the GP: Notify the deceased’s GP to confirm the death. If it’s after hours, you might need to contact a locum doctor who will visit and confirm the death.
- Follow up: Once a locum doctor has confirmed the death, inform the deceased’s GP the following morning.
- Reach out to us: Call Family Funeral Care at 086 807 5213 to begin making funeral arrangements.
- Notify a Minister: If desired, contact a minister or religious leader of your faith.
If the death was unexpected
In situations where the death was unexpected:
- Call the GP: Contact the GP who attended to the deceased during their last illness.
- Notify the Gardaí: The GP might advise you to inform the local Garda Station, as they may need to refer the case to the Coroner.
- Contact us: After taking the necessary steps, call Family Funeral Care at 086 807 5213 to start the funeral planning process.
What to do when someone dies in a hospital, hospice, or nursing home
- Confirmation: A doctor will usually be present or called to confirm the death.
- Post-mortem examination: The medical staff will inform you if a post-mortem is necessary.
- Call us: Once the death is confirmed, contact Family Funeral Care at 086 807 5213 to arrange the funeral.
What to do when someone dies suddenly
- Report the death: Sudden deaths should be reported to An Garda Síochána, who will refer the death to the Coroner.
- Post-mortem examination: The Coroner may order a post-mortem to determine the cause of death, which could delay funeral arrangements by 1-2 days or more, especially if it occurs over a weekend or holiday.
- Contact us: After reporting the death, call Family Funeral Care at 086 807 5213 to start making funeral arrangements.
Every Life is Unique - So is Every Funeral
At Family Funeral Care, we believe that every individual is unique, and their funeral should reflect that. Our goal is to create a final tribute that truly honors your loved one. Whether you choose a traditional burial, cremation, or an eco-friendly option, we’re here to guide you with care and respect.
Here are some things you may like to consider when planning a funeral:
- Wake Arrangements: Decide if there will be a wake and where it will be held.
- Repose Location: Choose whether your loved one will repose at home, in a hospital/hospice, or at a funeral home.
- Viewing Preferences: Decide if the coffin will be open or closed.
- Visitor Guidelines: Determine if the wake is open to all mourners or reserved for family only.
- Service Logistics: Confirm the location, date, and time for the funeral services.
- Death Notice: Decide where to publish the death notice—national newspapers, local radio, or online platforms like RIP.ie—and who should be mentioned.
- Burial or Cremation: Choose between burial or cremation, based on what you feel is most fitting.
- Attire for the Deceased: Select the clothing your loved one will wear during the repose.
- Flowers or Donations: Specify whether to request flowers or charitable donations.
- Service Elements: Plan the prayers, readings, music, and structure of the service.
- Coffin Bearers: Decide if family members will carry the coffin during the funeral.
- Participants: Identify and invite those who will play a role in the service.
- Route to the Church or Graveyard: Determine if the procession should pass by the family home.
- Post-Funeral Arrangements: Consider arranging a lunch or gathering for family and friends after the funeral.
These questions not only help in organising the practical aspects of a funeral but also ensure that every detail reflects the wishes and memories of your loved one.
For more details on how we can help with arranging a funeral see here.