After Death - What Happens Now :: Family Matters, Frederick MD

	Immediately Following a Death: What Happens Now

	What happens if my loved one dies in a hospital or nursing home? My mother is on hospice care, and I know the time is near. What do I do? What happens with a sudden death away from home? What happens when a death occurs out of state? I’ve made an appointment with you to discuss a loved one’s funeral arrangements. What do I need to be prepared to discuss?
	No matter where the circumstances are surrounding the death, our experienced, compassionate funeral directors will know what to do. A licensed funeral director is always available around the clock, seven days a week to assist you.
	What happens if my loved one dies in a hospital or nursing home? The medical staff will take care of everything. Just let them know that Keeney & Basford is the funeral home you have chosen, and they will have you sign a form which will allow us to begin to handle all the arrangements.
	My mother is on hospice care, and I know the time is near. What do I do? Once again, just notify Hospice that you have chosen Keeney & Basford Funeral Home, and they will take it from there. Many times, the family of a person with a terminal illness will have made pre-arrangements with us so that they are not overwhelmed with these decisions at the time of death.
	What happens with a sudden death away from home? Call 911 immediately, and the responding police and medical personnel will determine the next step. Sometimes, the body can be released directly to the funeral home; other times, the Medical Examiner’s Office may need to determine the cause of death.
	What happens when a death occurs out of state? Call us immediately at 301.662.2175. We can coordinate with a local funeral director at the place of death.
	I’ve made an appointment with you to discuss a loved one’s funeral arrangements. What do I need to be prepared to discuss? If possible, please print out a copy of our At-Need Form and fill it out by hand. This contains information we will need for the death certificate. (Download an At-Need Form here) Organize information for the death notice or obituary. Include names of survivors and other pertinent information. If someone in the family who would like to write it, please bring a copy for us to send to the newspaper(s) you request. (Death notices and obituaries are only accepted from funeral homes.) Decide if you would like to include a suggestion in the obituary for those who wish to make a contribution to a charity in the deceased’s memory. If the deceased’s was active in a service group, church or club, a gift to that organization would be especially meaningful. Below is an alphabetical listing of Frederick non-profits who would be grateful for a memorial donation, and who will send an acknowledgement of your gift—without reference to the amount—to the family. Put the name of the deceased on your check’s memo line, and enclose the name and address of the person to whom you would like your gift acknowledged.
	Arc of Frederick County, Inc. Provides advocacy, access to resources, assistance in increasing individual and family competencies, and community connections for people with developmental disabilities. Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Frederick County Provides community and school-based mentoring to children who have academic, social and mental health problems due to growing up in a dysfunctional family. Catholic Charities of Frederick County Provides affordable, individual, family, couples, individual and child counseling and school based services in Emmitsburg, Frederick, Mount Airy, and Brunswick Community Foundation of Frederick County, Maryland Inc. Community Foundation Helps people fulfill their charitable dreams by establishing charitable funds, which support scholarships to deserving students and grants to Frederick County charities. Frederick County 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program, Inc. Provided therapy, education, recreation and socialization to mental, physical and emotionally disabled individuals, through the use of horses at no charge. Community Living, Inc Provides residential services to adults with developmental disabilities in Frederick County, Maryland. Frederick County Crisis Pregnancy Center, Inc. Offers alternatives to abortion by supporting individuals facing unintended pregnancy through free medical, emotional, practical and spiritual help. Frederick County Mental Health Association, Inc. Provides child abuse prevention services, 24-hour hotlines, child care provider training and referrals, sliding scale counseling services, community and parent education and court-appointed special advocates. Friends for Neighborhood Progress, Inc. Provides food, shelter, medical care, housing and other services, to low-income and homeless families/individuals. Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County, MD Provides simple, decent, affordable homes to families in need. Hospice of Frederick County Provides compassionate care to patients and their families facing a terminal illness. National Alliance on Mental Illness of Frederick County, Inc. Provides information (help line, brochures, newsletter), education (classes, public education), and support (calls and groups) to persons with mental illness and their families. Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs Provides emergency financial assistance in Frederick County, including food, rental assistance, and health care, and operates a homeless shelter. United Way of Frederick County Provides support to children and families through emergency services and Health education, and serves those with disabilities through 22 partner agencies.
	4. Flowers The family making the funeral arrangements typically orders the Casket Spray and any inside pieces. The casket spray is a floral composition designed to be placed on top of the casket. The inside pieces refer to small tributes placed inside the casket, and may include nosegays, satin crosses, pillows and hearts. These are usually sent by grandchildren, or other very young relatives. We can assist you with these selections, or you may choose to work directly with the florist of your choice. 5. Location for Services Our Etchison Memorial Chapel is available for those who desire a service or ceremony at our funeral home. (Click here to see the Chapel [video]) Sometimes, people return to the faith traditions of their childhood when facing a difficult time, such as when the death of a loved one occurs. For those people, who may not currently be connected with a church or faith community, we offer this list of area churches and Houses of Worship. (Download list here) 6. Priest, Minister or Rabbi’s Name and Contact Information 7. Limousine Service? For whom, and for how long? 8. Pallbearers 9. Cemetery Arrangements Cemetery arrangements are separate transactions between the family and the cemetery facility. Here is a list of local cemeteries. (Download list here) In the case of military cemetery, we will make the schedule arrangements with a Copy of the DD214 indicating an Honorable Discharge 10. Insurance Policies If you choose to pay for the funeral with a life insurance policy, please bring the following: Assignment signed by the beneficiary for proceeds Copy of the certified death certificate Original policy or lost policy statement After we verify that the policy is active, we will submit the information you have provided with a copy of our statement of goods and services provided to you. The insurance company will pay us directly.