When A Death Occurs

When a death occurs, there are several issues to consider. The arrangement of the issues and responsibilities usually depends on whether the death occurred at a residence, a public place, a care center, or in a hospital.

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  With Hospice or Home Health Care Assistance

  If Hospice or a Home Health Care provider has been assisting the family until the death occurs, then usually the family will notify Hospice or the provider and they will notify the proper people in the correct order. They will contact the physician, the Coroner’s office, and then Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers. With Hospice or a Home Health Care Provider involved, a simple phone call is the only notification that the Coroner needs. The Coroner will not need to come to the residence to review any information.

• Under Physician Care, but Not Home Assisted

  If Hospice or a Home Health Care Provider is not involved, but the person is under a physicians care, and family or friends are present, the family may want to call Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers, 806-698-8085, directly. If 911 is called and an ambulance responds, the ambulance crew needs to notify the police who will then need to come to the residence. The police will then have their normal investigation that they will need to follow through with before calling Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers.

• 

  Death Occuring at Home, with No Assistance

  If the death occurs in a residence and no one is there at the time of death, the police will need to be notified and respond to the residence before the removal of the deceased from their home.

• In a Healthcare Facility

  If the death occurs in a hospital or care center, Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers as the funeral home provider may be left with them, and the institution will notify the funeral home at the time of the death. The funeral home will respond and at the next practical time, review matters with the family. If a loved one dies while away from home within the United States, contact Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers and notify us of the death so we can help arrange through a local funeral home to transfer the remains to our facility. If the coroner or medical examiner is involved, they can also help coordinate arrangements with our funeral home for the preparation and return of your loved one to Lubbock.

• 

  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 (806) 698-8085.

  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 (806) 698-8085 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
  • Scheduling vehicles
  • 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 things, and knowing their favorite song or favorite gathering place – even their favorite activity – will help us create a truly fitting memorial service.

  Our funeral arrangers 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.

  • Full legal name
  • Home address
  • Social Security number
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Father's name
  • Mother's maiden name
  • Veteran's discharge papers (DD-214)
  • Recent Photograph
  • Highest education
  • Occupation
  • Place of burial (if applicable)
  • Clothing
  • Clergy name and phone number
  • Survivors (name and relationship)
  • Insurance policies (if applicable)

• A staff member of Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers will be honored to explain all of the options available to you.