What Happens AFTER A DEATH OCCURS
When a death occurs, the order in which things need to be done often depends on the nature of the death and where the death occurred. It is extremely important to notify a Funeral Director at Boston Funeral Home, any time of the day or night, to assure an immediate and appropriate response. An immediate notification allows us to communicate and coordinate with you (the family), in addition to a medical facility, physician, coroner/medical examiner, or hospice nurse.
We highly recommend that you have family or friends to support you, and each other, during this time of loss. Even though you may be in heightened emotional state, be aware that questions will be asked and some decisions need to be made. Not every question needs to have an immediate answer unless being interviewed by a police investigator, medical team, or coroner/medical examiner. Be aware that friends, medical personnel, and care workers cannot and should not be answering personal questions or making important decisions on your behalf. If you don't have an immediate answer, simply communicate that to us. It is important to make time for you and your family; to slow down from the whirl wind of life. Together, with your family and our compassionate staff, find resolution to questions and make healthy decisions.
An Unexpected Death
If you suspect a death has occured unexpectedly at home, in the workplace, or in an unexpected location; a family member, acquaintance, or co-worker should contact emergency personnel immediately. If family members are not present, it is vitally important to inform a next of kin that an "emergency has occurred with their loved one". Inform them of their loved one's location, and a name and phone number of emergency personnel to contact.
Emergency services will dispatch police, an ambulance, or the medical examiner/coroner to the designated location. Be prepared to answer questions as police officers, a medical team, or a medical examiner/coroner will interview you and those present at the location of death.
In some situations, your loved one will be taken to a hospital with certain hope a medical team will revive or stabilize the medical condition. It is common for family members to proceed to the hospital waiting room. Unfortunately, sometimes the death will occur at the hospital.
Other times a coroner or medical examiner will pronounce the time and date of death at the location of discovery. Your loved one will be placed in the custody of the medical examiner or coroner for further investigation.
If the death occurs in a residence or a non-care facility, and hospice care is not involved; the police, coroner, or medical examiner will need to be notified and respond to the residence immediately.
Whether your loved one has been put in the custody of the medical examiner/coroner or has been taken to a hospital; your loved one will be placed in our care upon notification and authorized release.
A Death While Under Supervised Care
When a death occurs in a care facility, such as a Hospital, Nursing Home, Community Based Resident Facility (CBRF), or is being cared for at home by family and a Hospice Nurse, the professional staff there will notify you and the funeral home. A funeral director will contact you following our notification to help you proceed. If you are present at the care facility or a home following the death, you are more than welcome to contact us directly. -If you have not been contacted by us, or a facility of care, we encourage you to contact us at 715-344-4223 so you get the reassurance you need.
