When a death occurs in your family, you will be faced with important tasks and decision-making during a very difficult time. You may not know what to do or when to begin making arrangements. Bearing the responsibility can be overwhelming. Remember that you are not alone. Bostick-Tompkins Funeral Home is available 24 hours a day to assist you with the details and offer our guidance. We have compiled the following list to help guide you through the steps you will need to take when a death has occurred. One of our well trained funeral directors will help coordinate all of the funeral details when you come into the office to complete funeral arrangements.
After a death has occurred, notify Bostick-Tompkins Funeral Home by calling 803-254-2000. The following are some questions that we may ask when you call:
What is the full name of the deceased?
What is the location of the deceased (Hospital, Nursing Facility or residence)?
What is your name, address and telephone number?
What is the name, address and phone number of the next-of-kin?
Is there a pre-arranged funeral plan?
We will then set an appointment time for you to come to the funeral home to complete the details of the funeral arrangement. These items include:
Clothing for the deceased
Social security card/number of the deceased
The deceased's birth date and city and state of birth
The deceased's parents names, including mother's maiden name
Information about the deceased's education
Marital status of the deceased
Veteran's discharge papers (DD214)
A recent photograph of the deceased
Cemetery plot information (if applicable)
other important information
Contact your clergy. Decide on a time and place for the home going or memorial service or services may be held in the Bostick-Tompkins Funeral Home Chapel
The Funeral Director will assist you in determining the number of copies of the death certificates that you will need and will complete the request form for you.
A Bostick-Tompkins Director will assist the family with writing the obituary to be and will submit it to the newspaper.
Arrange for family members and/or close friends to take turns answering the door or phone at the home of the decedent, sometimes this can be an overwhelming time for family members.
If Social Security checks are deposited automatically, notify the bank of the death.
Notify insurance companies of the death. (Bostick-Tompkins Directors will usually notify the insurance company as well.)
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Locate the Will, if applicable, and notify the lawyer and executor.
Carefully check all life and casualty insurance and death benefits, including Social Security, credit union, trade union, fraternal, and military. Check on possible income for survivors from these sources.
Check promptly on all debts and installment payments, including credit cards. Some may carry insurance clauses that will cancel them. If there is to be a delay in meeting payments, consult with creditors and ask for more time before the payments are due.
If the deceased was living alone, notify the utility companies and landlord and tell the post office where to send the mail.