General Info

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)

• 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.)
• 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.