when death occurs

When a Death Occurs

If you are in need of immediate assistance, please call (606) 754-4132. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Contact the Proper Authorities

Before any funeral arrangements or decisions can take place, a legal declaration of death must be made. If your loved one passes away in a medical or nursing facility, such as a hospital or nursing home, the staff will take care of this step. Once the facility releases your loved one, they will contact the funeral home. You are also welcome to reach out to us beforehand so we can begin supporting you in any way you need.


If your loved one passes at home and is not under hospice care, contact local emergency services immediately. They will notify the coroner’s office, who will make the official declaration. For those under hospice care, the hospice staff is authorized to make the pronouncement.


In short, a legal declaration of death is required before the funeral home can transport your loved one. Once that is completed, the family can move forward with funeral arrangements and any related legal matters.

Getting Started with Funeral Arrangements

As soon as you feel ready, reach out to the funeral home. At Bailey Funeral Home, we begin offering support and guidance immediately, helping you navigate each step and easing the burden during this difficult time.


If your loved one had pre-planned services, we will review those choices with you and help honor their wishes. If no arrangements were previously made, we will walk you through the options together, answering questions and helping you make decisions at a pace that feels right for your family.


Some of the decisions to consider may include whether to choose burial or cremation, the type of service, and details such as the time, date, and location. You will also decide on items like caskets or urns, obituary notices, pallbearers, music, speakers, and who will officiate the service.


If your loved one was active or retired military, we will also help you contact the Veterans Administration to explore any death benefits or service options available.


At every step, our goal is to provide guidance, support, and care so that your family can focus on remembering and honoring your loved one.

Information the Funeral Home May Need

Once you have met the funeral director, they will advise you on any information or paperwork they need for the death certificate or to proceed with making final arrangements.


Information Required:

  • Full name and address
  • Marital status
  • Race/Ethnicity
  • Date and city of birth
  • Highest level of education
  • Father’s name, mother’s maiden name
  • Name of spouse
  • Occupation and employer
  • Picture or poem that you want on the service folder (preferably digital), and the decedents clothes you want them to be buried in, jewelry (any accessories) you want them to have on

Documents Funereal Directors May Need

Funeral directors will need important documents to complete any legal paperwork. These documents include:

  • DPOA
  • Beneficiary designations
  • Life insurance policies
  • Military Discharge papers (form DD 214)
  • Social Security Number

Taking Care of Personal Property

Following the death of your loved one, there are few things you need to attend to involving the deceased’s personal life. First, secure your loved one’s property. Make sure their home and vehicle are properly secure.


If your loved one has a pet, make the necessary arrangements for the pet to be taken care of by family or friends. Any mail that comes to your loved one should be forwarded to a family member that plans to handle the deceased’s estate. Any mail that piles up at a vacant home only alarms potential intruders that a home is empty.


Make sure to contact the deceased’s boss and inform them of the death. If your loved one had any upcoming appointments, make contact to notify them about the death and to cancel the appointment.