If someone you love has just died, your head is probably spinning. Your life will never be the same, but there are some very practical things you need to handle. Here are the top four things the team at Sunset View Cemetery believe you need to do after losing someone close to you.

 

1.) Report the death.

If your loved one dies in an El Cerrito nursing home, hospital, or hospice care facility, the facility’s staff will assist you. If your loved one dies at home and is under hospice care, you will need to call their hospice provider. A representative from the facility can report the death for you. Call 911 if your loved one dies at home and is not under hospice care.

 

2.) Notify others.

Take care to tell the people in your inner circle first. It is best practice to refrain from sharing any news on social media until you are sure all family and close friends have been notified. Be sure to call your loved one’s employer and make arrangements immediately for the care of any children or pets left behind.

 

You may want to enlist the help of other family members and friends to help with notifications, especially if you are the primary person responsible for making the funeral arrangements.

 

3.) Plan the funeral.

There are a number of considerations for you to make when planning a funeral. Unless your loved one chose to preplan, you’ll need to decide between traditional burial and cremation, as well as their final disposition, and all the other details related to their service.

 

At Sunset View, we will work closely with you to design a service that will capture your friend or family member’s personality and bring you healing. Think about the ways you want to infuse the service or visitation with your loved one’s personality. Fortunately, our staff is not only experienced with managing all of these details, they also know firsthand what a difficult process this is for you. Their care and concern will help making these decisions as easy as they can be.

 

4.) Begin down a road towards healing.

Grief is a long journey, and for some, it never ends. In the midst of managing the practical details that must be attended to after a loved one’s death, don’t neglect to take the time you need to practice self-care. As much as possible, try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep at night. Drink plenty of water, eat healthy foods, and try to fit in a bit of exercise each day – even if it’s simply taking a walk around the block. Spend time with people who lovingly support you, and don’t be afraid to reach out for help.

 

Above all, know that when you plan with Sunset View, you are never alone. And our commitment to help you and your family continues long after the funeral service is over.