When Death Occurs

What To Do When Death Occurs

Immediately following the death of a loved one, there are many decisions that must be made. At this time, you may find your emotions are heightened, and for that reason it is a good idea to understand the process while making all decisions and arrangements. Having this knowledge will ensure you are making wise decisions that focus on quality of care at sensible pricing. Our family and staff are able to assist you in answering any questions you may have. The below information can help guide you and your family through the process.

Contact the Proper Authorities

If your loved one passes under medical care like a hospital, hospice center, or in a nursing home, the staff will handle getting the declaration of death. Let the proper medical staff know you would like Solosy Funeral Home to care for your loved one. If your loved one died in a hospital, please call us at 313-383-1870 to report the passing.


If your loved one dies at home or any location not under direct medical care, you need to immediately contact the local emergency officials or hospice nurse. The proper officials will come to the location and the death will legally be declared. Let the police and/or hospice care nurse know that you would like Solosy Funeral Home to care for your loved one. Often the Medical Examiner is contacted for this type of death. If this is the case, the Medical Examiner will elect to release your loved one into your care or they will organize transportation of the remains to their facility for further investigation. At this time the police or family member can proceed with contacting us at 313-383-1870 to report the passing.

Begin to Make Arrangements

Once your loved one has been declared dead you and your family can proceed with making any type of funeral arrangements. Your loved one may have pre-planned any type of services, and you and your family should first look into those choices. If your loved one has not made any previous type of arrangements, and you will set up a meeting with the funeral director and begin discussing options.


During this time, if the deceased hasn’t made their final wishes known, the family will need to decide if they will bury or cremate the body, and what type of service should be held. These decisions include the time, date and location of any service; what type of casket or urn your loved one needs; drafting an online memorial/obituary notice; and make any decisions about the specifics of the service like who the celebrant or minister will be, what music will be played and who will speak.

Information Funeral Directors 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
  • Current Legal 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

Documents Funeral Directors May Need

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


  • Preneed account statements (if an outside account is being used)
  • Life insurance policies & Beneficiary designations
  • Military discharge papers (form DD 214)
  • Social Security number or card
  • Identification and/or photo

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.