The first
step is to call and inform us of the death. One of our licensed
professionals will consult with you on your wishes for arrangements.
At that time we will arrange for transfer from place of death
to our facility. We will take care of completing and filing of
all certificates, permits, and authorizations. We will also obtain
certified copies of the death certificate, which you may need.
We will transfer your loved one to the crematory for the cremation.
Massachusetts law requires a 48-hour waiting period after death
before the cremation process can occur, unless otherwise approved
by the Medical Examiner.
Cremation
is not always the end of the process. We will arrange for a memorial
service, an earth burial, scattering of the cremated remains,
placing an urn in a niche at a cemetery, or personal delivery
to your residence.
At
Home with Hospice
When a
death occurs at home and a hospice nurse has been taking care
of a family member, they should be called and informed of the
death. The hospice nurse will come to your residence to formally
pronounce the time of death. After the hospice nurse is called
you may contact the cremation service twenty-four hours a day.
At that time our licensed staff member will consult with you and
your family regarding arrangements and provide transfer of your
loved one to our facility. Final Arrangements can be made at your
convenience.
At
Home without Hospice
When
an unexpected death occurs at home the first thing to do is to
call your local emergency department, ambulance, and the police.
The ambulance and police department will contact the Medical Examiner's
Office. The Medical Examiners office has to be notified of all
unexpected deaths. The Medical Examiner may transfer the body
to their facility depending on manner of death, or age for investigating
the cause of death.
If the
Medical Examiner declines to investigate we may transfer a loved
one for a service.
If the Medical Examiner does transfer the body to their facility
we can arrange for the transfer and release from their facility.
