Where to Start
Funeral planning can be a very difficult process for families who have just lost a loved one. Whether the death is sudden or expected, the loss of a loved one is indescribable and often makes the next steps overwhelming for a family. During this difficult time, there are decisions to be made, arrangements to be coordinated, and a lot of details to be covered for your loved one’s final farewell. Our staff is here to support you and help guide you through your grief journey while honoring your loved one. To help you get started, below is some helpful information.
When A Loved One Passes
Home
When a loved one passes away at home or somewhere that isn’t a healthcare facility, you’ll need to contact emergency personnel before they can be brought into our care. The police and coroner will take care of picking your loved one up and determine whether further investigation is necessary. The coroner must release the body before Hamre’s Funeral Chapel can bring them into our care. Please know that even though we can’t pick your loved one up from the hospital, we are still able to assist families with the initial planning of services and can sometimes answer any question or concerns you might have regarding the process with the coroner.
Hospital/Nursing Home
If your loved one passes in the hospital or nursing home, they will ask you which funeral home you would like to assist you. In the case of a care home, Hamre’s staff will bring your loved one directly into their care at the funeral home. It is important to know that the Fort St. John General Hospital will not reach out to the funeral home but rather wait for family to connect when they are ready to start the arrangement process. Your funeral director will help you obtain the government death certificate, cancel any Canadian Pensions the deceased might be receiving and assist with application for any benefits that might apply.
Meeting with a Funeral Director
The goal of the funeral director is to provide as much information as we can to allow you to make the best choices for your family. No two people are the same, therefore each arrangement is as unique as the families we meet with. Our staff are here to guide you through the arrangement process using your wants, needs and desires as a foundation to create a memorable funeral for your loved one.
If you haven’t already, you should review your loved one’s preplanned funeral wishes as well as a will if one is in place. If your loved one didn’t preplan any funeral wishes, you can start by considering some of the larger choices you need to make, such as:
- Full Name and Address
- Marital Status
- Race/Ethnicity
- Date and City of Birth
- Highest Level of Education
- Father’s Name, Mother’s Name (including maiden name)
- Name of Spouse (if married or widowed)
- Occupation and Employer
The funeral director will also need pertinent documents required to do all the legal paperwork, which may include:
- Burial or Cremation
- Type of Casket or Urn
- Location for final resting place
- Service types, such as viewing, service, graveside etc.
- Any religious services, such a clergy or spiritual leaders
This is just a starting point, so don’t feel like you need to know all the answers right now. We want to make this process as easy and meaningful as possible, so please contact us with any questions or for more information about your funeral service options.
Additional information required in the arrangement process:
- Deceased’s Full Legal Name and Address
- Social Insurance Number
- Health Care Number
- Date of Birth
- Place of Birth
- Marital Status (Spouse’s Name if applicable)
- Occupation
- Father & Mother’s Name and Place of Birth
- Copy of Birth Certificate
- Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
- Last Will (if applicable)
- Passport, Driver’s License, Service Card
- Photograph
Through this process the funeral service can be personalized. Did your loved one have a favourite sports team? What was their favourite music? Sharing these memories assists with the grieving process and will help honour the life of your loved one. We hope you will turn to us for compassionate care and impeccable service. Our pledge is to honour your loved one and family with dignity, respect, and personal attention to every detail.
