When Death Occurs

When a death occurs in your family, you will be faced with important tasks and decisions during a very difficult time. Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home is available to assist you and your family 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

We know it is vital for you to feel comfortable and to have full confidence in the funeral home you entrust to provide final arrangements for your loved one. We are dedicated and honored to serve you and your family with commitment and excellence.

The following information will serve as a preparation guide. As your funeral home of choice we will walk beside you and guide you in each step of the process.

FIRST CALL

When death occurs

-in a hospital, nursing home, or similar facility: someone from the facility will make the initial call to the funeral home.

-at home under Hospice care: the Hospice provider is usually authorized to call the funeral home and give permission to pick up the deceased.

-unexpectedly: call 911.

ARRANGEMENT CONFERENCE

After the appropriate person has notified the funeral home of the death you will need to schedule a time with the funeral director for an arrangement conference. If your loved one has a prearranged funeral, the funeral director will go over his or her arrangements with you. If your loved one does not have a prearranged funeral, the funeral director will assist you in making decisions about every aspect of the service?making sure your/your loved one?s wishes are met. The funeral director will contact the cemetery or crematory to make necessary arrangements.

Please bring the following information about the deceased to the arrangement conference:

• Full legal name
  
• Address and telephone number
  
• Date of birth
  
• Place of birth: city, county, and state
  
• Race
  
• Level of education
  
• Marital status
  
• If married, first, middle, and maiden (if female) name of spouse
  
• Employment - where employed (even if retired) and job title
  
• Parents - first and middle names and maiden name of mother
  
• Minister - name and telephone number
  
• Social Security Number: Please bring the deceased?s Social Security Card to the arrangement conference. The funeral home will file a Statement of Death (SSA-721) with Social Security. The next of kin will need to contact Social Security at 866-331-9091 within a week after death has occurred.
  
• Veterans Information: At the time of death, honorably discharged veterans are usually eligible for benefits, such as an American Flag, veteran marker for the grave, and the right to be buried in a military cemetery. We will need a copy of the Honorable Discharge (DD214) to apply for the benefits

Clothing: You may bring clothing or purchase from our selection. Underclothes are required. Socks or slippers are traditionally used; however, shoes are not required but will be used if desired.

Hairdresser: Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home will provide hairdressing service or the family may provide a hairdresser. If you use Quinn-McGowen for hairdressing, please bring a photo to assist with the styling.

Jewelry and Eyeglasses: If you wish to use jewelry or glasses for the viewing, bring them to the funeral home. Please tell the funeral director if those items are to be returned to the family--specifically to whom. Glasses may be donated to the Eye Bank if you so desire.

Death Certificates: Certified copies of Death Certificates are needed for life insurance policies, probate court (if estate is probated), and may be needed for bank accounts and stock accounts, for example. The current charge for a certified copy in North Carolina is $10.00. Certified Death Certificates are usually available for the family within a couple of weeks.

Insurance Policies: As part of our service to the family, we will process your insurance claims. Please bring the original policy or policies with you to the arrangement conference. We will also need the name, address, and social security number of the beneficiary.

Obituaries: We will gather information for the obituary and type it for your approval before submitting to the newspaper.

Donations: You may request that memorials be made to a specific charity, church, hospital, etc

Honorarium: It is customary for the family to pay the minister and musicians for assisting in their loved one?s services. The amount may be based on the relationship with that person. The same would apply for a singer or an organist. If you choose to use our organist, we will add our charge to your purchase agreement.

Cemetery: The charge to open and close the grave is usually paid directly to the cemetery depending on the cemetery policy. If you have cemetery lot information, please bring it with you to the arrangement conference.

Personalization: You may bring photos or other personal items to honor the memory of your loved one. We will assist you in displaying these items for the visitation. We also offer video tributes and a magnetic photo memory board.

Flowers: Flowers may be ordered by the family directly from the florist of choice after the arrangements are finalized.

Payment Options: We accept cash, check, Visa and MasterCard and insurance assignment.