If you are not sure of who to notify or what to do, you should call Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home at 870-367-2451 any time and we will assist you in notifying the proper agencies and planning your loved one's memorial service. We will be by your side throughout the entire process and far beyond.
We pride ourselves on offering unrivaled continuity of care, from advance planning, to at-need arrangements, to bereavement counseling ... we provide all options to assure the most personalized service possible.
Our services can start long before a funeral is needed and they extend well beyond the funeral itself.
There are several questions that you may have in regards to the death of your loved one, such as, "do I have to have embalming?", "do I need to purchase a casket?", "what about cemetery arrangements?", "does the family have a minister?", "do we want cremation, visitation, ...?" Our experienced funeral directors will be able to help answer all your questions.
There are a variety of questions that you will be asked to answer as well. The answers to these questions will be used to complete all of the required documents, forms and permits. Information about the deceased, such as full legal name, date of birth, place of birth, social security number, usual occupation, legal address, years of education, father's name, and mother's maiden name will be needed.
At this time information for the obituary is usually obtained. Items such as date and place of marriage, how long the person had lived in the area, educational degrees, their employment history, member of any clubs or organizations, hobbies and survivors are needed on an obituary.
The funeral director will discuss your preferences for the funeral time and location and who you would like to have officiate at the service, musical selections, organist, vocalist, pallbearers and the cemetery you will be using for interment.
One of the best ways to make sure that all of your questions and desires are taken care of is to make pre-arrangements. This is as simple as outlining your wishes to having all of the details written down and the financial arrangements prepaid. Please contact one of our staff to learn more or visit our page Pre-Planning.
This FREE check list contains 125 actions that must be taken immediately following death. Fill out the form below to download the checklist and receive assistance from one of our trusted funeral directors.
The following list will help you remember what information and items you should consider bringing when first meeting with a funeral director.
- Full legal name (including the maiden name)
- Home address
- Social Security number
- Date and Place of birth
- Father's name and Mother's name (including her maiden name)
- Occupation (during working lifetime)
- Highest education completed
- Cemetery information (if applicable)
Our staff members are experienced professionals who can provide much of the information you need, emotional support and compassionate guidance.
- Veteran's discharge papers (DD-214) or other proof of military service
- Insurance Policies if you are planning to assign proceeds to cover the balance or so we can help you file on your behalf
- Appropriate clothing, including undergarments, glasses and/or jewelry items
- Clergy name and phone number
- Appropriate photograph, with list of survivors
- Names of Pallbearers or Honorary Pallbearers (if desired)
When a death occurs at home or in the workplace, a family member or co-worker should contact emergency personnel and the person's physician if he or she was under a doctor's care. If the death occurs at home with family or friends present, and the person is under a physician's care, the family will want to call us directly.
However, if the death occurs in a residence and no one is there at the time of death, the police will need to be notified and respond to the residence before the deceased is removed from their home.
If in any case you are not sure of who to notify or what to do, you may call 870-367-2451, and we'll assist you in notifying the proper agencies.
When a death occurs in a care facility, such as a hospital or nursing home, the professional staff will notify you and the necessary authorities. If the name of the funeral home has been left with them, the institution will notify the funeral home at the time of the death. The funeral director will contact you immediately following their notification to help you proceed. (However, we suggest you contact the funeral home immediately, so you've got the reassurance you need that all is taken care of properly.)
If a loved one was in the care of a hospice program, a hospice representative will give family members instructions and procedures to follow. The coroner/medical examiner will be notified by hospice. Following their release the hospice will contact the funeral home. It is always a good idea for the family to contact us immediately so that we will be aware of the pending call from hospice.
If there is no pre-plan in place, there are several other questions that you may have to have answered in regards to the death of your loved one
- Do I have to have embalming?
- Do I need to purchase a casket?
- What about cemetery arrangements?
- Does the family have to engage the services of a minister?
- What type of service should we have?
By contacting our staff, we'll be able to help answer your questions and assist in making the appropriate plans. You can reach us at 870-367-2451.
However, as we’ve said before, one of the best ways to make sure that all of your questions and desires are taken care of is to make pre-arrangements. This is as simple as outlining your wishes to having all of the details written down and the financial arrangements prepaid. You can start pre-planning now or contact one of our staff at 870-367-2451 to learn more about pre-arrangement.
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