I have experienced a death. What do I do?

I have experienced a death. What do I do?

  When one has experienced a death in the St Louis area and surrounding counties there are a few things that need to happen depending on the circumstances of the passing. There are a few things that need to be done before you call your local St Louis funeral director.

There are four manners of death; natural, accidental, suicide, or homicide. There are a few exceptions such as legal homicide, accidental homicide etc. a licensed physician can only certify a death that occurs from natural causes. Any other such deaths must be certified by the medical examiner or county coroner.

If a death occurs in a nursing facility and the person is under hospice the nursing home will contact the hospice company as well as the family if they are not present. It is always a good idea to let the nursing home and hospice facility know what St Louis cremation service or St Louis funeral home to call ahead of time incase family can’t be contacted right away. The nurse at the nursing home will pronounce the person deceased. The hospice nurse will then complete all the necessary paperwork, get rid of any medications that may be controlled substances. They will also get a medical examiner number from that county.

If the death occurs at home and the person is under hospice care call your St Louis funeral or cremation service as well as the hospice company. The hospice company will send a licensed R.N. to pronounce the persons death and establish a time of death and discard any medicines that me considered a controlled substance.

If death occurs at a nursing home and the loved one is not under hospice care call the funeral home or cremation service so that your loved one can be retrieved right away. It is always a good idea to let the nursing home know what cremation service or funeral home to call upon passing.

If death happens at home and the person is not under hospice care, the first thing you need to do is call 911. They will the fire department as well as the paramedics will come in many cases to your home and try to revive your loved one. If they are unable to revive your loved one the paramedics will use an ekg machine to establish no heartbeat or pulse. After the person is pronounced dead then the funeral home can be called. Your St Louis area funeral director will then guide you through the rest of the steps.

When a loved one has passed away from the funeral home you simply let the hospital know what St Louis cremation service or St Louis funeral home you have selected. Please never rely on the hospital to call the funeral home or cremation service. When you get a chance call the funeral or cremation service to retrieve your loved one and set up an appointment for cremation or funeral arrangements.

If for any reason you come across a death other than natural, please call 911 immediately. This death will have to be handled by that county’s medical examiner or coroner. If you need to check on a loved one at one of the local medical examiners offices Here is a short list:

St Louis City Medical Examiner

St Louis County Medical Examiner

St. Charles, Jefferson, and Franklin County Medical Examiner

If we can be of any assistance Bi-State Cremation & Funeral Service a St Louis cremation service as well as funeral provider will be more than happen to assist you. We are at your disposal twenty-four hours a day. Our phone number is 314-831-8868. We can also be reached on our contact page.

                                                                                                 Hope this information was helpful,

                                                                    Larry T. Byndon

                                                               Licensed funeral director MO & IL