Being at funeral homes Skokie, IL, after the passing away of a loved one accompanies inexplicable grief and anxiety. It becomes worse as there’re important tasks to be handled especially if you’re immediate kin of the deceased and put in charge of arranging the funeral services.

Here is a list of tasks you need to overview to ensure everything goes smoothly:

1. Death Certificate

Soon after the confirmation of death, contact the Vital Statistics office and follow the mandatory procedure to apply for the death certificate. You’ll need several copies of the deceased’s death certificate to carry out important tasks such as insurance or life benefits claims, closing bank accounts, and so on.

2. Contact a Funeral Home

If the deceased has no will, you’ll need to narrow down a funeral home that offers all the services you want. Get recommendations from friends and family members or check online reviews to get in touch with a reputable funeral director who will help you throughout the funeral process.

Seek his or her guidance on important decisions including:

• Transportation (from the place of death to funeral home)
• Date and time of the funeral and memorial service
• Wake or Viewing service
• Burial plot
• Headstone
• Associated services like catering, flowers, music, and so on
• Filling out the necessary paperwork
• Insurance claims

3. Notifying Friends and Family

Once the funeral date is confirmed, you need to inform the guest list about the loss and funeral details. Start by writing an obituary and then, make phone calls to make sure everyone gets your message.

4. Settle the Financial Affairs

Consult with a lawyer or an attorney to close down the financial affairs of the deceased. Use the loved one’s social security number to close bank accounts, terminate credit cards, etc.

Additionally, you’d need their bank statements, deeds, brokerage statements, stock certificates, bearer bonds, and prenuptial agreement to assist in settling a real estate and other financial dealings. It seems an uphill task for a grieving person. Don’t hesitate to seek the funeral director’s help.

5. Contact DMV

You might have to contact DMV to make any cancellations such as clearing the deceased’s driving record. If they were affiliated with any organization or club, cancel their membership.

Similarly, cancel social media accounts and any website subscriptions. In most cases, you’d need the loved one’s death certificate and other necessary information to complete the task.

6. Take Care of Yourself

Don’t be too hard on yourself after the loss. These things can wait a few days and you should give yourself enough time to process the loss and come back to normalcy. Your family needs you more than ever and it’s crucial to provide them emotional support and care.

Take the time to grieve and relax where you can. Never compromise your physical health as it can also take a toll on your mental health.

The first few days after the loss are most challenging. Rest assured, your funeral director will walk you through the complete process and even help you find peace and comfort – as they are trained to do so at the best funeral homes Skokie, IL.