The
first step is to call and inform us of the death. One of our licensed
professionals will consult with you on your wishes for arrangements.
At that time we will arrange for transfer from place of death to
our facility. We will take care of completing and filing of all
certificates, permits, and authorizations. We will also obtain certified
copies of the death certificate, which you may need. We will transfer
your loved one to the crematory for the cremation. Massachusetts
law requires a 48-hour waiting period after death before the cremation
process can occur, unless otherwise approved by the Medical Examiner.
Cremation
is not always the end of the process. We will arrange for a memorial
service, an earth burial, scattering of the cremated remains, placing
an urn in a niche at a cemetery, or personal delivery to your residence.
At
Home with Hospice
When
a death occurs at home and a hospice nurse has been taking care
of a family member, they should be called and informed of the death.
The hospice nurse will come to your residence to formally pronounce
the time of death. After the hospice nurse is called you may contact
the cremation service twenty-four hours a day. At that time our
licensed staff member will consult with you and your family regarding
arrangements and provide transfer of your loved one to our facility.
Final Arrangements can be made at your convenience.
At
Home without Hospice
When
an unexpected death occurs at home the first thing to do is to call
your local emergency department, ambulance, and the police. The
ambulance and police department will contact the Medical Examiner's
Office. The Medical Examiners office has to be notified of all unexpected
deaths. The Medical Examiner may transfer the body to their facility
depending on manner of death, or age for investigating the cause
of death.
If
the Medical Examiner declines to investigate we may transfer a loved
one for a service.
If the Medical Examiner does transfer the body to their facility
we can arrange for the transfer and release from their facility.
