When Death Occurs


The feelings of despair, disbelief, shock, and numbness that follow the loss of a loved one are often too overwhelming for words. Even when a death is expected, the sorrow that comes with saying goodbye can be deeply painful. The reality is, no one is ever truly prepared for the loss of someone dear to their heart.


In the midst of grief, there are immediate decisions to make, arrangements to plan, and many details to consider for your loved one’s final tribute. We understand how heavy this burden can feel during such an emotional time. Here at Fraker Funeral Home, we are committed to eliminating that stress by handling every detail with professionalism, care, and attention, allowing you to focus on what matters most—being with your family and honoring your loved one. As a family-owned and operated funeral home, we are able to provide a personal touch that brings comfort and peace of mind during this difficult time. Please know that you do not have to walk through this alone. We are here to offer guidance, compassion, and support every step of the way.


On this page, you will find helpful information designed to guide you through this process and provide comfort along the way.


NOTIFY PROPER AUTHORITIES

If your loved one passes away while under the care of a facility — such as a nursing home or a hospital — staff from the facility will contact you and notify appropriate authorities themselves.

If the death occurred in the workplace or at home, you will need to get in touch with his/her physician or emergency medical personnel, as the cause of death must be identified and indicated in legal documents.

In the event that no one was present at the time of death, you will need to contact the police before moving the deceased to another location.


CALL THE FUNERAL HOME

Our caring funeral director can assist you with your funeral arrangements. We will collect information from you in order to facilitate the transfer of your loved one’s remains to our facility. You would also be asked if the deceased has made pre-arrangements and whether or not you’d like for him/her to be embalmed. While of course you can ask any questions you have in your mind during this call, note that once you visit the funeral home, we can discuss the arrangements in greater detail.

During this call, you’ll also be informed about the things that you need to bring with you like the clothes your deceased loved one will use for the burial. Feel free to call us whenever you feel the need to. Remember that we are here to listen to you, help you, and guide you during this difficult and trying time.


MEET THE FUNERAL DIRECTOR/STAFF

On your first meeting with us, we will discuss the arrangements for your loved one’s burial. You will be shown a list of our packages/services so you can decide what suits your family’s preferences and budget. You will be asked whether you’d prefer burial or cremation arrangements and optionally you would select a casket, schedule a time and date for the services, decide on the location of the burial, draft an obituary notice, arrange for vehicle services, and select pallbearers.

We would also use this opportunity to inquire about your loved one for us to have a better understanding of the person the services will honor. It will be extremely helpful if you can bring some memorabilia — photos, videos, treasured items, letters — that would give us a clearer picture on how you envision paying tribute to your loved one.


FILE FOR A DEATH CERTIFICATE

A death certificate is a legal document indicating the cause of death, including other vital statistics pertaining to the deceased, signed by the attending physician. In case your loved one died due to an accident, a coroner or the county medical examiner may prepare the form. We take care of this for you. Certified copies of the death certificate can also be purchased for a fee of $15.00 each. Veterans receive 3 free certified death certificates in the state of Tennessee.  These certified copies are important when gaining access to bank accounts and safety deposit boxes, claiming for benefits due to the family (like the Veteran’s benefits or insurance claims), and transferring or selling ownership of properties.

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In this section

Local Resources

When Death Occurs

Frequent Questions

Funeral Etiquette

Grief Support

Talking to Children

Social Security Benefits

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