Where to Begin

What To Do When a Death Occurs

Immediately following the death of a loved one, there are many decisions that must be made. At this time, you may find your emotions are heightened, and for that reason it is a good idea to ask for help in making decisions and arrangements. Additionally, our staff is honored to assist you in making the best decisions possible. This information can help guide you and your family through the process.

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Contact The Proper Authorities

Before any arrangements and decisions can be made, a legal pronouncement of death must be declared.

  • If your loved one dies inside of a medical or nursing facility (ie. hospital, nursing home, hospice house), the staff will handle this process.
  • If your loved one dies at home (not under hospice care), immediately contact (911) so local emergency officials can come and pronounce the death.
  • If a family member passes under hospice care, family will first call hospice, so a nurse can come out to the home to pronounce the death. This legal declaration must be made before the family can proceed with making any funeral arrangements or handling any legal affairs.

Begin To Make Arrangements

Once your loved one has been declared dead, you and your family can proceed with making funeral arrangements.

Contact us 24/7 at the following phone numbers:

  • Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel in Hastings at 651-437-9419.
  • Starkson Family Anderson Chapel in Apple Valley at 651-432-2331.

Our dedicated staff will make arrangements to bring your loved one into our care and will set a time for you and your family to come to the funeral home to begin making arrangements.


Your loved one may have preplanned their services or shared their final wishes with you, in which case much of the work is done.  If the deceased hasn’t made their final wishes known, you and your family will need to decide if the body will be buried or cremated, and what type of service should be held. These decisions include:

  • the time, date and location of any service
  • what type of casket or urn your loved one needs
  • drafting an obituary notice
  • deciding on pallbearers
  • making any decisions about the specifics of the service (minister needs, music preferences, who will speak, etc.)


As part of the process to begin making the funeral arrangements, if the deceased was active or retired military, locate his/her military discharge paperwork or record of separation (DD214) and bring this to the funeral arrangement.  The funeral director will assist with military benefits, including burial flag, arranging military honors, national cemetery scheduling and ordering the VA marker.

Information Funeral Directors May Need

Once you have met the funeral director, they will advise you on any information or paperwork they need for the death certificate or to proceed with making final arrangements.

Information Required:

  • Full name and address
  • Marital status
  • Race/Ethnicity
  • Date and city of birth
  • Highest level of education
  • Father’s full name and mother’s full maiden name
  • Name of spouse
  • Occupation and industry

Other Documents that May Be Helpful

Funeral directors will need important documents to complete any legal paperwork. These documents include:

  • Life insurance policies and beneficiary designations
  • Military discharge papers (form DD 214)
  • Social Security Card
  • Birth Certificate (to assist with place of birth and/or parents' names)

Taking Care Of Personal Property

Following the death of your loved one, there are few things you need to attend to involving the deceased’s personal life. First, secure your loved one’s property. Make sure their home and vehicle are properly secure. If your loved one has a pet, make the necessary arrangements for the pet to be taken care of by family or friends. Any mail that comes to your loved one should be forwarded to a family member or friend handling the deceased’s estate. Any mail that piles up at a vacant home only alerts potential intruders that a home is empty. Make sure to contact the deceased’s employer and inform them of the death. If your loved one had any upcoming appointments, notify them about the death and cancel the appointment.