When A Death Occurs

When a death occurs, the order in which things need to be done often depends on where the death occurred. But, one thing should always be remembered: your heightened emotional state upon the death of a loved one. That's why we suggest that you ask a friend for help - someone who is more able to think clearly, and give you the support you need.

At Home or at Work

At Home or at Work

If the death occurs at home with family or friends present, and the person is under a physician's care, the family will want to call Stone Funeral Home directly and if needed we will contact other authorities.

However, if the death occurs in a residence and no one is there at the time of death, the police will need to be notified and respond to the residence before the deceased is removed from their home.

If in any case you are not sure of who to notify or what to do, you may call Stone Funeral Home at (618) 932-2161, and we'll assist you in notifying the proper agencies.

While Under Supervised Care

While Under Supervised Care

When a death occurs in a care facility, such as a hospital or nursing home, their staff will notify you and the necessary authorities. You need to MAKE SURE and provide the care facility your choice of Stone Funeral Home to be called and the institution will notify the funeral home at the time of the death.       Stone Funeral Home staff will contact you soon following their notification. Make sure you provide the care facilitys staff YOUR NAME (as the one in charge) and a HOME and/or CELL phone number for us to contact you. (However, we suggest you contact the funeral home immediately, so you've got the reassurance you need that all is taken care of properly.)

If a loved one was in the care of a hospice program, a hospice representative will give family members instructions and procedures to follow. The coroner/medical examiner will be notified by hospice. Following their release the hospice will contact Stone Funeral Home. It is always a good idea for the family to contact us immediately so that we will be aware of the pending call from hospice.

Widening the Circle

Contact with Stone Funeral Home after the Death has OCCURRED 

Our staff members are experienced professionals who can provide you comfort and answer your many questions that you will have.

While you may ask our staff any questions at this time, you will be able to discuss many of your questions in detail later when you meet in person. 

During this initial call, our staff will gather some basic information and assure you that your loved one is in our special care.

Our staff will also schedule a date and time for you to meet at the funeral home and will let you know what you should bring with you. 

Others you will need to call are:

- Other Family members and friends

- Clergy or other spiritual advisors

Those Important Questions

Those Important Questions

If there is no pre-plan in place, there are MANY DECISIONS that will have to be made in the next few days in regards to the death of your loved one. Below are just a few of the many. That is why pre-planning is a IMPORTANT thing to do. CALL US TODAY TO BEGIN.

  • Biographical information will have to be gathered and a "Life Story" will be created.
  • Decisions about services will need to be made.
  • Consideration about family travel plans will need to be thought about.
  • Merchandise will need to be selected.
  • Clothing (both outer and undergarments}, and possibly jewelry to be worn will need to be decided on and gathered. A photo also needs to be brought into the funeral home for use on the record of memory and for the newspaper. 
  • Will special photo, awards, life hobby items be brought into the funeral home for display during the visitation and funeral?
  • Will family members, close friends or others be speaking during the service? Comments of memory, reading of special poems and special scriptures by family or friends will help make the service much more personable.
  • Cemetery decisions will need to be made.

These are just a small sampling of the many decisions that will need to be made.

By contacting our staff, we'll be able to help answer your questions and assist in making the appropriate plans. Call us today at (618) 932-2161.

However, as we’ve said before, one of the best ways to make sure that all of your questions and desires are taken care of is to make pre-arrangements. This is as simple as outlining your wishes to having all of the details written down and the financial arrangements prepaid.

Please contact one of our staff at (618) 932-2161 to learn more about pre-arrangement.

What to Expect When You Arrive at the Funeral Home

What to Expect When You Arrive at the Funeral Home

Our staff will guide you through the entire arrangement process, explaining how you can create a memorable personal celebration of your loved one's life. This is not a one-way conversation; we want to hear your ideas and desires, and use them as the foundation for the arrangement process.

This process may include:

- Gathering of biographical information

- Selecting personal merchandise choices 

- Choosing the location, date and time of services 

- Name of clergy and/or others participating along with their phone numbers

- Special music for the service (Names of selections and are they to be presented live or recorded)

- Selecting the 6 pallbearers / this is a special honor to be asked

- Veteran's discharge papers will be needed (The number DD-214 is on the bottom left of the discharge)

- Clothing will be needed (both outer and underclothing, socks and if desired shoes)

- Reviewing Life Insurance information and contacting for you the Life Insurance Company

We’d like you to bring any photos, a favorite song, or memorabilia so that you and your funeral arranger can better discuss how you would like your loved one to be remembered. Having these things, and knowing their favorite song or favorite gathering place – even their favorite activity – will help us create a truly fitting memorial service.

Our staff will assist you in planning a loving tribute that captures the spirit of the person whose life you wish to honor. To learn more about personalizing the service, please read the Honoring Life section of this Web site. The funeral arranger will discuss personalization with you during your arrangement conference.

The following is a partial checklist of information needed about the decedent and items needed when you meet with our staff.

- Full legal name

- Home address

- Social Security number

- Date of birth

- Place of birth

- Father's name

- Mother's maiden name

- Recent Photograph

- Highest level of completed education

- Occupation

- Place of burial 

- Survivors (name and relationship and city of residence)