When a Death Occurs

Supportive funeral service scene representing guidance after the death of a loved one

Losing a Loved One 

When faced with a death, knowing what steps to take can ease some of the uncertainty in a difficult time. Whether the passing occurs at home, in a care facility, or away from home, understanding the immediate actions to be taken is crucial. From contacting local authorities or emergency services to coordinating with a preferred funeral home, having a plan in place can help navigate the initial stages of bereavement with greater clarity and peace of mind.

Supportive funeral service scene representing guidance after the death of a loved one
Peaceful memorial setting symbolizing grief support and funeral planning

When a Death Occurs at Home

In the event of an unexpected death at home, the first step is to contact local authorities or emergency services. Ensure they are informed about any advanced directives or DNR orders. Medical professionals will confirm the passing and involve the coroner or medical examiner for official declaration. 

If end-of-life care services were utilized, reaching out to the agency can streamline the process. It's advisable to contact a preferred funeral home for transportation arrangements. Until responders arrive, refrain from moving the deceased or altering the home.

When a Death Occurs at a Hospital or Care Facility

When someone dies in a hospital or other facility, the caregivers and staff will help coordinate the discharge process. You may need to clarify whether the facility will be notifying your funeral home of choice of the death or if you need to contact them. The time frame for your loved one being released into the funeral home’s care may vary, but the staff should keep you updated throughout the process. Most hospice facilities will pre-arrange end of life plans and coordinate all of the details for you after a death occurs. 

When a Death Occurs Away From Home

When someone dies in a hospital or other facility, the caregivers and staff will help coordinate the discharge process. You may need to clarify whether the facility will be notifying your funeral home of choice of the death or if you need to contact them. The time frame for your loved one being released into the funeral home’s care may vary, but the staff should keep you updated throughout the process. Most hospice facilities will pre-arrange end of life plans and coordinate all of the details for you after a death occurs. 

Cremation and Funeral Service FAQs
When Should I Contact a Funeral Home After a Loved One Dies? ▾

Contact a funeral home as soon as the appropriate medical professionals or authorities have been notified and you are ready to arrange your loved one's care. Weeks' Dryer Mortuary can help coordinate transportation and guide your family through the decisions that follow, whether the death occurs at home, in a hospital, or in a care facility.

What Choices Have the Biggest Impact on the Total Cost of Funeral Arrangements? ▾

The total cost of funeral arrangements depends largely on the services and merchandise a family selects. Choosing burial or cremation, adding a visitation or ceremony, selecting a casket or urn, and arranging cemetery or other third-party services can all affect the final amount. Families should request an itemized estimate before making decisions.

Cost Factor How It Can Affect the Arrangement
Burial or cremation The selected form of disposition determines which services and preparations are required.
Type of ceremony A traditional funeral, memorial, graveside service, or direct arrangement involves different services and resources.
Visitation or viewing Adding visitation may require additional preparation, facilities, staffing, and scheduling.
Casket or urn Merchandise selections can change the overall cost depending on the family's preferences.
Cemetery arrangements Burial may involve cemetery-related expenses separate from the funeral home's services.
Personalization Flowers, multimedia tributes, music, and other selected elements may create additional expenses.
How Should Our Family Choose Between Having a Visitation and Holding a Service Without One? ▾

Choose a visitation when giving relatives and friends an opportunity to gather before the funeral is meaningful to your family. A service without visitation may be more appropriate when the family prefers a simpler or more private arrangement. The decision should reflect your loved one's wishes, family traditions, desired level of participation, and overall plans.

Option May Be a Good Fit When
Service with visitation Family and friends want a designated opportunity to gather, offer condolences, and say goodbye before the funeral or burial.
Service without visitation The family wants a ceremony but prefers not to hold a separate viewing or gathering beforehand.
Memorial service The family wants to gather and honor the person without requiring the body to be present.
Direct burial or cremation The family prefers a straightforward disposition without a formal public ceremony at that time.
What Happens After I Call the Funeral Home to Report That a Loved One has Died? ▾

After you contact Weeks' Dryer Mortuary, the next steps depend on where and how the death occurred. Once any required medical or official procedures are completed, the funeral home can coordinate bringing your loved one into its care. The family can then begin making arrangements and selecting funeral, burial, cremation, or memorial services.

A typical process includes:

  1. Confirm the circumstances of the death. The funeral home needs to understand where the death occurred and whether the appropriate medical professionals or authorities have been notified.
  2. Coordinate transfer into care. If the death occurred at a hospital or care facility, staff may coordinate with the funeral home. For an unexpected death at home, authorities or emergency services should be contacted first.
  3. Arrange a planning conference. The family meets with funeral home staff to discuss the available arrangements and necessary information.
  4. Provide vital information. Families may be asked for information needed to prepare required paperwork and records.
  5. Choose the type of service. Options may include a traditional funeral, memorial service, burial, direct burial, cremation, or another personalized tribute.
  6. Select meaningful details. Depending on the arrangement, families can discuss elements such as merchandise, music, readings, flowers, photographs, and video tributes.
  7. Coordinate the arrangements. The funeral home helps organize the selected services and guides the family through the remaining decisions.
Does Choosing Cremation Mean Our Family Cannot Have a Funeral, Visitation, or Memorial Service? ▾

No. Choosing cremation does not prevent a family from holding a meaningful funeral or memorial service. Weeks' Dryer Mortuary offers cremation alongside personalized memorial options, allowing families to decide how they want relatives and friends to gather, remember their loved one, and share support before or after cremation.

What is Your General Service Area for Funeral, Burial, and Cremation Services? ▾

Weeks' Dryer Mortuary is located in Tacoma and serves families seeking funeral, burial, cremation, and memorial arrangements in Tacoma, Spanaway, Parkland, and surrounding communities. The broader Weeks Funeral Homes network provides funeral and cremation services across the Puget Sound area, giving families access to multiple locations when appropriate for their arrangements.

  • Primary Target Cities: Families who lost a loved one searching for funeral services in Tacoma, Spanaway, and Parkland, WA.
  • Broader Coverage: Puget Sound and surrounding areas
  • Available Services: Traditional funeral and burial services, direct burial, cremation, memorial services, and personalized life celebrations
  • Location-Specific Availability: Families outside the immediate area should contact Weeks' Dryer Mortuary to confirm service availability and any transportation or coordination requirements for their circumstances.