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Where to Start

Making arrangements after the death of a loved one can be overwhelming. But you’re not alone, we are here to support and guide you. To help you get started, below is some helpful information. But please feel free to contact us with any questions.

 

 

Within Hours

If your loved one is on hospice or in a healthcare facility, the funeral home is called directly.

But if the person dies at home or somewhere that is not a healthcare facility, you’ll need to contact emergency personnel before they can be taken into our care. As a rule, the police will come and talk to you and check with the Medical Examiner before releasing the deceased into our care.

Sometimes, if the death was accidental or not of natural causes, the Medical Examiner may require the person to be transported to the State Medical Examiner’s office where a physical examination and toxology will be performed.

We like to recommend that you hit the PAUSE button and give yourself some time after the death has occurred. Family members can still arrive and feel the sacredness of this transition. Children or grandchildren can say goodbye in a familiar setting. Light candles, have a toast, share stories. Decide if you want them dressed in a departure outfit. Sometimes the funeral home is called so quickly that the body is transported and the medical equipment removed that your emotions haven’t caught up with what has just transpired. Don’t rush this part of the process, this is not an emergency.

It’s also important that family members stay hydrated by drinking lots of water and eat easily digestible foods. Good health supports a clear mind. There are many decisions to make and these decisions require clarity.

Family dynamics also come into play at this time. We all experience varying degrees of family dysfunction, but everything is now magnified. Things can be said and feelings hurt that can fracture family relationships. We recommend giving people the benefit of the doubt that their remarks were not meant to be harmful. And if they were, for the benefit of the memory of your loved one, ignore them rather than escalate the situation. This can be one of the most difficult times for a family to endure. Allow us as your funeral directors to be your family mediator. We know through years of experience that family relationships are precious, and our goal is to protect them.



Within a Few Days

You should inform close friends and relatives of your loved one’s passing through phone calls. This can be a difficult process, so you can reach out to a trusted family member or friend to help if you’d wish.

Review your loved one’s preplanned funeral wishes and meet with a funeral director to plan their service.

Do not announce the date and time of the service until you have visited with the funeral director. If the service includes a burial, the cemetery schedule plays a key role. Determine the day that you want, then confirm that the date and time work with the cemetery and then with the funeral home. If all schedules are in alignment, then you can start announcing the service.

If your loved one didn’t preplan any funeral wishes, you can start by considering some of the following:

  • What kind of service
    • Funeral (with body present)
    • Memorial (without casket present, but urn can be present)
    • Graveside Service with Memorial service to follow
    • Graveside Service only
    • Direct or Immediate Burial (no service or family present)
  • Choose a casket or cremation container.
  • Choose location for the service.
  • For burial, location of their final resting place.
  • For cremation, location of their final resting place through burial or scattering.
  • Make a note of any desired traditions or religious rituals.
  • Select the attire you want to be dressed in.
  • Select an overall theme for funeral stationery and any décor.
  • Choose floral arrangements.
  • Choose any specific hymns and songs you’d like included.
  • Pick photos and mementos for a memorial display.

 

This is just a starting point, so don’t feel like you need to know all the answers right now. We want to make this process as easy and meaningful as possible, so please contact us with any questions or for more information about your funeral service options.

When We Meet

When you meet with us to begin planning the service, we’ll show you our general price list to give you a basic idea of our service costs. Then, we’ll talk with you about your loved one to get a better understanding of the person and services to honor their life.

We will use this information to help you create a personalized, meaningful service to celebrate your loved one. You can share your funeral preferences and ideas, stories about your loved one, their passions, and any other insights into your loved one’s life.

This process also may include:

  • Preparing and filing the official death certificate.
  • Drafting an obituary.
  • Scheduling the funeral services and events, including the date, time, and location.
  • Selecting a casket, urn, and any other products.
  • Decide speakers, music, casket bearers. Finalize the program within a few days in order to have the program proofed and printed for the service.

We want to make this process as simple and stress-free as possible, so please bring the following information about your loved one:

  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Full legal name and home address
  • Social security number
  • Father’s name
  • Mother’s maiden name
  • Highest education
  • Occupation
  • Veteran’s discharge papers (DD-214), if applicable
  • Information about the burial location, if applicable
  • Clergy name and phone number, if applicable
  • Insurance policy information if using to pay for funeral expenses
  • Names and relationships of survivors
  • A recent photograph of your loved one and any clothing you want used when dressing them for the service

Threadgill’s Memorial Services, LLC
Phone: 503-526-3952
4815 SW Jamieson Road, Beaverton, OR

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