When Death Occurs
What to Do When Death Occurs
Learn What to do when a loved one dies. A Step-by-step guidance from Strickland Funeral Home, available 24/7 to help your family.
When a loved one passes away, knowing what to do next can feel overwhelming. If you are in Lavonia or Hartwell or surrounding areas like Elberton, Fair Play, Martin, or Starr, this step-by-step guide will help you understand exactly what to do and when to do it. At Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell & Lavonia, we are available 24 hours a day to guide you through every step.
📍 Step 1: Determine Where the Death Occurred
If the death occurs at home:
- Call 911 or local emergency services
- If under hospice care, contact your hospice nurse
- Once the death is pronounced, contact our funeral home
If the death occurs at a hospital or nursing facility:
- The staff will handle the initial steps
- Inform them you have chosen Strickland Funeral Home of Lavonia
- They will coordinate directly with us
If the death is unexpected:
- Authorities (coroner or medical examiner) may be involved
- This is a normal part of the process
- We will guide you once arrangements can begin
☎️ Step 2: Contact a Funeral Home
Contact Strickland Funeral Home of Lavonia as soon as possible.
We are available 24/7 to:
- Bring your loved one into our care
- Begin arrangements
- Answer your immediate questions
👉 Call Now:
📞 Hartwell (706) 376-3901 📞 Lavonia (706) 356-1110
👉
Website:
https://www.stricklandfh.com/
🧭 Step 3: Begin Funeral or Cremation Arrangements
We will schedule a time to meet with you and guide you through:
- Burial or cremation options
- Service type (funeral, memorial, private)
- Personalization options
- Obituary preparation
👉 You do not need to have everything decided—we walk you through it step-by-step.
📋 Step 4: Gather Important Information
To complete arrangements, it helps to have:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Social Security number
- Parents’ names (including mother’s maiden name)
- Place of birth
- Military service records (if applicable)
- Insurance or pre-planning documents
👉 Don’t worry if you don’t have everything right away.
⛪ Step 5: Notify Family, Friends, and Clergy
You may begin notifying:
- Immediate family
- Close friends
- Church or clergy
We can assist with:
- Writing the obituary
- Coordinating with churches and cemeteries
- Publishing service details
⚖️ Step 6: Understand Key Decisions
You will be asked to make decisions about:
- Burial or cremation
- Service location and type
- Final resting place
- Personal touches and memorialization
👉 There is no pressure to rush—take the time you need.
💡 What You Don’t Need to Do Right Away
Many families feel overwhelmed in the first hours.
You do NOT need to:
- Make every decision immediately
- Gather every document
- Contact everyone at once
👉 Focus on the next step. We will guide you through the rest.
🤝 How We Help Families in Lavonia & Surrounding Areas
At Strickland Funeral Homes of Hartwell & Lavonia, we provide:
- 24/7 immediate response
- Compassionate, experienced care
- Personalized funeral and cremation services
- Help with paperwork and planning
- Ongoing support for families
We proudly serve Avalon, Bowersville, Bowman, Canon, Carnesville, Eastanollee, Elberton, Hartwell, Lavonia, Martin, Royston, and all of the surrounding Northeast Georgia communities.
🚨 Immediate Need? Call Now
If a death has occurred or is imminent, call us now.
👉 📞 Hartwell (706) 376-3901 📞 Lavonia (706) 356-1110
You don’t need to have everything figured out.
You just need to make one call.
❓ FAQ SECTION
What is the first thing I should do when someone dies at home in Georgia?
Call 911 or hospice (if applicable), then contact a funeral home once the death has been officially pronounced.
Do I have to decide everything right away?
No. Most decisions can be made over time. The first step is simply contacting a funeral home.
Who picks up the body after death?
Once you contact a funeral home, they will transport your loved one into their care.
What documents are needed to make arrangements?
Basic personal information is needed, but it does not all have to be gathered immediately.
Can I choose cremation or burial later?
Yes. You can take time to decide what is right for your family.
