Immediately after death
Contact the authorities
If your loved one passes away outside of a hospital or hospice setting, call 911 right away. A licensed professional will need to officially pronounce the death. If the death occurs in a hospital or under hospice care, the medical staff will take care of this step for you.
Give yourself a moment
Losing someone you love can feel overwhelming. It’s natural to experience a wide range of emotions, and you may not know what to do next. In the first hours, and even days, after a loss, allow yourself space to breathe. You don’t need to make every decision right away. Rest if you need to. Talk to someone you trust. Let others support you.
Soon after death
Contact a funeral home to arrange transportation
If you have your loved one’s will or prepaid funeral plan (link to preplanning page) on hand, check to see if a specific funeral home is named. If not, you can choose a provider you trust.
Smith Funeral Chapel is available to assist with transportation and arrangements, even if you haven’t made any final decisions yet. We’ll help bring your loved one into our care without any obligation to use additional services.
Begin notifying close family and friends
When you feel ready, begin letting immediate family and close friends know about the passing. You can also delegate. Ask a few trusted family members or friends to help share the news so you’re not carrying the emotional weight alone. Focus your energy where it’s most needed and know that it’s okay to ask for help.
Find your loved one’s will and any funeral plans
To honor your loved one’s wishes, it’s important to locate their will and any documents related to prepaid funeral or cremation arrangements. If your loved one didn’t leave behind a will or formal funeral plan, don’t worry—you can still make thoughtful decisions that reflect who they were.
While there may be no legal documentation, your care, judgment, and the input of those closest to them can help shape a meaningful tribute.
Choose a funeral home and begin making arrangements
If a funeral home is named in a will or prepaid funeral plan, contact that provider directly to move forward. If no plan exists, you’ll need to select a funeral home that meets your needs. Smith Funeral Chapel is a full-service funeral home in Eau Claire, and we’re here to guide you through each step of how to plan a funeral—from choosing between cremation or burial, to selecting a casket or urn, and deciding on the type of service that feels most appropriate for your loved one. Whether you’re planning a traditional funeral and graveside service, cremation memorial, or a personalized celebration of life, we’ll help you make decisions that feel right for your family.
Meeting with the funeral planner
Gather essential information
As you prepare to meet with the funeral home, you’ll need to collect some key information and documents. These details are required to begin the death certificate process and to move forward with making arrangements. Understanding how to obtain a death certificate after a loved one dies can help you feel more prepared during this time.
Be prepared to provide your loved one’s:
● Social Security number
● Birth Certificate
● Veterans discharge papers (DD-214), if applicable
Having this information ready ahead of time can help make the arrangement conference go more smoothly and reduce the number of follow-up tasks during an already difficult time.
Write an obituary
An obituary paints a picture of a life lived. Highlighting the impact they had on others, along with personal stories, and meaningful memories helps capture their spirit and the love they shared with family and friends.
Smith Funeral Chapel can help you write an obituary and submit it to local newspapers. We also have templates available to help you get started.
Gather photos for display
Creating a tribute video with photos and videos is a meaningful way to honor your loved one. Gather favorite images and memories from friends and family, and Smith Funeral Chapel can help you turn them into a heartfelt display. A memory table featuring photos and personal items is a thoughtful addition to both traditional funeral services and cremation memorials.
Before the funeral and interment
Prepare for the service
Once the service details are set, begin sharing service details with friends and family. Smith Funeral Chapel can help include this information in the obituary and share it with the community.
As you reach out to friends and family, consider asking for help with setup, food, and other service-related needs.
Plan a post-service gathering
After the service, many families choose to hold a reception to continue honoring their loved one and supporting one another. Smith Funeral Chapel offers an additional building next to the funeral home with on-site reception space, making it convenient to gather, share stories, and spend time together after the ceremony.
After the funeral
Take care of you: Navigating Grief
Loss can be a tough transition to deal with, and the grief that comes with it is natural. While navigating grief, know that you are not alone and there are people and resources for you. Our resource page can connect you to The Healing Place in Eau Claire. The healing place is an organization that offers free support services and educational programming for anyone having difficulty along life’s more trying journeys.