When a loved one passes away, you are most likely going to feel overwhelmed. Not only are you going to have to process the passing, but you also have to think of things such as making arrangements with funeral homes in Belvidere, IL. All of this can leave you feeling lost and as if you are not sure where to even begin.

To help you, we have put together a list of important papers and items to bring with you when meeting with the funeral home. Having these items handy and available will ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible. Let’s get started.

Biographical Information

First, the funeral home will need all the biographical information of your loved one. This will include:

• Birth certificate
• Social security card
• Date of birth
• Legal address
• Spouses full name and maiden name (if applicable)
• Name of schools attended
• Name of employer
• Primary care physician name
• Names of surviving relatives such as siblings, grandchildren, children, etc.
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)

Paperwork and Documents

This list will vary depending on what your loved one had or didn’t have. A general list can include items such as:

• Life insurance policies
• Deeds to cemetery paperwork
• Any preplanned funeral paperwork
• Military papers (DD 214 Form)

Personal Items

Other than paperwork, you will need to gather some personal items for your loved one and bring these with you. These items include:

• Clothing to be buried in including undergarments, shirt (preferably long sleeves), shoes, socks, or hosiery
• Dentures (if applicable)
• Any jewelry
• A recent photograph that can be used as a reference for hair and makeup
• A photo to be used for the obituary
• Photos to be used in the memorial tribute video

Other Items to Bring

While you don’t have to bring these items right away, other items you will want to gather and have ready are things for the memorial tribute table. These can be things such as:

• Awards
• Framed photographs
• Crafts
• Ribbons
• Other memorabilia

Tips to Make This Easier

This is a difficult time for you and having to deal with your grief and handle gathering all these items can be a daunting task. To help make it a little more manageable, here are some tips:

• Enlist help– Don’t be afraid or feel bad to ask for help. Enlist another family member or a close friend to help you keep track of what you need, find papers, make copies of documents, or whatever else you need. Your family member or friend would be glad to help you.
• Stay organized– Keeping track of so many documents and papers can be tough. Make sure to stay organized by having one binder or folder you can collect everything. With personal items such as clothing, having one box or basket for everything can help keep it all together and organized.

Final Thoughts

Meeting with funeral homes in Belvidere, IL to make arrangements for your loved one’s services is never easy. There are so many things to consider and plan, but having these items with you at the time of your meeting can help streamline the process and make it a little easier for you overall. If you need any additional information on what to bring with you, call us anytime.