Notifications

If you are the person in charge, first call the family of the deceased. Depending on the size of the extended family and how widely dispersed they are, you may want to rely on the immediate family to pass along the news to other family members. 

They may also be able to provide you with contact details for close friends. Do not hesitate to ask for assistance nor to accept it, if offered. 

House of Worship (if appropriate)

Once the family is notified, you will want to contact any house of worship the person attended and notify the person that would be either leading the memorial service, or the designated individual within the organization who deals with the funeral and memorial service planning.

Neighbors & Police

In large metropolitan areas, it is common for thieves to monitor the obituary sections of the newspapers and consider robbing homes that may have be left vacant due to a death in the family. They may also target neighbors or family members close by during the hours of the memorial or funeral service.

To protect the home(s) and content(s), alert surrounding neighbors and police to the situation. Ask the police to drive through the area at the time of the services, and more often than usual for the next few days.