Complete Funeral Guide: What to Do After a Death

The loss of a loved one brings moments that you can’t prepare for. At such moments, it can be difficult to focus on the practical things – but some of them need to be done.
This guide will guide you through the basic steps that follow after a death. It offers insight, advice and the reassurance that you can rely on us.

The first moments after passing away: What should I do?

What to do if a death occurs at home?

If the death occurs at home, you should first contact a doctor – a general practitioner, an emergency room or the ambulance service (155). The doctor will examine the body and issue a Certificate of Examination of the Deceased, which is necessary for further steps.

Leave everything alone until the doctor arrives. There is no need to cover or move the body. Close the windows, make the room quiet (turn off the TV, only you or one other person remain nearby). Once the doctor has completed the examination, you can contact the funeral service, which will arrange for the transport of the deceased and explain to you what will happen next.

Just one phone call is enough – and we at PEGAS Funeral Home will take care of everything else.

Death in a hospital or nursing home

If the death occurs in a hospital or social care facility, the surviving relatives will be informed by the nursing staff. The facility will arrange for the examination of the body and the delivery of the necessary documents.

You can collect the deceased’s personal belongings by arrangement with the staff.
For transport and subsequent care of the body, contact the funeral service.

Death in public or as a result of an accident

In such cases, emergency services – the police and medical services – will step in. They will perform the necessary actions and contact the loved ones.

As soon as the situation allows, contact the funeral home, which will take over the body from the medical facility and ensure sensitive transportation.

Necessary documents and administrative steps

Body examination and Certificate of Examination of the Deceased

This document is issued by a doctor after examining the body. It is a confirmation of death and is necessary for issuing a death certificate.
It is provided by the doctor or facility where the death occurred – you don’t have to worry about anything.

Death certificate – where and how to get it

The death certificate is issued by the registry office according to the place of death. It is usually not necessary to request it – everything is taken care of by the funeral service.

The registry office needs:

• A letter of examination of the deceased,
• Personal documents of the deceased (ID card, possibly marriage certificate),
• Basic information about the person reporting the death.

A death certificate is usually issued within a few working days and can be requested in multiple copies. We have written more detailed information about the death certificate in the article: Processing a death certificate. Where? When? How?

Other important documents of the deceased

You will hand over your personal documents (ID card, insurance card, or passport) to the funeral service. After registration in the registry office, these documents will be returned to the family or destroyed.

Everything else – bank cards, contracts, memberships – can be left aside until the time comes for the inheritance proceedings.

Planning the funeral and arrangements

The question: “How should I arrange a funeral?” will come to mind several times during this sudden situation. Remember that you are never alone in this difficult moment.

In the following lines, we will talk about how we work at PEGAS Funeral Home. We make sure to make this difficult moment as easy as possible for you. And above all, to make the last farewell according to you, not according to a template.

First contact with a funeral service – what to prepare

During the first talk, we will only ask what is necessary:

• name of the deceased,
• location,
• your contact information,
• idea of ​​the type of funeral

We can add everything else later. The meeting can be arranged in person, by phone or directly at the ceremony location.

Choosing a funeral type

There are more possibilities:

• Cremation with or without ceremony,
• burial in the ground,
• civil ceremony,
• church ceremony.

We will help you choose the form that best suits the personality of the deceased and the wishes of the family.
A detailed overview of the individual types of farewell can be found in a separate article.

Other essentials: Choosing a coffin, urn and decorations

At PEGAS Funeral Home we offer a wide selection of coffins, urns and accessories. We will help you coordinate the decoration, colors and materials so that everything looks dignified and natural. If you do not want to decide on the spot, you can take a look at our products.

It is up to you what tone you want to set for the whole farewell.

Writing a funeral announcement (obituary)

An obituary is a way to share the news of loss of a loved one. It should be brief and include:

• name of the deceased,
• date of birth and death,
• place and time of the ceremony,
• a short personal text or motto, which you can choose.

PEGAS will ensure the design, printing and distribution of the announcement – in a delicate and aesthetic design.

Flower decoration and music

Flowers and music help express what words cannot.

We will advise you on choosing flowers according to the season and symbolism. You can choose the music yourself – a favorite song of the deceased, or a gentle instrumental composition.

Funeral reception

After the ceremony, you can decide to have a short get-together with your loved ones. Sometimes a toast together is enough, sometimes lunch in a quiet restaurant. If you wish, we will recommend a suitable place and arrange a reservation.

The course of the mourning ceremony and funeral

What to expect on the day of the funeral

A representative from PEGAS Funeral Home will be on site to coordinate everything. We will oversee the timing, decorations, music, and ceremonial details.

Your task is simply to be there.

Etiquette and appropriate behavior at a funeral

Dark, modest clothing is recommended for the ceremony. Keep mobile phones switched off.
The focus is on the deceased and their story. If you wish, you can receive condolences at the end of the ceremony. Our representative will prepare the situation for you at the end of the ceremony.

A detailed overview of etiquette can be found in the article: How to behave at a funeral – etiquette, clothing and condolences.

Funeral meeting or reception

The farewell can be followed by a short gathering with a toast or a memorial service for family and loved ones. If you wish, you can thank your guests and reminisce together.

This will extend the time of farewell by a few moments and perhaps ease the sadness of the day.

After the funeral – what not to forget

Settling the estate (inheritance proceedings)

After receiving the death certificate, the inheritance proceedings are initiated, which are conducted by a notary appointed by the court. You will be informed about all steps by mail. It is not necessary to contact the court yourself.

Entitlement to funeral and other possible benefits

You may be entitled to a funeral allowance – a one-off contribution from the state.
You can apply for it at the employment office in your place of residence. We will help you find out if you are entitled to the allowance and how to apply for it.

Deregistration of contracts and services of the deceased

After the ceremony, it is advisable to gradually resolve practical matters:

• energy, telephone, internet, insurance, rent, bills, memberships or subscriptions.
  There is no need to rush – these steps can wait until the inheritance proceedings are concluded.
  We will help you create a simple overview so that none of the obligations are left unattended.

Care of the grave site (in case of burial in the ground)

After the funeral, it is possible to arrange the rental of a grave site and its care.
We also provide cooperation with stonemasons, maintenance, decoration and transfer of ashes to the family grave.

Contact PEGAS, we will help you

Our role is to be with you – from the first phone call to the last farewell gesture.
We will arrange everything from the transport of the deceased, through the ceremony, printed matter and flowers, to the processing of official documents. All according to your wishes and sensitively.

In silence.

We are here for you anytime on the phone number +420 800 176 423.