When Death Occurs

When a death occurs in your family, you will be faced with important tasks and decision-making during a very difficult time. You may not know what to do or when to begin making arrangements. Bearing the responsibility can be overwhelming. Remember that you are not alone. Boulger Funeral Homes is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to assist you with the details and offer our guidance. We have compiled the following list to help guide you through the steps you will need to take when a death has occurred. Your funeral director will help coordinate all of the details when you meet for an arrangement conference.

  1. After a death has occurred, notify your nearest Boulger Funeral Homes Location by calling (701) 237-6441. The following are some questions that we may ask when you call:
    • What is the full name of the deceased?
    • What is the location of the deceased (Hospital, Nursing Facility or Residence)?
    • What is your name, address and telephone number?
    • What is the name, address and phone number of the next-of-kin?
    • Is there a pre-arranged funeral plan? (If yes, what is the plan name or number?)

We will then set an appointment time for you to come to the funeral home to complete the details of the funeral arrangement. We will ask you to bring in some items and information that will be necessary to complete the arrangement. These items will include:

  • Clothing for the deceased (if applicable)
  • Social security number of the deceased
  • The deceased’s birth date and city and state of birth
  • The deceased’s parents names, including mother’s maiden name
  • Information about the deceased’s education
  • Marital status of the deceased
  • Veteran’s discharge papers or Claim Number
  • A recent photograph of the deceased
  • Pre-arrangement paperwork (if applicable)
  • Cemetery lot information (if applicable)

2. With the assistance of Boulger Funeral Homes Hospitality Group, contact your clergy. Decide on a time and place for the funeral or memorial service (the services may be held at the funeral home)

3. The funeral home will assist you in determining the number of copies of the death certificates that you will need and will order them for you

4. Make a list of family, friends and business colleagues, and notify each by phone. You may wish to use a “branching” system: make a few phone calls to other relatives or friends and ask each of them to make a phone call or two to specific people

5. Decide on an appropriate charity to which gifts may be made (church, hospice, library, organization, school)

6. Gather obituary information, including a photo, age, place of birth, occupation, college degrees, memberships held, military service, outstanding work and a list of survivors in the immediate family. Include the time and place of the funeral services. The funeral home will usually write the obituary and submit it to the newspaper(s)

7. Delegate special needs of the household, such as cleaning, food preparation, etc., to friends and family who offer their help

8. Select pallbearers and notify the funeral home. (People with heart or back difficulties may be named honorary pallbearers)

9. Plan for the disposition of flowers after the funeral (to a church, hospital or rest home)

10. Prepare a list of people to receive acknowledgments of flowers, calls, etc. Send appropriate acknowledgments, which may be a written note, printed acknowledgments, or both. Include “thank yous” to those who have given their time, as well

11. Notify insurance companies of the death

12. Locate the will and notify the lawyer and executor

13. Carefully check all life and casualty insurance and death benefits, including Social Security, credit union, trade union, fraternal, and military. Check on possible income for survivors from these sources

14. Check promptly on all debts and installment payments, including credit cards. Some may carry insurance clauses that will cancel them. If there is to be a delay in meeting payments, consult with creditors and ask for more time before the payments are due

15. If the deceased was living alone, notify the utility companies and landlord and tell the post office where to send the mail

Death Away From Home

When death occurs away from home (the Red River Valley), the loss of a loved one
becomes emotionally and financially stressful. Please be assured that by first
contacting us, all of the necessary arrangements involved in bringing your
loved one home will be taken care of.

By dealing with our funeral home as your first resource, our caring staff will take care of all of the necessary details in bringing your loved one home. There will be no additional charge for the out of town funeral home’s services as long as our funeral home is allowed to choose and contact that funeral home in arranging for a traditional funeral service as listed on our general price list.

Our services include the following:

  • A call to a funeral home of our choice in the community in which the death occurred.
  • Out of town removal, care and preparation of the body
  • Placing of remains in a shipping container
  • Securing of documents for shipping

* This does not include airline or transportation fee

We offer a toll free number which is answered twenty-four hours so that we may save you costs ranging in the thousands of dollars, relieving both emotional and financial stress. Please contact us, visit our general pricing list, or fill out our contact form regarding any questions you may have regarding our policy.

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