What To Do in the Event of a Death

1. Telephone the Gibbons Funeral Home: +1 (630) 832-0018

2. Inform Gibbons Funeral Home of the following information:

  • Who you are
  • Your Telephone number
  • Who has passed away, and at what time
  • Where the deceased is located
  • The cause of death if known, and their approximate condition
  • Make an appointment immediately with Gibbons Funeral Home

3. Gather information for the Death Certificate:

  • Full name and middle initial of the deceased
  • Date and place of birth
  • Social Security number
  • Education
  • Military record
  • Marital status
  • Father's name
  • Mother's name and mother's maiden name

4. Select clothing and personal items for the deceased.

  • Several recent photographs
  • Full set of clothing, including undergarments
  • Eyeglasses, dentures, etc.
  • Jewelry
  • Religious symbols (cross, rosary, etc.)

5. Gather Obituary Information:

  • Gibbons Funeral Home will normally write the article and submit to the newspaper(s).

6. Decide an appropriate memorial to which gifts can be made.

  • (Church, Hospice, Library, School, or Charity)

7. Select Pallbearers.

8. Make a list and contact by telephone:

  • Immediate family
  • Close friends
  • Employer or business colleagues
  • Attorney

9. Locate the will and notify the Lawyer and Executor.

10. Arrange for members of the family or close friends to take turns answering door or telephone. Keep a careful record of all calls.

11. Arrange for childcare, if necessary.

12. Arrange hospitality for visiting relatives and friends.

13. Check and notify:

  • All Life and Casualty Insurance Company(s)
  • Death benefits
  • Bank or Credit Union
  • Trade Union
  • Fraternal organizations
  • Military organizations (American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars)

14. Prepare a list of distant persons to be notified.

15. Social Security:

  • Gibbons Funeral Home will prepare Social Security Form SSA 721.
  • If checks are automatic deposit, notify bank of death.
  • Check with Social Security at (800) 772-1213 to see that number is retired, and for additional benefits.

16. If deceased was living alone, notify:

  • Landlord
  • Utility companies
  • Post Office - forwarding address