When a person passes away, families are often left with questions during a time of grief and confusion. Among the most common is: What happens next?
Sequim Valley Funeral Chapel, a long-established funeral home serving Clallam and Jefferson counties, is often asked to explain what takes place following a death. Their licensed funeral directors and embalmers help guide families through a process that can vary depending on the circumstances of the death.
If the deceased was under hospice care, hospice staff typically contact the funeral home selected by the family. Funeral home staff then go to the residence or care facility and bring the individual into their care.
Deaths that occur in hospitals follow a similar pattern. Hospital staff will ask the family to choose a funeral home, which then sends staff to the hospital to receive the deceased.
However, not all deaths occur under such controlled circumstances. In cases of sudden or unexpected deaths – known as “unattended deaths” – the coroner becomes involved. In these instances, the coroner may take custody of the remains to collect samples and conduct procedures necessary to determine the cause of death. This investigative process can take several days.
Due to the rural nature of the Olympic Peninsula, coroner offices in the region often lack the facilities to shelter the deceased during this time. As a result, they may rely on local funeral homes to provide temporary storage.
Despite being placed in the care of a particular funeral home during this process, families are not obligated to continue using that home’s services once the coroner’s jurisdiction ends. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers have the right to select only the funeral arrangements they want. This includes transferring the deceased to a different funeral home at no cost to the family.
In some cases, when the coroner does not take jurisdiction but the deceased is taken to a funeral home on rotation, there may be transportation costs to move the remains to another provider. Funeral directors at Sequim Valley Funeral Chapel recommend asking whether a preferred funeral home is willing to cover that cost. Some local providers offer this support to ensure families’ choices are respected.
“The death of a loved one is an emotionally overwhelming time,” says Licensed Funeral Director Erick Scheiderman. “We are here around the clock to provide guidance and support, ensuring that families understand their rights and have the information they need to make the best decisions.”
Sequim Valley Funeral Chapel serves families across the Olympic Peninsula and offers assistance 24 hours a day. For more information, call 360-683-5242 to speak with a licensed funeral director.
