What to Do with a Dead Body, Who’s in Charge, and Who Pays

What do you actually do when someone dies? Call 911, the coroner, or Google “funeral homes near me”? In this episode, director of pre-planning at Feldman Mortuary in Denver, Colorado, Jamie Sarche, returns to The Death Readiness Podcast to demystify what really happens behind the scenes after a death. We discuss how a lack of planning can leave your family vulnerable to grief, manipulation, and financial strain, why skipping a funeral can backfire, and how pre-planning can be the ultimate act of love.We discuss:Whom to call when someone dies at homeWhy calling 911 is often required unless hospice is involvedThe role of hospice, coroners, and funeral homes in body removal and careWhat happens to the bodyWhere the body goes after deathDifferences in funeral home care practicesWho makes decisions after a deathHow state law determines who has authorityWhy written declarations are often unknown or unusedComplications with second marriages and family dynamicsWhy funeral pre-planning mattersAvoiding manipulation and overspending during griefEnsuring your family knows your wishes and avoids unnecessary financial strainThe costs of funeralsHow pre-paying through a funeral home can lock in prices and protect loved onesThe emotional side of funeralsThe six needs of mourning (Jamie and Jill discuss Dr. Alan Wolfelt’s framework)Why skipping funerals can lead to complicated griefHow funerals create meaning, community, and continued connectionFinal expense insurance vs. funeral pre-payment plansActionable steps you can takeConversations to have with family nowHow even simple communal gatherings can support healthy grievingResources & LinksJamie’s previous conversation on The Death Readiness Podcast: What You Need to Know about Embalming, Cremation and Eco-friendly FuneralsJamie’s speaking engagements:TEDx talk: Breaking down the taboos about deathDeath Rituals: Creating Jewish LifeJamie’s Body Talk articleJill’s Obituary Writing Tool– A guided resource for drafting an obituary using ChatGPTJamie’s Six Needs of Mourning GuideConnect with Jamie:Email: [email protected] more about Feldman MortuaryConnect with Jill:Website: DeathReadiness.comEmail: [email protected] to receive news and updates.Love this episode? Please rate and review in the Apple podcasts app!Connect with The Death Readiness PodcastJust launched: Tuesday Triage, short bite-sized episodes answering real listener questions. Have a question about probate, wills, trusts, or estate planning? Submit your Tuesday Triage question here. Your question might be featured in an upcoming episode. This podcast provides estate planning guidance for women and discusses real, practical issues, from caregiving, pre-planning a funeral, how to avoid probate using beneficiary designations, planning for individuals with special needs (and special needs trusts), whether you need a professional fiduciary (trustee or executor), how the estate tax works and how to preserve your legacy. Tuesday Triage episodes answer questions from listeners like you, from powers of attorney, healthcare advance directives (and whether they work when you’re pregnant), what a Last Will and Testament really is, whether you need a trust, how Medicaid works and how to have senior and elder care conversations and how to care for aging parents. Disclaimer: This podcast and all related content are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is established here. Use of this information without careful analysis and review by your attorney, CPA, and/or financial advisor may cause serious adverse consequences. For legal guidance tailored to your unique situation, consult with a licensed attorney in your state.