When the grief and shock comes, it is an especially difficult time. It is hard to handle the many forms and details, difficult to gather the facts you will need. We are here to offer assistance and guide you through the details. Arrangement conferences may be held at the funeral home, or we can come to your home.

If Death Is Expected
If a hospice organization recognized by the State of Florida is in charge of the patient's care, then a phone call from the hospice staff is all that is required. If a home health care provider is involved with the patient's care, then by law, you must call 911 and inform the dispatcher that a death has occured. The 911 dispatcher cannot assume that death has occured and therefore they will dispatch Rescue as well as the Police who will respond as they would to any normal emergency. In certain cases, you may be able to prevent Rescue and the Police from responding with lights and sirens by having a DO NOT RESUSCITATE ORDER. These can be obtained from a doctor or an attorney.

Sudden Death at Home
Call 911 immediately. Rescue and the police or sheriff deputy will be dispatched. The 911 dispatcher cannot assume that death has occured. The officer will contact the doctor who was in charge of the patients care. In the event that there is not a doctor to sign the death certificate, the officer will have to contact the Medical Examiner. The Medical Examiner will also be contacted if the EMT's and the officer determines that the death may be due to a cause other than natural.

At a Nursing Home
Upon entering a health care center or assisted living facility, one of the first things they will need to know is what funeral home preference you have. If death does occur, the facility will first notify the family and then call the funeral home on record.

At a Hospital
If a death occurs in a hospital, you will need to inform the nursing supervisor to contact Banfield Funeral Home.

Out of Town
If a death occurs out of state and you would like to send your loved one home for burial you have a couple of options.

1. You may ask locally for a referral to a reputable funeral home and have that funeral home contact us.
2. You may call us long distance and we will assist you in choosing a funeral home through the national associations we are a member of. Either way, please contact us so that we may assist you with the arrangements. Also, if you decide on arrangements other than sending your loved one home, please feel free to contact us as a resource for information or if you have any questions or concerns. We would be glad to help you anyway we can.

Unanticipated Death while on Vacation
In the event that there has not been any contact with a medical doctor in our area, the Medical Examiner will have to be notified. Depending on the circumstances, an autopsy may or may not be required.