What to do when someone dies?

Question

I need to know briefly how our society handles death (not the grieving process or anything but the actions that need to take place...)

like, if for example a family member died in the bed upstairs, would the first action be calling a mortuary or whatever?

basically what happens to the dead person and the dead person's family in between the time upon noticing the death to when they are completely burried?

i don't mean to sound unsympathetic to death. i need the information to compare our society's funeral procedings with those of native americans.

Answer 1

generally they are taken to the morgue- depending on the situation an autopsy may be in order. Afterwards, in most cases, the body is prepared for the wake or viewing (a completely morbid and bizarre tradition if you ask me but , this practie is carried over from pagan traditions) The body is preserved with formeldahyde, dressed and make up is applied- if the person died in a traumatic accident, reconstruction of the features may take place unless the family opts for closed casket. The viewing is usually within a week of the persons death. An opbituary is put in the newspaper and , friends and family are notified of the wake and funeral times. Then the day after the viewing, there is either a church service that culminates in a procession to the gravesite where guests witness the casket being lowered into the ground and final goodbyes are said or a gravesite service that culminates in the lowering of the casket into the ground and final goodbyes are said. After this the grave is covered when guests have departed (sometimes the casket goes into a wall or above ground tomb which is usually secured after guests have gone) Often , after this guests meet at a family members home for refreshments and fellowship where they talk about the life of the deceased and comfort each other in a more social and relaxed setting .

There are variations to this when a body is creamated,
(or as in my case where I will request NO WAKE) Little details may be cahnged hee and there but this is the common,'American way' of dealing with a death

Answer 2

Most has been said above, It is important to let all relatives know of the death.
In my dads case , my brother called the mortuary. They sent out a small van to pick up the body. As we watched on the body was put in a plastic bag that looked like a bin liner They try-ed to put my dad in a sitting position in the back of this van . We were appalled My brother told them to stop and take my dad back in the house . There was no way that was how he was going to leave his home.Not only was it dis respect full . Is this what his life was worth. It was so insensitive. My brother instructed them to return with a vehicle more fitting .They did.
My father had left money for his wake ( After the funeral ) at his local social club. He wanted a happy send off . He got one.

Answer 3

You would call the mortuary or the police depending on if it looked like foul play was involved.

You would probably call your family and people would come in an say their goodbyes. Some family members would be creeped out by this and they would avoid seeing the body.

To find out what happens to the body a good book to read is "Stiff" by Mary Roach.

Sadly, our society has gotten away from dealing with death. People usually die in hospitals and they whisk the body away to the mortuary. In older times people had to clean and dress the body themselves. They held a wake at their home until the funeral. Often times they dug the grave themselves.

Wearing black was a good way to communicate to others that you were in mourning, also wearing black armbands. Putting a black wreath on your door let all your neighbors know of a death in your family. They would come over bearing food and flowers. Covering all the mirrors in the home and stopping the clocks. All these things helped people cope with the death of their loved one. It's to bad we don't do these things anymore, I think they would help us mourn in a constructive way.

Now days people are more likely to think you need to just get over it. Move on. The thing is people don't want to move on, they want time to mourn.

Answer 4

Worshipful Heart gave you some good info.
My family has expericed much death in the last few years so I can say the above info is correct but it can also be made a bit more personal if the family wishes.
My mom and aunt lived in mainstream USA but still had a very few of their native American ways.
When my auntie passed on, she had a say before hand about her services and she picked the music and my cousins had some chanting and a few native customs were performed.
My mother was buried with a few native jewlery pieces that were her fathers things.