What to Do When a Death Occurs
A calm, step-by-step guide for the first hours, with Rhone Funeral Home ready to help any time, day or night.
When someone you love dies, it is hard to know what to do first. The most important step is simple: call Rhone Funeral Home at (903) 729-5001. We are available 24 hours a day in Palestine, TX, and we will guide you through every step and bring your loved one into our care. There is no rush to make big decisions right away. This page walks you through what to do, what to have ready, and how we help from here.
Call Us First
Whatever time it is, call us at (903) 729-5001. A real person will answer, listen, and tell you exactly what happens next. If your loved one is at home, we will come to bring them into our care. You do not need to have anything prepared before you call. We are here to take the weight off your shoulders from the very first moment.
Where the Death Occurred
What you do first depends a little on where your loved one passed:
- At home, with hospice. Call the hospice nurse first if your loved one was under hospice care, then call us. Hospice will handle the official pronouncement, and we will take it from there.
- At home, without hospice. Call 911 first so the death can be pronounced, then call us. We will coordinate the rest.
- In a hospital or care facility. The staff will notify you and handle the pronouncement. Let them know you have chosen Rhone Funeral Home, and call us so we can begin.
- Out of town or out of state. Call us no matter where the death occurred. We arrange transfers from other cities and states, and from other countries, and bring your loved one home.
What to Have Ready
When you are ready to meet with us, it helps to gather a few things. There is no need to find everything at once, and we can begin without it:
- Basic information about your loved one. Full name, date of birth, and the details we will need for the death certificate.
- Any prearrangements. If your loved one preplanned with us or another funeral home, let us know so we can honor those wishes.
- Veteran discharge papers. If your loved one served, the DD-214 helps us secure veteran benefits and military honors.
- Clothing and personal items. An outfit to dress your loved one, and any photos, jewelry, or keepsakes you would like included.
How We Help From Here
Once your loved one is in our care, we will sit down with you, at our funeral home or from the comfort of your home, to plan a service that honors them. We will walk you through funeral and cremation options, explain costs clearly and in writing, and help you decide what fits your family. We assist veterans’ families with VA benefits and national cemetery arrangements, coordinate any faith or cultural traditions, and connect you with grief support when you are ready. You set the pace, and we handle the details.
There Is No Rush to Decide
In the first hours, the only thing that needs to happen is bringing your loved one into our care. Everything else can wait. You do not have to choose burial or cremation, pick a casket, or set a date the moment you call. Take the time your family needs to gather, to breathe, and to talk together. When you are ready, we will be here to help you make each decision with a clear mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the very first thing I should do?
Call Rhone Funeral Home at (903) 729-5001, any hour. We will tell you exactly what to do next based on where your loved one passed, and we will bring them into our care.
Is someone really available in the middle of the night?
Yes. We answer calls 24 hours a day, every day. A real person will help you, no matter the hour.
Do we have to make all the decisions right away?
No. The only urgent step is calling us so we can bring your loved one into our care. Arrangements and service decisions can wait until you are ready.
Can you receive a loved one from out of state?
Yes. We arrange transfers from other cities, states, and countries, and we will bring your loved one home to Palestine.
How soon should we plan the service?
There is no fixed deadline. We will help you choose a timeline that gives your family, including those traveling from far away, the time they need.
What if my loved one is already in the care of another funeral home?
You may still choose Rhone Funeral Home.
If your loved one has already been taken to another funeral home and you decide that you would prefer Rhone Funeral Home to handle the arrangements, simply contact us. Our staff can explain the process, obtain the necessary authorization, and work directly with the other funeral home to arrange the transfer into our care.
We understand that decisions made immediately following a death can sometimes happen quickly or during an overwhelming time. Choosing a funeral home is an important decision, and we want you to feel comfortable and confident with the funeral home caring for your family.
If you would like to transfer your loved one to Rhone Funeral Home, call us first. We will guide you through the process and take care of the details.
What if another funeral home is called by law enforcement or the Justice of the Peace, but I want to use Rhone Funeral Home?
You may still choose Rhone Funeral Home.
In certain circumstances, such as an unexpected or unattended death, law enforcement or the Justice of the Peace may contact a funeral home or removal service to transport your loved one. The funeral home making that initial removal does not automatically have to be the funeral home your family selects to handle the funeral, burial, or cremation arrangements.
If you want Rhone Funeral Home to serve your family, contact us as soon as possible. Once your loved one has been released by the appropriate authorities and the necessary authorization has been obtained, we can coordinate the transfer into our care.
You should not feel obligated to select a funeral home simply because they were contacted to make the initial removal. The person legally authorized to control the disposition of your loved one generally has the right to make decisions regarding their final arrangements.
If Rhone Funeral Home is your choice, call us. We will help you understand your options, coordinate the transfer, and guide your family through each step.
In the first hours after a loss, you do not have to have the answers. You only have to make one call. Rhone Funeral Home will be there to guide you, day or night, with patience and care. Call (903) 729-5001 and let us help carry you through what comes next.