Choosing a cemetery is a monumental decision, particularly when grief is overwhelming and time is short. We’ve prepared a list of several important factors to weigh when deciding on a final resting place for your loved one:

• In what kind of environment do you and your family want to visit your loved one?
• Does he or she want to be buried near other family members or in a special place?
• How will the cemetery be maintained in years to come?
• What memorial options are available at various cemeteries?
• What’s the ease of access for visits from family and friends?
• Is there potential for loved ones to be buried nearby in the future?

This list is by no means comprehensive; we invite you to visit our botanical gardens cemetery and discuss the many options we offer. We’ve designed Seven Stones from the start to grow more beautiful with time, using native plants that will change with the seasons. Seven Stones features hills, trees, water, art, lights and sound to create a tranquil, uplifting setting where families can rest, reflect, remember and celebrate the life of their loved one. We’re here for you at any time. Even if you decide we’re not the right cemetery for your loved one, we’re happy to help!

WHEN DEATH OCCURS AT HOME

Whether you received a 2 a.m. phone call with news of an unexpected death or shared your loved one’s final moments after a long illness, your initial reaction to the death may likely be shock. It doesn’t seem to matter how prepared we are – or aren’t – a loved one’s death often leaves us feeling numb and bewildered. If you’re responsible for making the funeral arrangements or executing the will, shock and grief can be immobilizing. Even simple decisions can be overwhelming. Seven Stones Chatfield’s highly experienced staff are available to help you make key decisions, both now and for the future.

If you have experienced the loss of a loved one, we offer our sincere condolences and are here to help you. Dealing with loss can be overwhelming, but we can guide you through the process. To find out what to do next, please read below or contact us at 303-717-7117.

WHO TO CALL FIRST
If the death has been expected, the physician caring for the deceased will be able to pronounce the death; this is the person you should first contact. You can then call the funeral home of your choice to remove the body and follow the personal wishes of the deceased. If the deceased was under hospice care, you may call them and they will assist you. If the death is unexpected, the police should be notified. They will in turn dispatch an officer and contact a local coroner or medical examiner, who will then decide the level of investigation necessary to determine the cause of death. They will arrange to have the body transferred to either a hospital or examination center if an autopsy is required (at their cost). You may suggest to the coroner or medical examiner the funeral home of your choice to make this transfer; however, if you do not or they choose a funeral home, you are under no obligation to use the funeral home they choose. Once the body has been transferred and the examination complete, you have the right to choose the funeral home you wish to carry out the deceased’s final wishes. If after a preliminary examination and investigation it is determined that no further inquiry is necessary, you may then call the funeral home of your choice to remove the body and carry out the deceased’s final wishes.

WHEN DEATH OCCURS AWAY FROM HOME

If a death occurred away from home, you should first contact a local funeral home or call us here at Seven Stones. We will make contact with a reputable firm in the area where the death occurred.

This action will avoid any possibility of becoming involved with a funeral home outside of your residential area that may care little about matters because they feel they will never deal with the family again. When calling Seven Stones, we can act as your agent, monitoring and avoiding any possibility of excessive or unnecessary billing or double-billing.

You might also want to contact the local police department, and they will dispatch an officer to your location immediately so you will not be alone. If the death was sudden and unexplained, the local police will make the necessary call to the local coroner to attend to the place of death. A county medical examiner or coroner may be called.

If you have not called your funeral director, you will have to consider doing so as the body will have to be removed by them or an authorized agent. Seven Stones can refer you to a reputable funeral director in your area.

WHEN DEATH OCCURS IN A CARE FACILITY

If a death occurred away from home, you should first contact a local funeral home or call us here at Seven Stones. We will make contact with a reputable firm in the area where the death occurred.

This action will avoid any possibility of becoming involved with a funeral home outside of your residential area that may care little about matters because they feel they will never deal with the family again. When calling Seven Stones, we can act as your agent, monitoring and avoiding any possibility of excessive or unnecessary billing or double-billing.

You might also want to contact the local police department, and they will dispatch an officer to your location immediately so you will not be alone. If the death was sudden and unexplained, the local police will make the necessary call to the local coroner to attend to the place of death. A county medical examiner or coroner may be called.

If you have not called your funeral director, you will have to consider doing so as the body will have to be removed by them or an authorized agent. Seven Stones can refer you to a reputable funeral director in your area.

The first hours after the death of a loved one are extremely difficult. At the same time, there are important tasks to complete. Within the first 24 hours, you will need to meet with a funeral home to begin the final arrangements. While this is a tumultuous time, the funeral home staff is there to help and guide you in making decisions. They will know the questions to ask to make sure all details are taken care of, so you can feel reassured knowing that you don’t need to have all the answers before you arrive.

If your loved one has pre-planned a funeral or burial, this is the time to review his or her wishes. Ideally, he or she also will have gathered the necessary paperwork. A death is a legal matter that requires certain documents. We’ve prepared the list below to help you gather the types of forms you will need.

FOR THE FUNERAL HOME

• Cemetery Arrangement Information, Including Pre-planning Documents (if there are any)
• Life Insurance Policies
• Beneficiary Designations
• Last Will and Testament and any Codicils
• Revocable Living Trust

FOR GOVERNMENT AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

• Death Certificate
• Account Statements of the Deceased
• Deeds for Real Estate
• Automobile and Boat Titles
• Stock and Bond Certificates
• Pre-nuptial Agreements
• Post-nuptial Agreements
• Loans
• Leases
• Copies of Bills (utility, cell phone, etc.)
• Tax Returns

If you’d like to talk about end-of-life arrangements, we’re happy to help at Seven Stones. And if we can’t provide the services you need, we can refer you to one of our trusted partners. Please call, email or visit and let us know how we can help!

The number of decisions that must be made immediately after a death is overwhelming. And in the midst of grief, it can be exhausting. Ideally, your loved one will have pre-planned his or her funeral and burial or cremation; but in the absence of plans, we’ve prepared a checklist to help you collect your thoughts and to share with other family members who might be helping with arrangements.

Our list is by no means comprehensive—funeral services and memorials are personal and diverse. We would be happy to meet with you to discuss your options. Just call us at 303-717-7117 at any time—we’re here for you!

• • Are you seeking burial or cremation for your loved one?
  • If you’re seeking cremation, would you like the ashes to be put in a mausoleum or buried? If buried, would you like a traditional urn or a biodegradable urn?
  • If you’re seeking burial, would you like a casket burial, a green burial or a mausoleum?
  • What kind of memorial would you like for your loved one?
  • Which cemetery do you prefer? 
  • Is there a particular location within a cemetery that you desire for your loved one?
  • Where would you like to hold the funeral service?
  • Would you like to have the casket or urn present at the funeral service?
  • Would you like to host a viewing or wake? If so, where would you like it to be held, and what should the tone be—somber? Upbeat? Formal? Casual?
  • Would you like to have a reception after the ceremonies? If so, what does that look like?
  • Would you like to have a graveside service?
  • Do you have or need pallbearers for the service?
  • Would you like to choose the music and readings for the funeral service?
  • Are there personal items that you’d like to display at the funeral service?
  • Which photos would you like to have displayed at the funeral service? And which photo would you like to use for the announcement?
  • Are there special flowers that you’d prefer at your loved one’s service?
  • Will the family need transportation between the funeral home and the cemetery?
  • Who would you like to officiate at the ceremonies?
  • Would you like someone to deliver a eulogy?
  • Who should be notified after the death of your loved one?
  • Are there organizations or charities that you’d like friends and family to donate to in honor of your loved one?
  • How would you like the obituary to read?

  The National Funeral Directors Association has created a list of ways to personalize a service. And the Federal Trade Commission offers guidance on how to be an informed consumer when planning a funeral and choosing a cemetery. We’ve also prepared a list of paperwork to gather in advance to help your loved ones when meeting with a funeral director.

At Seven Stones, we can walk you through the process and help you with all of these decisions—even if you decide we’re not the right cemetery for you. So please don’t hesitate to give us a call!

303.717.7117
Seven Stones Chatfield
9635 North Rampart Range Road
Littleton, CO 80125
info@DiscoverSevenStones.com

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View Our Complete Planning & Bereavement Guide Online or Come Visit for a printed copy.