At the time of death, the doctor will declare the person dead and make out a death certificate. If the deceased was a potential organ donor make sure the doctor or hospital is aware of this. If the deceased arranged to donate his body, contact the institution that will receive the body immediately as the institution will arrange for removal of the body by a funeral home that they have selected.

Otherwise, be prepared to provide the name of the funeral home you wish to use. The deceased may have chosen one from our list of participating funeral directors, if not select one. The funeral director may have a copy of deceased's pre-planning forms. If the funeral home does not have a copy of the arrangements or if a different funeral home should be called, the deceased should have a copy of the pre-planning form, at his/her home or on file with a relative, doctor, lawyer, close friend, or with the Funeral Consumers Alliance of L.I./NYC.

Your religious leader or appropriate committee should be contacted to assist the family, and to arrange the type of memorial or funeral service desired, if this is to be done at the time that the deceased is buried or cremated.

Here is a list of some of the other things that need to be done:

• Decide on time and place of funeral or memorial service if one is to be held at this time. Remember that this service can be held at a later date allowing more time for planning and, perhaps, at a cost saving.

• Make a list of immediate family, close friends, employer and business colleagues. Notify each by telephone.

• If flowers are to be omitted, decide on an appropriate memorial to which gifts may be made (religious, charity, hospital, library, school, etc.)

• Write the obituary: Include age, place of birth, cause of death, occupation, degrees, memberships held, military service, outstanding work, and a list of surviving immediate family. Give time and place of services. Telephone or deliver to newspaper.

• Select pall bearers and notify. Avoid persons with heart and back problems or make them honorary pall bearers.

• Notify lawyer and executor.

• Notify insurance companies. Check carefully all life and casualty insurance for death benefits, including Social Security (which pays up to $255 to a surviving spouse who was living with the deceased at time of death) credit unions, trade unions, fraternal, military, etc. Check income for survivors from these sources.

• If the deceased is a veteran, check with the Veterans Administration for death related benefits.