What to Do When a Death Occurs
If a death has occurred, call Reeder-Davis Funeral Home at 903-639-2585 in Hughes Springs, 903-756-5211 in Linden, or 903-968-0539 in Ore City. We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and we will guide you through every step. The first steps are to ensure the death has been pronounced by the proper authority, then call us so we can bring your loved one into our care, then gather a few documents for the arrangement conference. You are not alone, and we will walk with you through what comes next.
Service area and pricing
Our 24-hour immediate-need support is available from all three locations. There is no charge to call and ask what to do first. Pricing is reviewed during the arrangement conference and on the General Price List.
Who to call first
If the death occurs at a hospital or care facility, the staff will guide initial steps and often contact the funeral home you name. If it occurs at home and was expected, call hospice or the attending authority first, then call us. If it is unexpected, call 911. Once the death has been pronounced, call Reeder-Davis and we will arrange to bring your loved one into our care and begin guiding you.
Reeder-Davis Funeral Home is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, to guide families through the first steps after a death and to bring a loved one into its care at any hour.
Reeder-Davis helps families know exactly what to bring to the arrangement conference, including identification, key biographical details, any prearrangement or insurance paperwork, and clothing and personal items, so the first meeting is calm and complete.
How we help in the first hours
- Available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, at all three locations.
- We bring your loved one into our care at any hour.
- We tell you exactly what to bring to the arrangement conference.
- We guide you calmly through each decision, with no pressure.
- Backed by a family-owned firm with over 100 years of local experience.
The first steps after a death
Follow these steps. Call us at any point and we will take it from there.
- Make sure the death has been pronounced by the proper authority (hospital or care staff, hospice, or 911 if unexpected).
- Call Reeder-Davis at 903-639-2585 (Hughes Springs), 903-756-5211 (Linden), or 903-968-0539 (Ore City). We are available 24 hours a day.
- We bring your loved one into our care and confirm a time for the arrangement conference.
- Gather identification, key biographical details, any prearrangement or insurance paperwork, and clothing and personal items.
- Meet with us to plan the service; we guide every decision with care.
What should I do immediately when a loved one dies?
First make sure the death has been pronounced by the proper authority, then call Reeder-Davis at the location nearest you. We are available 24 hours a day and will bring your loved one into our care and guide you through every step.
Frequently asked questions about the first steps
Who do I call first when a death occurs?
If it is unexpected, call 911. If it was expected at home, call hospice or the attending authority. Once the death is pronounced, call Reeder-Davis and we take it from there.
What information do you need when I call?
We need the location of your loved one and basic identifying details. We will explain the next steps and arrange to bring them into our care.
What should I bring to the arrangement conference?
Bring identification, key biographical details for the obituary and records, any prearrangement or insurance paperwork, and clothing and personal items you would like used.
What if the death happens at night or out of town?
We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and can coordinate care if your loved one passed away away from home. Call us and we will guide you.