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Where to Begin

Celebrating the Uniqueness of Life

Where to Begin

Planning a funeral can be overwhelming, but you are not alone in this. We’re here to support you throughout this journey and make this process one of love, healing, and life celebration. Below is some information to help you get started, but you can contact us at any time if you need help.

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Immediately

When a loved one dies at home or in a place that isn’t a healthcare facility, you’ll need to contact emergency personnel (911) before they can be taken into our care. If your loved one was under hospice care, you’ll need to contact them first.

If your loved one dies in a healthcare facility, they will notify the proper authorities, including the funeral home you have chosen to care for your loved one if they know that information.

This part of the process is often the most emotional, and we are here to help and support you. If you’re not sure what to do, call us any time.


Within the First 48 hours

You’ll want to notify close friends and relatives, both through personal phone calls as well as your loved one’s death notice. If this process is too painful for you, it’s absolutely okay to ask a trusted family member or friend to help you.

This also is the time to review any of your loved one’s preplanned funeral wishes and meet with a funeral director to begin planning their service. If your loved one did not preplan their funeral, you might want to start thinking about a few of the big choices you will need to make, such as:

  • Burial or cremation
  • If burial, the type of casket
  • If burial, the location of their final resting place in a grave or mausoleum
  • If cremation, the type of urn
  • If cremation, the location of their final resting place through burial or scattering
  • Any religious services you will need, such as clergy or spiritual leaders
  • The types of services you want, such as a viewing, service, graveside memorial, etc. 


These questions are just a starting point, and you don't need to know the answers right away. Don’t hesitate to contact us to gain a better understanding of your options. We're here to make this process easier for you.



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What to Expect When We Meet

When a death occurs in your family, you will be faced with important tasks and decision-making during a very difficult time. You may not know what to do or when to begin making arrangements. Bearing the responsibility can be overwhelming. Remember that you are not alone.

Johnson-Taylor Funeral and Cremation is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to assist you with the details and offer our guidance. We have compiled the following list to help guide you through the steps you will need to take when a death has occurred. Your funeral director will help coordinate all of the details when you meet for an arrangement conference.

  1. After a death has occurred, notify Johnson-Taylor Funeral and Cremation by calling 941-833-0600. The following are some questions that we may ask when you call:
    • What is the full name of the deceased?
    • What is the location of the deceased (Hospital, Nursing Facility or Residence)?
    • What is your name, address and telephone number?
    • What is the name, address and phone number of the next-of-kin?
    • Is there a pre-arranged funeral plan? (If yes, what is the plan name or number?)

    We will then set an appointment time for you to come to the funeral home to complete the details of the funeral arrangement. We will ask you to bring in some items and information that will be necessary to complete the arrangement. These items will include:

    • Clothing for the deceased
    • Social security number of the deceased
    • The deceased's birth date and city and state of birth
    • The deceased's parents names, including mother's maiden name
    • Information about the deceased's education
    • Marital status of the deceased
    • Veteran's discharge papers or Claim Number
    • A recent photograph of the deceased
    • Pre-arrangement paperwork (if applicable)
    • Cemetery lot information (if applicable)

  2. We will contact your clergy and help decide on a time and place for the funeral or memorial service (even if the services are not being held at the funeral home)
  3. Your Funeral Director will assist you in determining the number of copies of the death certificates that you will need and will order them for you.
  4. Make a list of family, friends and business colleagues, and notify each by phone. You may wish to use a "branching" system: make a few phone calls to other relatives or friends and ask each of them to make a phone call or two to specific people. We can also post the details on our website and Facebook too.
  5. Decide on an appropriate charity to which gifts may be made (church, hospice, library, organization, school).
  6. Gather obituary information, including a photo, age, place of birth, cause of death, occupation, college degrees, memberships held, military service, outstanding work and a list of survivors in the immediate family. Include the time and place of the funeral. services. The funeral home will write the obituary and submit it to the newspaper(s)
  7. Arrange for child care, if necessary.
  8. Prepare a list of people to receive acknowledgments of flowers, calls, etc. Send appropriate acknowledgments, which may be a written note, printed acknowledgments, or both. Include "Thank You" notes to those who have given their time, as well
  9. Notify insurance companies of the death.
  10. Locate the will and notify the lawyer and executor.
  11. Carefully check all life and casualty insurance and death benefits, including Social Security, credit union, trade union, fraternal, and military. Check on possible income for survivors from these sources.
  12. Check promptly on all debts and installment payments, including credit cards. Some may carry insurance clauses that will cancel them. If there is to be a delay in meeting. payments, consult with creditors and ask for more time before the payments are due
  13. If the deceased was living alone, notify the utility companies and landlord and tell the post office where to send the mail.
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Johnson-Taylor Funeral & Cremation
Phone: (941) 833-0600
1515 Tamiami Trl, Punta Gorda, FL 33950

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Crafted with care by Frazer Consultants & TA

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