The House Call

If a house call is involved, the car should be parked in front of the home of the deceased, rather than a few houses away, to avoid offending the neighbors. The driver or assistant should remain in the car until the man in charge has completed his conference with the family and set the stage for the removal of the body.

Hats should always be left in the car, and rubbers or overshoes removed at the door. However, overcoats are not removed, except in cases where they will be a handicap during the carrying of the deceased down a narrow stairway or from some other awkward place.

The man in charge should introduce himself at the door and request permission to enter. It is not in good taste to use such customary greetings as "good evening," for this is a good evening for the bereaved relatives.

Unless introduced by the person who answers the door, the funeral director should introduce himself to the others present and then seat them and himself and acquire the necessary information. Here, again, it is suggested that the information requested be kept at a minimum, the detailed data being obtained later during the conference at the funeral home. At this time the relatives will be more composed.

It is always wise, whenever possible, to select the least emotionally involved person particularly a distant relative, a neighbor, or a nurse to serve as a liasion between the funeral director and the family. The deceased should be referred to at all times by name.

Basic information to be obtained at this time would include the following. There will, however, be many variations, depending upon the individual situation and local custom.

1. Full name of the deceased, correctly spelled. 2. Time and place of death.
3. Veteran? Of what war?
4. Marital status and survivors
5. Usual place of residence
6. Tentative time and place of the service
7. Doctor's name and address
8. Date and place of birth
9. Church and lodge affiliations
10. Persons to be notified by the funeral director

It is particularly important that the name and address of the attending physician be obtained at this time. In most cases a physician will have been in attendance and will have certified the occurrence of death. In case there has been no physician in charge, or if the attending physician has not seen the patient for several weeks or months, as may be true in chronic conditions, the funeral director must delay any action until he finds someone who can and will legally vouch for the cause of death.

Should there be any evidence of unusual or suspicious circumstances, the coroner or other proper authority should be notified without delay.

At this time arrangements should be made for the conference to select funeral merchandise and complete the funeral arrangements. An offer should be made to send a car to bring the family to the funeral home for this conference. The family should also be informed regarding the clothing to be brought to the funeral home for use by the deceased. All instructions and arrangements should be definite and positive. Uncertainty and confusion are a mark of inefficiency on the part of the mortician.

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