Helpful Guidance When You Need It Most
When someone you love passes away, it can be difficult to know what to do first, what information you will need or what to expect in the days ahead. You do not have to find every answer on your own.
The Shawgo family has gathered these resources to provide clear, compassionate guidance before, during and after a funeral. If a death has occurred or you are unsure about the next step, call Shawgo Memorial Home at (309) 329-2125. We are available to answer your questions and help you begin.
When a Death Occurs
The first steps following a death may depend on where and how it occurred. If your loved one was receiving care through a hospital, nursing facility or hospice program, the care team will generally help notify the appropriate people. If a death occurs unexpectedly or at home without hospice care, contact emergency services.
Once the appropriate medical professional has been notified, call Shawgo Memorial Home. We will explain what happens next, coordinate the transfer into our care and help your family move forward one step at a time.
You do not need to choose a service or make every arrangement before calling us. That conversation can come later, when your family is ready.
What to Bring to the Arrangement Meeting
During the arrangement meeting, we will gather information needed for the death certificate, obituary and funeral or memorial service. Many of these details may already be known by your family, so do not feel that you must locate every document before meeting with us.
When available, it may be helpful to bring:
- Your loved one’s full legal name and Social Security number
- Date and place of birth
- Parents’ names, including the mother’s maiden name
- Marriage and immediate family information
- Education, occupation and employment history
- Veteran discharge papers, if applicable
- Cemetery or pre-planning documents
- Life insurance or funeral funding information
- A photograph to accompany the obituary
- Clothing for your loved one
- Notes about music, readings, participants or service preferences
- Information about organizations, churches, clubs or causes that were important to your loved one
If something is missing, we will help you determine whether it is needed and how it may be obtained. The purpose of this meeting is not to test how prepared you are. It is to give our family the information we need to support yours.
Funeral Etiquette
Knowing What to Say and Do
Many people worry about saying the wrong thing, choosing appropriate clothing or understanding what is expected at a visitation, funeral or memorial service. In most cases, your quiet presence and willingness to support the family matter far more than finding perfect words.
Our Funeral Etiquette resource answers common questions about attending a service, expressing sympathy, bringing children, sending flowers or memorial gifts and supporting a grieving family after the funeral.
Coping with Loss
Support for the Days Ahead
Grief is personal, and there is no single schedule or correct way to experience it. Some people want to talk openly about their loss, while others need quiet, privacy or time before they are ready to connect.
Our Coping With Loss resource offers gentle guidance for navigating grief, supporting children and family members, helping someone who is grieving and recognizing when additional support may be helpful.
You do not have to carry grief alone. Support may come from family, friends, a faith community, a grief support group or a qualified counselor.
Planning a Meaningful Service
A funeral or memorial service can reflect the personality, values, relationships and traditions that made a person’s life unique. As you begin planning, you may want to consider favorite music, meaningful readings, photographs, stories, hobbies or family traditions.
The Shawgo family will help you understand the available options and find personal ways to honor your loved one. You do not need to arrive with every detail decided.
Benefits and Administrative Information
In addition to planning the service, families may need to notify government agencies, request benefits or gather important records.
Social Security Benefits
Certain spouses, children or other family members may qualify for Social Security survivor benefits. Visit the Social Security Administration for current information about eligibility, documentation and how to apply.
Visit the Social Security Administration
Veterans Benefits
Eligible veterans may receive military funeral honors, a burial flag, a government headstone or marker and certain burial benefits. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides current information about eligibility and applications.
Please bring veteran discharge papers to the arrangement meeting when they are available. We can help your family understand the funeral honors and documentation that may apply.
Explore Veterans Burial Benefits
Questions Are Always Welcome
Online resources can provide helpful information, but they cannot anticipate every family’s circumstances. If you have questions, need immediate assistance or simply want someone to explain what comes next, please call us.
For four generations, the Shawgo family has helped local families navigate these difficult moments with compassion, patience and personal care.