Bozho (Hello),

Over the years, I have had surviving members of a deceased Veteran ask me what they need to do. Well, I felt it was time I shared some of this information for the grieving families. Start with a checklist:

What, if any, type of services would you like?

  • A funeral at a church or funeral home.
  • A funeral at a gravesite.
  • A memorial service at an outdoor site.
  • A memorial service at a home.

Which, if any, of these additional events would you like to have?

  • A wake.
  • A viewing.
  • A visitation.
  • Particular religious events.

Would you prefer to be buried or cremated?

  • If buried, what sort of casket would you like?
  • If cremated, what sort of urn would you like?

ls there a particular location you would like the services to be held?

Who would you like to officiate the memorial?

Who would you like to have as pallbearers?

Who do you want to deliver eulogies?

Are there any charitable donations you would like to make instead of flowers?

Are there any organizations you want to notify?

If the passing occurred outside of a hospital or hospice, immediately notify the authorities.

Notify family and friends.

You may wish to notify social media.

Collect any relevant information for creating the death certificate and obituary, including name, Social Security number, date of birth, date of death and remaining family.

Locate the executor of the will and also provide the reading of the will for those concerned.

Determine what will happen with the affairs of the person who passed away. This includes:

  • Contacting the landlord or mortgage issuer.
  • Checking in on any open bank accounts.
  • Canceling credit cards.
  • Calling utility companies to inform them that service is no longer needed.

I hope this information will help those facing this challenge.

Remember our monthly meeting of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Veterans Organization is the 4th Tuesday of each month, March 28 (unless otherwise notified due to weather or conflicting events) at 6 p.m. (or as soon as you can get there) in the North Reunion Hall on the CPN Powwow Grounds.

All CPN Veterans and spouses and their families are welcome. Membership in the Veterans organization is not required; come and visit us and enjoy our socializing. For more information, you can contact Daryl Talbot.

Migwetch (Thank you),

Daryl Talbot, Commander
daryl.talbot75@outlook.com
405-275-1054