FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

In the best of circumstances, death is traumatic for family members.  Your “DOCUMENT CHECKLIST” (attachment 1) will help take care of settling financial and other matters after the death of a family member, but it is important to plan for funeral arrangements as well.

For members of the Pearl City Hongwanji Mission, a summary of the Funeral Procedure Guideline has been created to help you through this difficult time.  This is intended to be ONLY a guideline for family members.  The Minister and Temple Welfare Committee will answer any questions you may have and provide you with more details.

PEARL CITY HONGWANJI MISSION

FUNERAL PROCEDURE GUIDELINES

(Summary of Guidelines Only)

IF A DEATH OCCURS, NOTIFY:

A.  Doctor or proper authorities as soon as possible.

B.  Temple – Minister 455-1680

1.  Identify deceased and your relationship to deceased.

2.  Give location of deceased and your home or cell phone number.

3.  The Minister of Welfare Committee will contact the family, if requested, to assist in making funeral arrangements.

C.  Mortuary – Minister will provide assistance in contacting a Mortuary.

1.  If death occurs in a Hospital or Nursing Home, someone will be available to assist in contacting a Mortuary.

D.  Relatives, Close Friends, and others.

1.  These individuals should be notified immediately so that arrangements can be made for the pillow/bedside service (MAKURA-GYO) and funeral arrangements.  The MAKURA-GYO is a service that is traditionally performed immediately following death.  This service may take place at the bedside or in a immediate area.  If this is not convenient because of time or location of family members, the Minister may arrange for a more convenient time and perform the service at the mortuary.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

A.  Meeting with family, Minister, and Temple Welfare Committee should be made at a mutually convenient time and place if the family requests Temple assistance.

1.  Date and time of funeral/memorial service should be set at this time.

2.  Family should notify Mortuary as to date and time of service if not already completed.

3.  Funeral/memorial service program is set by family and Minister, and Welfare Committee if requested by family.

4.  Guest book provided by Mortuary.

B.  Funeral or Memorial Service Program (Proof-read VERY carefully).

OREI or GRATUITIES

A.  Welfare Committee has a schedule with appropriate amounts to the Pearl City Hongwanji Mission for use of Resident Minister, is available if requested.

B.  Gratuity to Minister is optional.  Contact Welfare Committee if there are any questions.

TEMPLE ASSISTANCE

A.  Master of Ceremony for Funeral/Memorial Service

B.  Reception Table (Choba Table)

C.  Oshoko (Incense offering) by Pearl City Hongwanji

D.  Condolence Message from Pearl City Hongwanji Kyodan

IMPORTANT FORMS/DOCUMENTS

Contacts

Funeral Information

Document Checklist

Certificate of death (Mortuary will handle).  This will be needed for:

Closing/transferring bank and broker accounts

Credit card company(ies), automatic payment plans

Estate transfer of title (Auto, Stocks, Home, etc.)

Life, Health, and other insurances

Internal Revenue Service

Social Security Administration

SOCIAL SECURITY

Visit www.socialsecurity.gov or call 1-800-772-1213 for more information on social security benefits if deceased has a surviving spouse. 

OTHER IMPORTANT ITEMS

Check VERY CAREFULLY all information provided to the Mortuary, since it is difficult to make corrections after Death Notice is submitted to the Office of Vital Statistics.