Call us at: 570-339-4083

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Compassionate Support After Loss
At 1st Care Palliative and Hospice, our care continues beyond the final days of hospice. We recognize that each person’s grief is unique. Our grief support team provides compassionate guidance for families as they adjust to life after loss, with access to emotional support, information, and space to remember.

We offer grief support, including outreach from our team, access to group support, and invitations to special memorial events.

What Grief Support Includes

Our approach is personal, thoughtful, and grounded in compassion. Grief support may include:

  • Monthly newsletters with coping tools and encouragement
  • Periodic check-in calls from our team
  • Printed materials on common experiences during grief
  • Tips to navigate loss in your own way and at your own pace
  • Referrals to community groups or therapists upon request

Each person receives an individualized plan based on their needs and preferences.

Grief Support Groups

Our grief support groups create a safe space for people to share stories, reflect, and connect with others who understand. These sessions may be virtual or in person, depending on interest and availability.

  • Open to the community: Family members, friends, or anyone coping with a recent loss

  • Format: Gentle discussions, music, reflection activities

  • Led by: Trained grief support staff or facilitators

Please contact us to learn more or to register for the next available session.

After-Death Checklist

Managing Important Tasks After a Loved One Passes

Losing someone close brings emotional weight, and often, a long list of practical matters that need attention. From organizing a funeral to updating records and notifying agencies, the days and weeks after a loss can feel overwhelming.

During this time, it helps to rely on others—family, friends, or trusted advisors, who can assist with responsibilities or share the load. This checklist provides a helpful overview of what to prioritize soon after a loved one’s passing.

Immediate Tasks
  • Notify Family and Close Friends
    Reach out personally or ask others to help inform extended family and close friends.
  • Obtain a Legal Pronouncement of Death
    This is required to begin legal arrangements. In a hospital or care setting, staff typically assist with this process.
  • Decide on Funeral or Memorial Preferences
    Consider the person’s wishes, any pre-arrangements, and the family’s cultural or spiritual traditions.
  • Make Final Funeral Arrangements
    Work with a funeral home to set dates, coordinate services, and handle transportation if needed.
Securing Property and Personal Matters
  • Lock and Secure the Home
    Ensure windows and doors are locked, and valuables are protected.
  • Arrange for Pet Care
    Coordinate temporary or long-term care for any pets left behind.
  • Forward Mail
    Contact the U.S. Postal Service to forward mail to the executor or next of kin.
  • Notify the Employer
    Inform the person’s employer, if applicable, and ask about any remaining pay, benefits, or life insurance.
Documents and Legal Steps
  • Request Death Certificates
    You’ll need multiple copies for banks, insurance, and government offices.
  • Locate the Will and Identify the Executor
    If there is a will, the named executor will handle legal matters.
  • Contact a Probate Attorney or Trust Administrator
    If needed, seek legal help to settle the estate or transfer assets.
  • Meet with a CPA or Tax Professional
    Discuss final tax filings or other financial questions.
  • File the Will for Probate
    Submit the will to your local court to begin the legal process, if required.
Financial and Household Affairs
  • Make an Inventory of Assets
    Include bank accounts, vehicles, retirement funds, property, and other valuables.
  • Compile a List of Ongoing Bills
    Monitor utilities, loans, subscriptions, or other recurring charges.
  • Cancel Unnecessary Services
    This may include phone plans, streaming services, gym memberships, etc.
  • Cancel Driver’s License
    Contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.
  • Close Credit Card Accounts
    Inform each card issuer and request account closure after all charges are settled.
  • Contact Life Insurance Providers
    File claims using policy information and a death certificate.
  • Notify Financial Institutions
    Reach out to banks and investment firms to begin account closure or transfer, depending on the beneficiary structure.
  • Alert Financial Advisors or Brokers
    Beneficiaries may need to complete forms to access inherited accounts.
Government and Identity Protection
  • Contact the Social Security Administration
    If the individual received Social Security benefits, notify SSA to stop payments. Survivors may also qualify for benefits. In many cases, funeral homes assist with this step.
  • Notify Medicare and Medicaid (if applicable)
    SSA typically informs these programs, but verifies to ensure records are updated.
  • Alert Credit Reporting Agencies
    To reduce the risk of identity theft, send a copy of the death certificate to:

    • Equifax
    • Experian
    • TransUnion
Self-Care During Grief
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed or unsure of what to do next. Some helpful reminders:

  • There’s no “right” timeline for grieving
  • Take breaks and rest when possible
  • Accept help from friends or neighbors
  • Consider journaling or quiet activities
  • Let yourself feel what you feel—there’s no need to hide it

If you need someone to talk to, we are here to listen.

Additional Grief Support Resources

Local Support

Online Support

  • Grief.com
  • Open to Hope
  • National Alliance for Grieving Children
  • Sesame Street in Communities

Grief Support Contact

If you or a loved one would like to access our grief support offerings, please contact our support team directly. No referral is required, and there is no cost to participate.

>Phone: 570-339-4083
>Email: info@caregroup.us

You’re Not Alone in This

Grief is deeply personal, and every experience is different. Our team is here with compassion, resources, and space to honor what matters most—your memories, your loved one, and your path forward.