The unexpected death of a loved one is always devastating. But when their passing occurs out of town, it becomes more complicated. When transporting your loved one home to say your final goodbyes, there are a few necessary steps to take. The professionals at Adzima Funeral Home in Stratford, CT, want to help make the process as simple as possible. Below, the funeral home offers some crucial advice.

Upon notification of death, they say you should take the following three steps:

• Contact the Funeral Home: The first thing you need to do is contact your local funeral home. The transportation of human remains requires specific care and must follow certain regulations, so there's little that you can do on your own. A funeral director will be experienced with the appropriate process and will efficiently handle all interactions that need to take place.

• Determine Preparation of Remains: While the funeral home will handle the details of the transportation, you will need to determine how the remains should be prepared before relocation occurs. If cremation is the desired choice, you or the funeral director will need to contact a secondary funeral home in the other location to make arrangements and provide payment. Burial in your hometown will require embalming at the out-of-town funeral home, and you may also want to purchase the desired casket from them to avoid buying an additional one for shipment.

• Gather Documentation: You will also need to gather the appropriate documentation. A copy of the death certificate is needed for things like life insurance and probate court, so request one from the care facility or hospital where they passed away. You may also need their birth certificate, which can be obtained from the health department in the county where they were born, as well as their last will and testament from their attorney.

When the death of a loved one occurs out of town, turn to the compassionate staff at Adzima Funeral Home for assistance. They will take over the responsibility of arranging transportation and allow you to grieve without the weight of additional stress. For over 100 years, the family-owned and -operated funeral home has built a reputation for honest and respectful service in the Stratford community. To learn more about their services, visit them online or call (203) 375-2200 today.