How to Cope With the Planning of a Loved One’s Funeral

Grief and sorrow can be paralyzing after learning of a loved one’s death.  It is never easy when a person close to you has passed away.  On top of dealing with the angst and pain of losing someone that was an intimate part of your life, you have the responsibility of planning their funeral. 

In these circumstances, it is advised to seek out (and let in) as much help and support needed to avoid becoming overwhelmed with anxiety and grief.  A funeral should be a beautiful ceremony that honors your loved one’s life and recognizes the impact they had on our world. With the right coping mechanisms and support system, stress can be minimized in the funeral planning process. 

Continue reading to learn some helpful tips for coping with grief while planning your loved one’s funeral, as well as how to bring about a wrongful death claim if your loved one lost their lives because of another’s negligence.

Wrongful Death Lawyer Indianapolis Indiana 317-881-2700
Wrongful Death Lawyers Indianapolis Indiana 317-881-2700

Managing Family and Friends

After losing someone, you may feel like you want to hide away and be alone.  The only people it seems you can talk to are the ones closest in your life.  When you have to plan a funeral, this is just not possible.  You must gather up the strength to make and take phone calls, receive people’s condolences, make funeral arrangements, and inform every one of funeral details.  This can all appear exhausting to someone grieving over the loss of a loved one. 

Here are ways to cope through these challenging circumstances:

Begin by contacting the people closest to the person who has passed away.  Be sure to remember that they will also need a chance to express their grief, just as you do.  Although you are still feeling overwhelmed with sadness, try to be there for close family and friends for reciprocal support.

Next, decide on whether the funeral will be small or large.  This all depends on the person’s final wishes, and the funeral budget.  Determine what they would have wanted, but do not stress over the details.  The most important part of the funeral is honoring the person and remembering them, not what color the flowers are and when the reception food will be ready. 

In most cases, you can simply hire a funeral director to handle the small details for you, while you take charge of arranging the dates and attendance list.  Sharing some of the responsibilities with other loved ones is also recommended.

Wrongful Death Claims

If your loved one lost their life because someone else was negligent or careless, the deceased’s dependents and possibly other family members could be entitled to a settlement. Contact a licensed Indiana wrongful death lawyer to learn your eligibility for recovering compensation for damages such as medical expenses, hospital bills, lost wages, loss of social security, disability or employment benefits, pain, suffering, loss of consortium, loss of companionship, and more.

Was your loved one wrongly killed in an accident in Indiana? Contact the Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for wrongful death personal injury representation in Indianapolis, Indiana. We represent clients all throughout the state.

You Should Also Read:

Facts About Indiana Wrongful Death Court Procedures
Do You Suspect Neglect at Your Loved One’s Nursing Home?
What are Future Damages in a Wrongful Death Case?

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Frequently Asked Questions About Wrongful Death Claims

Each state has a separate set of laws that oversee wrongful deaths cases. Indiana defines wrongful death in IC 34-23-1-1, which states in part, “When the death of one is caused by the wrongful act or omission of another (…).” In plainest terms, it is a personal injury case in which the injured victim dies. In the case that a person or corporation causes an accident that results in another’s death, they can be held legally responsible in a court of law for the subsequent damages and losses suffered by the victim’s relatives. 

Understanding wrongful death claims can be tricky since every case differs in great detail. Furthermore, there are various complex laws surrounding such claims, making it even more challenging to comprehend your rights to compensation. If you or anyone you know has been involved in an accident that resulted in the death of another person, it is vital that you consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer who specializes in wrongful death cases to learn the best strategies for your claim.

For a better understanding of what to expect, continue below to review some of the most frequently asked questions about wrongful death cases in Indiana.

Wrongful Death Attorney 317-881-2700
Wrongful Death Attorney 317-881-2700

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim?

The person who makes the wrongful death claim is usually the victim’s estate representative. If they were married, it would likely be their spouse; if they had no spouse, but children, it could be them. Typically, it is the person who retains ownership of the property or is listed in the will. If there is no family or pre-appointed representative for the estate, there may be no one to file suit and handle their wrongful death case. Although the claim must be brought forward by an estate representative, the awarded damages may be allocated to other members of the family, including dependents.

How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim?

In Indiana, a person usually has 2 years from the date of the accident to make a claim against the wrongdoer, although their can be earlier deadlines for governmental entities. See our blog, “Can a Personal Injury Statute of Limitations Be Extended?” to learn about statute of limitations deadlines, extensions, and more. If you believe you have missed your deadline to make a wrongful death claim, contact an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer for details regarding your options.

What Types of Damages are Awarded in Wrongful Death Settlements?

Civil damages are awarded in wrongful death settlements, which serve the sole purpose of compensating surviving relatives and members of the estate for all of the related losses resulted from the death of the victim. Indiana allows spouses and children to recover damages for funeral and burial expenses, medical expenses, hospital bills, lost wages, lost benefits provided by the deceased, counseling costs, legal costs, and more.

Do I Need to Hire a Wrongful Death Lawyer?

Wrongful death claims are incredibly complex, and the laws and procedures surrounding them are as well. In order to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve, you will need an experienced personal injury attorney who is well-versed and experienced in wrongful death cases representing your claim from start to finish. They have the knowledge, skills, and resources to accurately navigate your claim and argue your case if it goes to trial.

 How Do I Make a Wrongful Death Claim in Indianapolis?

Contact the Law Firm of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to learn more about your wrongful death claim in Indianapolis, Indiana and throughout the State of Indiana. Our seasoned personal injury lawyers are eager to help all victims of wrongful deaths in the family to recover compensation for their medical expenses, hospital bills, lost wages, and more. We offer free initial consultations and work on a contingency-fee basis, which means you do not pay a dime unless we win a settlement for you. Call today to get started.

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700
Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Common Types of Wrongful Death Lawsuits

Wrongful Death Attorneys 317-881-2700

Wrongful Death Attorneys 317-881-2700

When a person is killed or dies as a result of another individual or entity’s negligence, it is called termed a wrongful death. There are infinite ways a person or family can become a victim of a wrongful death. In the case of a wrongful death, the immediate family would receive any monetary penalties, debts, or benefits following the incident. Continue reading to learn more about the different cases of wrongful deaths and what to do in the case of such tragedy.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice is one of the most common cases of negligent deaths. This often occurs for many reasons, including improper medication, incorrect diagnosis, surgical errors, unintentional doctor error, and more. It is commonly the hospitals, doctors, anesthesiologist, medical boards, and more that are held accountable for medical malpractice cases.

Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk driving is the most common cause of wrongful death accidents. In addition to driving under the influence, distracted driving is another common cause of negligent deaths on the road. Failure to obey traffic signals, ignoring traffic signs, texting and driving, eating and driving, dealing with children and driving, intoxicated driving, and more are examples of distracted driving.

Product Defects

Manufacturer defects in products sold on the market can be another cause of negligent death. When automotive parts, children toys, and food are commonly recalled for defective issues that can cause harm or death to an individual and even pet.

Workplace Accidents

Accidents that result in death within the workplace are another common cause of such cases. Scaffolding accidents, falling from great heights, construction equipment accidents, improper employer safety measures, unsafe work conditions, motor vehicle accidents, and more are common workplace wrongful death lawsuits.

Advice for Victims

Any type of wrongful death case requires the services of a well-versed and seasoned personal injury attorney. Contact an injury law firm right away if someone you love was recently killed in a negligent accident that was not of any fault of their own. You and your family may be entitled to compensation for your damages; like pain and suffering, trauma, post-traumatic stress, mental anguish, funeral expenses, hospital bills, and more.

Wrongful Death Lawyers in Indianapolis

Personal Injury Attorney Indianapolis

Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for information about filing a wrongful death claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seasoned personal injury attorneys Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are here to help you obtain the rightful compensation you deserve after wrongfully losing a loved one. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we recover for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule an appointment with a wrongful death lawyer in Indianapolis, IN today.