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Members

How to Handle a Death - Checklist

Coping with the loss of one of your members is difficult, but handling their records doesn't have to be. Below is a checklist to help you through the process.

Follow this list to update each piece at a time, or use the Memorial process to cover all these steps at once.

Update a Deceased Member's Record

Step 1: Update the member record. You must enter the date of death to indicate that the person has passed away. You may also want to change other fields so the person is no longer contacted.
Tip: You can also do this within the Memorial process.
  1. Locate the member's record.
  2. On the Personal window, enter the Deceased date and click Save. A dialog box displays.
  3. If needed, change the member's type. For example, if a Head of Household dies, you may want to change them to Adult or Other so the spouse can become the head.
  4. If needed, change the relationship.
  5. If needed, select Add Entry of Deceased to Sacraments List to automatically add a sacrament for the member's death. You can add or edit this later.
  6. If needed, select Add Entry to Sacramental Register to automatically add an entry in the Death Register. You can add or edit this later.
  7. If needed, select whether to change the status of the member's current talents and ministries to No Longer Involved.
  8. Review the information for the surviving spouse and family. If needed, select whether to change the survivor name, survivor type, marital status, family status, and/or family name.
  9. Click Save to save the information and close the dialog box.
  10. At the top, click Save.
  11. If this is the last member in a family, you're prompted to stop sending mail. Click Yes to mark the Send No Mail option on the family's Primary Information window.

Add a Deceased Member Sacrament

Step 2: Add a sacrament. You can enter information about the person's death and funeral.

  1. Make sure you've defined a sacrament tab for "Deceased" or "Death".
  2. Locate the member's record.
  3. On the left, click Sacraments.
  4. On the Memorial tab, enter any relevant information you want to include.
  5. At the top, click Save.

Update the Family and Spouse Records

Step 3: Update the records of surviving family and spouse. You may want to change any records connected to the deceased person.
Tip: You can also do this within the Memorial process or when you enter the deceased date.
  1. Locate the next of kin or spouse record.
  2. On the Personal window, make any necessary changes. For example, you may need to change the spouse's marital status, type, or relationship.
  3. At the top, click Save.

Create a Memorial for Contributions

Step 4: Create a memorial for contributions in honor of the member. You can collect donations for the family's bills or other funds. This is the Memorial process.

  1. Make sure you've defined a sacrament tab for "Memorial".
  2. Locate the member's record.
  3. On the left, click Memorial.
  4. If you haven't already entered the deceased date, you're prompted to mark the member as inactive/deceased. Click Yes.
  5. If you haven't already, enter the deceased date and select whether to change the type and/or add a sacrament, then click Save.
  6. If you haven't already, enter the deceased member and next of kin information, then click Next.
  7. Select the memorial fund and activity name.
  8. Select a donor from the drop-down list and review their information. Enter the donation information, and click Add Donor. Repeat this for each donor. When you're finished, click Next.
  9. If you're ready to print letters, do so now, then proceed to the last window.
  10. To post the memorial information, click Finish.

Send Thank You and Next of Kin Letters

Step 5: Send Thank You notes to donors and send donor contact information to next of kin. You can send notes to those who donated to the memorial. The family may also want to send Thank You notes to donors, and you can provide their contact information.
Tip: You can also do this within the Memorial process.
  1. In the Members navigation pane, click Processes.
  2. Click Print Memorial Thank You and Next of Kin Letters.
  3. Select the memorial(s) to work with, then click Next.
  4. If you need to print Thank You letters, select the donors, then click Print Letters.
  5. When you're done printing, click Next.
  6. If you need to print donor contact information, select the next of kin to send to and select which donors to include in the list. Click Print Letters.
  7. When you're done printing, click Finish.
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Last updated: October 29, 2024