Tuesday, January 22, 2013
I received a call from the funeral home on Friday afternoon (Jan 18th) to let me know I would be able to pick up Jim's ashes anytime after 8:30 am on Monday (Jan 21st). I picked him up Monday around 3:30 pm. According to the cremation certification, he was cremated Thursday, January 17th. His "urn" is a simple wooden box, painted white, sealed from the bottom. In order to scatter the ashes, four screws need to be removed from the bottom of the urn and his remains are inside in a plastic bag. I told my mom I have the ashes, and she asked me to wait a few days before I bring them to her.
Friday, January 18, 2013
On Wednesday 1/16 at 12:46pm, the funeral home received the go ahead from the county to proceed with the cremation. Exactly when Jim will be cremated is based on work load at the crematorium, but could be as early as today. His ashes should be ready for pick up early next week.
As for a memorial of some sort, I'm leaving that in my mom and her siblings as to what they want to do. Everyone is pretty spread out geographically, so I don't know exactly what to do. Ultimately, as per Jim's will, he wants to be spread on his parents grave. As the cemetery isn't going to just lets us come in and dump remains, I'm thinking we will have to keep the crowd there to a minimum. Will keep you all posted.
As for a memorial of some sort, I'm leaving that in my mom and her siblings as to what they want to do. Everyone is pretty spread out geographically, so I don't know exactly what to do. Ultimately, as per Jim's will, he wants to be spread on his parents grave. As the cemetery isn't going to just lets us come in and dump remains, I'm thinking we will have to keep the crowd there to a minimum. Will keep you all posted.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I had explained the cremation process in Pinellas County
Note sections 5, 7, and 11.
Section 11 is the current hold up in Jim’s cremation. According to A Life Tribute, they have been waiting on the info from the doctor (this is what they told me again today. According to the doctor, they had already sent the “CREMATION APPROVAL FORM” to A Life Tribute, only to have it returned as ‘not properly filled out’. Dr’s office said they have contacted the funereal home and couldn’t get an answer on what needed to be changed. I was then further advised by Dr. Fana’s office supervisor that the doctor would be in tomorrow (1/16/2013) and if she couldn’t get it taken care of, the doctor himself will take care of it tomorrow. Dr. Fana’s office number is 727.384.0192. Feel free to call them, I already have several times.
Note: a death certificate is necessary for the county to approve a pending cremation.
To see if a death certificate has been issued, go here:
Click “Guest Login”,
then click “Official records Search” (first link under “Official Records”)
fill in TAYLOR
chose “Death Certificate” from drop down labeled “Instrument Select”
enter begin date (12/29/2013) and end date (end with current date)
hit “Submit”
You will see when/if the death certificate has been issued.
Or you might be able to call here:
The number for the District 6 (Pinellas/Pasco) Medical examiner’s office is 727.582.6800. I assume they could tell you if Jim has been cleared for cremation. http://www.pinellascounty.org/forensics/default.htm
I hope this clears up any confusion about what is going on.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Just an Update
I spoke with the funeral home yesterday (Thursday Jan 10) to get a status update. The county has approved the funding for the cremation. I asked about the death certificate and was advised the Dr. Fana’s office has yet to return the necessary paperwork to the funeral home. I then called Dr. Fana’s office for an update. I was told by the person answering the phone that “they were talking about that yesterday” and that she wasn’t sure what was going on, and advised me to call back in a few days. I will follow up with them Monday (Jan 14th). If they don’t have a satisfactory answer for me by then, I’ll go in person and deal with them slightly more aggressively.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has been trying to locate Jim’s kids. Using what little info I could give them, they were able to find Michelle (Jim’s daughter, born to Jim’s second wife Arlene in 1970). She lives in Tampa
I haven’t been able to find Jim’s kids with Laverne yet, if anyone has any info, I’d appreciate it. As the Sheriff's office has notified one of Jim’s kids, that satisfies their next-of-kin requirements, so it’s back up to me (or us as the family) to locate the other kid’s, which really shouldn’t be that hard in this internet age.
Friday, January 4, 2013
From the Beginning
Last Sunday,12/30/2012, my mom called me around 8:45pm and asked me to check on Uncle Jim, as neither she nor Peggy/Herman could reach him. I arrived at Jim's trailer around 9:30. No lights were on. I walked up to the screen porch, the screen door was locked from the inside, I saw the door to the trailer itself was open. I called for Jim and got no answer. I retrieved a flashlight from my car, shined the light into the trailer from the outside of the porch and saw Jim laying on the floor. I called to him and got no reply. I called 911, cut the screen, unlocked the door, and entered the property. I tried to get a response from Uncle Jim, he had obviously been gone for a fair amount of time. EMT/Paramedics were on scene within minutes and confirmed the same.
He was on the floor, feet facing the door, legs straight out, arms at his side, flat on his back, head against the kitchen cabinet. He was barefoot, wearing long khakis and a white tshirt. A small carpet/mat was askew and partially out the door. He may have simply slipped on the mat and hit his head on the cabinet on his way down, or he may have had some other catastrophic event (seizure, etc.). The end result is still the same.I don't know what the death certificate will say as, official cause of death. That will be determined by Jim's doctor, Dr. Fana, and the authorities that be at the county.
He wasn't contorted or showing any signs of having suffered. Neighbors had spoken to him around 11am, and whatever happened happened soon after.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene. The responding officer was Deputy J.P. Waugh, case # SO12 496075.Deputy Waugh contacted Jim's doctor from the scene based on info on prescription bottles in Jim's trailer. Because of Jim's age and health, Dr Fana agreed to sign the death certificate. I stayed with Jim until he was removed from his home, around Midnight or so. He was taken to A Life Tribute Funeral Care in Gulfport, FL. This was arranged by Det. Waugh as they are the county contractor for this sort of thing.
Several years ago, when Uncle Jim found out he had cancer, I helped him with his necessary paperwork: advance health directives, medical POA, will, etc. All are notarized. He specifically asked in his will to be cremated and scattered on his parent's graves in St. Petersburg, FL. He appointed me his executor in the will, which is why I am able to handle his affairs. While he didn't want a viewing or funeral, my mom has expressed wanting some sort of memorial for him. I will do whatever I can to facilitate whatever she, her siblings, and the remainder of the family wants. Of course any help on that is greatly appreciated.
I had gotten some mis-information initially from the person I had originally spoke to at the funeral home. I had been told the fee for collection and holding of the remains was $570 to us, and would be included in the cost of the cremation if we had it done there, a total of +/- $1200 plus death certs and copies paid to the county. This was not accurate. I met with the funeral director Jan 2nd, and here is the plan: because of Jim's financial situation, as well as mine (which are the two that matter to the county) we have applied for the county to cover his cremation. More on that to follow.
The cremation process in Florida (or at least Pinellas County) as it applies to us is as follows. The police come to the location of the body, and determines the death apparently free of foul play. The body is recovered and stored at the funeral director acting as county contractor at the Sheriff's request. As the county requested the services of the contractor, the bill goes to the county, hence we are not responsible for the $570 mentioned earlier. Next, the responsible party (me) meets with funeral director to start final arrangements, and gather necessary info for Death Certificate. Someone at funeral director examines body, determines no obvious signs of foul play or suspicious circumstance. Within 48 hrs, all info is sent to Dr. Fana for his review. He should receive this either today (Friday) or Monday. Dr. Fana examines body if he feels necessary and assigns cause of death, and returns completed paperwork to funeral director, who sends it to the county health dept. By statute, all this must be to the county within 14 days. The county and the county coroner review the paperwork, and if all is in order, the remains are released for cremation and a death certificate is issued. The funeral director said based on the holiday backlog (offices were closed for Christmas and New Years), he anticipates 10 days or so for this process. The variable here is how long the doctor takes to do his part. I will follow up with his office on Monday to see where we are.
While all this is going on, the county will be reviewing the application for the county funded cremation (which is done at the same Funeral Home he is currently). It's the same $1200 cremation mentioned above, without the expense. If we were not approved for the county cremation, Abbey Affordable Cremation And Funeral Services in Largo, FL (727-517-2340) is, if I'm not mistaken, $395.00. Uncle Jim had found this place as the least expensive in the area. It's card was on his fridge. On back, in his hand, is written "$395+ death cert. call this number at time of death. Put on mom + dad grave". Deputy called from scene Sunday night, I called Monday morning, and it was a circuitous route to where he is now.
The Sheriff's Office is trying to locate his kids, I've given them all the info mom and I have, I did find some old addresses on letters and other old paperwork, all 10 plus years old. I couldn't find an address book. I'm going to see what I can find tomorrow when I go to empty the refrigerator.
I think I found Joann, his last wife, in Biloxi online, I'm going to call her tomorrow.
Thats all for tonight. I'll post more tomorrow.
He was on the floor, feet facing the door, legs straight out, arms at his side, flat on his back, head against the kitchen cabinet. He was barefoot, wearing long khakis and a white tshirt. A small carpet/mat was askew and partially out the door. He may have simply slipped on the mat and hit his head on the cabinet on his way down, or he may have had some other catastrophic event (seizure, etc.). The end result is still the same.I don't know what the death certificate will say as, official cause of death. That will be determined by Jim's doctor, Dr. Fana, and the authorities that be at the county.
He wasn't contorted or showing any signs of having suffered. Neighbors had spoken to him around 11am, and whatever happened happened soon after.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene. The responding officer was Deputy J.P. Waugh, case # SO12 496075.Deputy Waugh contacted Jim's doctor from the scene based on info on prescription bottles in Jim's trailer. Because of Jim's age and health, Dr Fana agreed to sign the death certificate. I stayed with Jim until he was removed from his home, around Midnight or so. He was taken to A Life Tribute Funeral Care in Gulfport, FL. This was arranged by Det. Waugh as they are the county contractor for this sort of thing.
Several years ago, when Uncle Jim found out he had cancer, I helped him with his necessary paperwork: advance health directives, medical POA, will, etc. All are notarized. He specifically asked in his will to be cremated and scattered on his parent's graves in St. Petersburg, FL. He appointed me his executor in the will, which is why I am able to handle his affairs. While he didn't want a viewing or funeral, my mom has expressed wanting some sort of memorial for him. I will do whatever I can to facilitate whatever she, her siblings, and the remainder of the family wants. Of course any help on that is greatly appreciated.
I had gotten some mis-information initially from the person I had originally spoke to at the funeral home. I had been told the fee for collection and holding of the remains was $570 to us, and would be included in the cost of the cremation if we had it done there, a total of +/- $1200 plus death certs and copies paid to the county. This was not accurate. I met with the funeral director Jan 2nd, and here is the plan: because of Jim's financial situation, as well as mine (which are the two that matter to the county) we have applied for the county to cover his cremation. More on that to follow.
The cremation process in Florida (or at least Pinellas County) as it applies to us is as follows. The police come to the location of the body, and determines the death apparently free of foul play. The body is recovered and stored at the funeral director acting as county contractor at the Sheriff's request. As the county requested the services of the contractor, the bill goes to the county, hence we are not responsible for the $570 mentioned earlier. Next, the responsible party (me) meets with funeral director to start final arrangements, and gather necessary info for Death Certificate. Someone at funeral director examines body, determines no obvious signs of foul play or suspicious circumstance. Within 48 hrs, all info is sent to Dr. Fana for his review. He should receive this either today (Friday) or Monday. Dr. Fana examines body if he feels necessary and assigns cause of death, and returns completed paperwork to funeral director, who sends it to the county health dept. By statute, all this must be to the county within 14 days. The county and the county coroner review the paperwork, and if all is in order, the remains are released for cremation and a death certificate is issued. The funeral director said based on the holiday backlog (offices were closed for Christmas and New Years), he anticipates 10 days or so for this process. The variable here is how long the doctor takes to do his part. I will follow up with his office on Monday to see where we are.
While all this is going on, the county will be reviewing the application for the county funded cremation (which is done at the same Funeral Home he is currently). It's the same $1200 cremation mentioned above, without the expense. If we were not approved for the county cremation, Abbey Affordable Cremation And Funeral Services in Largo, FL (727-517-2340) is, if I'm not mistaken, $395.00. Uncle Jim had found this place as the least expensive in the area. It's card was on his fridge. On back, in his hand, is written "$395+ death cert. call this number at time of death. Put on mom + dad grave". Deputy called from scene Sunday night, I called Monday morning, and it was a circuitous route to where he is now.
The Sheriff's Office is trying to locate his kids, I've given them all the info mom and I have, I did find some old addresses on letters and other old paperwork, all 10 plus years old. I couldn't find an address book. I'm going to see what I can find tomorrow when I go to empty the refrigerator.
I think I found Joann, his last wife, in Biloxi online, I'm going to call her tomorrow.
Thats all for tonight. I'll post more tomorrow.
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