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.
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