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Gately Community Connections
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| For Our Community of Caregivers |
December 2012
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Gately Prepares for a Fourth Year Sponsorship of the American Cancer Society Daffodil Days!
In February, Gately Funeral Home will again be a sponsor and coordinator for the American Cancer Society's annual Daffodil Days.
"It doesn't seem possible that this will be our fourth year sponsoring this worthy event," said John Gately. "We are excited to be a part of the fight against cancer by participating in this unique campaign again. It gives us great satisfaction to participate each year ... to do our small part in raising money to fight this insidious disease."
Residents and businesses of Melrose and surrounding communities can donate by ordering daffodils and other Daffodil Days gifts for as little as $10 by visiting the Gately Funeral Home website. The site includes a list of beautiful items available in exchange for donations, including everything from fresh-cut daffodils to an adorable Daffodil Days Boyds® by Enesco® Bear.
John Gately said, "This year, once again, we are happy to have Joan Ford Mongeau, Director of the Melrose Chamber of Commerce, joining with us to help spread the word about donations for Daffodil Days."
Joan added, "We're pleased to join with John to help raise awareness and funds for this worthy cause. We will be distributing flyers around town for Daffodil Days and encouraging residents of Melrose to order daffodils ... it's a win-win! You get to brighten someone's day with a harbinger of spring and help raise funds to fight cancer."
Area residents Ronda Moulds and Colette Maguire have also offered to help with Daffodil Days," John explained. "It is heartwarming that the community is responding, not only by donating, but by joining in to help us with the campaign."
The on-going work of the American Cancer Society helps people get well and stay well by finding cures. In the past three years Gately Funeral Home raised over $3,500 during Daffodil Days and hopes to adds substantially to that total this year.
Flowers will be delivered to Gately Funeral Home in mid-March. Orders must be placed by March 1st. Visit http://www.gatelyfh.com to order.
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Winter Coat Collection
in Full Swing
"We have already collected more than 100 gently-used children and adult coats and there are still a few weeks to go to reach our goal of 250 coats to be donated to those in need," said John Gately. "We are especially pleased by the fact that people have told us they not only feel great about being able to help, but also that the simple act of cleaning out their closets of no longer worn or wanted coats is particularly freeing!" he added. "Keeping all those coats out of our landfills is just another good reason to donate to this worthy cause." Coats are being distributed through the Salvation Army in Melrose and the Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce in New Hampshire. Those wishing to donate can drop coats off Gately Funeral Home, 79 West Foster Street, Melrose. Back to Top |
Absolutely Fabulous Event Surpasses Expectations, Raising $1,700 for
Melrose Veterans' Fund
John Gately spent most of the evening behind the bar at Absolutely Fabulous Restaurant one night last October, mixing drinks and serving to the more than 300 people who attended the fundraising event for the Melrose Veterans' Fund. John Gately, along with Fred, Steve, and John Jr. greeted visitors and had a lot of fun with those who attended to help raise money to benefit the veterans' in Melrose. Their efforts were rewarded with a larger than expected donation to the Melrose Veterans' Fund of $1,700, surpassing their initial fundraising goal. "Our thanks and gratitude go out to Lori Muse, her partner Lena Giordano, and the staff of Absolutely Fabulous. They generously provided an extensive appetizer spread and their restaurant for this event. They were so very gracious and everyone who came couldn't get over the absolutely fabulous food and drink provided." Sponsored by Gately Funeral Home, the fundraiser brought in $1,700 which was presented to Veterans' Service Agent, Ryan McLane. "What a marvelous gift and tribute to our veterans," Ryan said. "Our thanks go to John Gately and his staff, as well as to Lori and Lena for their generous support." Lori Muse said, "We are happy to help out in this fundraising effort. We have a special place in our hearts for Veterans - we have many Vets in our family and we have always reached out to help whenever we can." For more information about the Veterans' Service Department, call 781-979-4186 or go to their website.
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Frequently Asked Questions
"What should I do when a relative dies?"
Here is a checklist of the key issues you will need to attend to when a loved one dies. Your Funeral Director is a source of assistance in many of these areas and can be consulted for guidance.
Immediately
- Get a legal pronouncement of death.
- If the death occurs at home, call 911 and have a Do Not Resuscitate document on hand, if one exists, so that emergency responders do not begin life-saving procedures.
- If on hospice, call your hospice nurse for the pronouncement of death.
- Call your Funeral Director.
- He or she will arrange for transportation of the body to the funeral home or to the proper authorities if an autopsy is required.
- Notify the deceased's doctor.
- Notify close family and friends.
- Make arrangements for the care of dependents and pets.
- Call the deceased's employer, if appropriate. Request information about company benefits, insurance, and salary due.
Within a few days after death
- Discuss the funeral arrangements with your Funeral Director.
- Search for documents to determine if there is a prepaid funeral plan.
- Prepare information for the Funeral Director to write the obituary.
- Have information ready for the Funeral Director regarding military service.
- List fraternal, religious, or civic organizations where your loved one was a member.
- Arrange for someone to keep an eye on the deceased's home, to answer the phone, collect mail, dispose of food, and water plants.
- Notify the attorney for the Last Will and Testament and notify the appropriate county and/or city office to have it accepted for probate.
- If necessary, the estate's executor should open a bank account for the deceased's estate.
- Learn how to transfer assets and assist with probate issues.
Up to 10 days after death
- Obtain death certificates from your Funeral Director - get multiple copies as they are needed for insurance, financial institutions, and government agencies.
- Contact the Police to have them periodically check the deceased's home if vacant.
- Contact your loved one's accountant, tax preparer, investment advisor, bank, and life insurance agent to get information on accounts and key issues.
- Contact the Social Security office and other agencies from which your loved one received benefits, such as Veterans Affairs and Pensions, to stop payments and to ask about applicable survivor benefits.
- Contact utility companies and the postal service to change or stop services.
The best way to know to be prepared is to address these important issues in advance.
- Know the location of the will, birth certificate, marriage and/or divorce certificates, Social Security information, life-insurance policies, financial documents, and the keys to the safe deposit box or home safe.
- Discuss with your love ones, preferences about funeral arrangements, organ donation, and burial or cremation.
- Discuss completing an advance directive, including a living will, which can specify wanted and unwanted procedures.
- Complete a health care proxy to assign medical decisions if you become incapacitated.
- If desired, draw up a Do Not Resuscitate order.
- Be sure to give copies of these documents to the doctor, family member, and attorney.
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Since 1889 the firm of Gately Funeral Home has been dedicated to providing the people of Melrose and surrounding communities funeral services unsurpassed in quality and caring. We thank you for your continuing support. It is our honor to assist your families in times of need.
Let the healing begin with us.
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Contact Info
For more information about the articles in this issue of Gately Community Connections or to contribute to a future issue, contact John Gately at info@gatelyfh.com. Gately Funeral Home is located at 79 West Foster Street, Melrose MA 02176. |
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