Recently an old friend lost her son-in-law and grandson to a house fire. The circumstances were sad and more so due to the fact that the grandson was a Down's Syndrome young man. The fire woke the family in the wee hours and the father (DJ) managed to get most of the kids out when it was realized that Tyrone was in fact still in the home. DJ went back in to get Tyrone and sadly, neither made it out alive. There were several witnesses to the circumstances surrounding the deaths of DJ and Tyrone yet, autopsies were requested (autopsies have always been a frowned upon by the Navajo people). There was a fundraiser at the Baca Chapter House (Navajo Community Center) near Prewitt. I attended to lend a bit of moral support to Nancy and her family in their time of loss.
DJ's employer made a short speech as did some of his co-workers, several tribe members made commentary on the character of DJ and the loving father to Tyrone and all his children he was.
Then a tribal representative made the appeal to help with the final costs involved and explained the circumstances of the arrangements. First, the coroner must release the bodies after the autopsies which could take up to 2 weeks. Then and only after the release of the bodies can any arrangements be made. Then because of new restrictions at the cemetery in Grants, vaults in addition to caskets must be purchased. The plots must be purchased as well. The family can get no help from Social Security until they provide birth certificates (lost in the fire) or any other documentation proving identity ( all lost in fire). The funeral home will not make arrangements until the bodies are released. The family is staying with other family members and the community has stepped forward to assist with food and clothing but it still seems to me that too much red tape is involved to help this family get by the details and on with their lives.
I guess that as a genealogist I am used to the concept of copies of documents such as birth certificates and marriage licenses. That is part of why I have written today. To remind everyone that when you can, you should order from your location of birth or marriage (ie. county or state agency) at least 1 extra certified copy of birth certificate or marriage license. Have a near relative or safe deposit box to keep them in. In such emergency situations , ask yourself if you lost all in your home or were not allowed to search through it , would you be able to get documentation to get new drivers licenses or social security cards or benefits? Would you be able to deposit or withdraw form accounts? Where are your financial papers, life insurance papers, records, family contacts? Would you be able to function with the little you may have on your person at that kind of tragic time?
We have fireproof (not just flame resistant) gun safes that have old photos, documents and legal papers, 1 in the house and 2 in the garage. They are supposed to withstand fires up 3500* for 30 minutes which as fast as homes actually go up in flames, that should be sufficient. Our home nor garage are so large that they would burn that hot for more than a few minutes.
After a tragedy like this one has time to reflect on what they should could or would do in similar circumstances. The best advice I can offer , be prepared and have a well thought out schedule of what to do in each of several scenarios. Also, consider a list of all your online stuff. Does someone have access to what business you conduct online? Do they know which utilities are paid automatically and which you have to enter each month? Is there anyone with your passwords that can get to your accounts to take care of business as needed? Some very important things to consider about your life that you can take care of. Things that will be taken care of no matter who may be left to take care of details. A plan that can be set in motion no matter the severe emotional distress you may be dealing with.
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