DOITYOURSELFFUNERAL.NET
Funeral services are one of the largest purchases consumers will make, right up there with a car and a house.
We understand that the task of caring for the details following the death of a loved one can be overwhelming and confusing. So, we have prepared this basic information to help you through that process. Please realize that some of the items on this list will not pertain to your specific situation and they may be disregarded.
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Money is sometimes available to help with disposition:
Social Security Administration:
The federal government offers a lump-sum benefit payment of $255 upon death that can be used for funeral expenses. It is payable to a spouse or minor children of the deceased if they meet certain requirements. You can reach the Social Security Administration at: http://www.ssa.gov/ or by phone at 1-800-772-1213
Some of the deceased’s family members may be eligible to receive Social Security benefits if the deceased person worked long enough under Social Security to quality for benefits. You should get in touch with Social Security as soon as you can to make sure the family receives all of the benefits to which they may be entitled. Please read the following information carefully to learn what benefits may be available.
A one-time payment of $255 can be paid to the surviving spouse if he or she was living with the deceased; or, if living apart, was receiving certain Social Security benefits on the deceased’s record. If there is no surviving spouse, the payment is made to a child who is eligible for benefits on the deceased’s record in the month of death.
Certain family members may be eligible to receive monthly benefits, including: A widow or widower age 60 or older (age 50 or older if disabled); A surviving spouse at any age who is caring for the deceased’s child under age 16 or disabled; An unmarried child of the deceased who is: Younger than age 18 (or age 18 or 19 if he or she is a full-time student in an elementary or secondary school); or Age 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22; Parents, age 62 or older, who were dependent on the deceased for at least half of their support; and A surviving divorced spouse, under certain circumstances.
Veterans Administration:
Veterans of the U.S. armed forces and some civilians who have worked with the military or U.S. Public Health Service are entitled to free burial at a national cemetery, including a grave liner, marker and opening and closing of the grave. Mortuary fees aren't included.
Honorably discharged veterans are generally eligible for several VA benefits, including burial of remains in a casket or cremated remains in a VA cemetery, a marker for the grave or niche, a service at the cemetery, military honors and a burial flag. Additional benefits may apply if the death occurs in a VA facility or if the veteran is under special VA care at the time of death. Your funeral director will assist with identifying and arranging for these benefits.
You can reach the Veterans Administration at: http://www.va.gov/ or by phone at: 1-800-827-1000
Pensions, societies and pensions. Organizations built around some careers, such as the Railroad Retirement Board, as well as some social groups, unions and pensions, offer allowances to defray funeral costs.
Death Certificates:
Certified death certificates will be needed for most legal transactions pertaining to estate settlement, life insurance policies, insured loans, union benefits, stocks and bonds, some agencies, such as Social Security, most banks, vehicle titles, bank accounts and insurance policies held solely in the deceased’s name. The certified copies are issued by the vital records office at the health department in the county of death; the original certificate is then filed in the state archives. This process usually takes from three to ten business days
Other agencies you may need to contact include:
DMV - Driver and Motor Vehicle Service Division:
Labor unions at: http://www.oraflcio.org/ or by phone at: 503 224-3169
Internal Revenue Service: http://www.irs.gov/ or by phone at: 1-800-829-1040
Railroad Retirement Board: : http://www.rrb.gov/ or by phone at: 503 326-2143
Money is sometimes available to help with disposition:
Social Security Administration:
The federal government offers a lump-sum benefit payment of $255 upon death that can be used for funeral expenses. It is payable to a spouse or minor children of the deceased if they meet certain requirements. You can reach the Social Security Administration at: http://www.ssa.gov/ or by phone at 1-800-772-1213
Some of the deceased’s family members may be eligible to receive Social Security benefits if the deceased person worked long enough under Social Security to quality for benefits. You should get in touch with Social Security as soon as you can to make sure the family receives all of the benefits to which they may be entitled. Please read the following information carefully to learn what benefits may be available.
A one-time payment of $255 can be paid to the surviving spouse if he or she was living with the deceased; or, if living apart, was receiving certain Social Security benefits on the deceased’s record. If there is no surviving spouse, the payment is made to a child who is eligible for benefits on the deceased’s record in the month of death.
Certain family members may be eligible to receive monthly benefits, including: A widow or widower age 60 or older (age 50 or older if disabled); A surviving spouse at any age who is caring for the deceased’s child under age 16 or disabled; An unmarried child of the deceased who is: Younger than age 18 (or age 18 or 19 if he or she is a full-time student in an elementary or secondary school); or Age 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22; Parents, age 62 or older, who were dependent on the deceased for at least half of their support; and A surviving divorced spouse, under certain circumstances.
Veterans Administration:
Veterans of the U.S. armed forces and some civilians who have worked with the military or U.S. Public Health Service are entitled to free burial at a national cemetery, including a grave liner, marker and opening and closing of the grave. Mortuary fees aren't included.
Honorably discharged veterans are generally eligible for several VA benefits, including burial of remains in a casket or cremated remains in a VA cemetery, a marker for the grave or niche, a service at the cemetery, military honors and a burial flag. Additional benefits may apply if the death occurs in a VA facility or if the veteran is under special VA care at the time of death. Your funeral director will assist with identifying and arranging for these benefits.
You can reach the Veterans Administration at: http://www.va.gov/ or by phone at: 1-800-827-1000
Pensions, societies and pensions. Organizations built around some careers, such as the Railroad Retirement Board, as well as some social groups, unions and pensions, offer allowances to defray funeral costs.
Death Certificates:
Certified death certificates will be needed for most legal transactions pertaining to estate settlement, life insurance policies, insured loans, union benefits, stocks and bonds, some agencies, such as Social Security, most banks, vehicle titles, bank accounts and insurance policies held solely in the deceased’s name. The certified copies are issued by the vital records office at the health department in the county of death; the original certificate is then filed in the state archives. This process usually takes from three to ten business days
Other agencies you may need to contact include:
DMV - Driver and Motor Vehicle Service Division:
Labor unions at: http://www.oraflcio.org/ or by phone at: 503 224-3169
Internal Revenue Service: http://www.irs.gov/ or by phone at: 1-800-829-1040
Railroad Retirement Board: : http://www.rrb.gov/ or by phone at: 503 326-2143