Life After The Service
Life after the Service
In the days following the death and services of your loved one many people feel lost, not knowing what the next step should be. Everyone's situation is unique and there are no guidelines that will fit every circumstance. Below we have listed some common task that many people need to accomplish in the weeks following the death. Please understand these are suggestions from years of experience not legal advise.
Home Care
When elderly lose a companion, even if that companion was not the strongest of the couple, the survivor may find staying alone
overwhelming. You may need to consider in home care by family or professionals either temporarily or long-term.
Home Care
When elderly lose a companion, even if that companion was not the strongest of the couple, the survivor may find staying alone overwhelming. You may need to consider in home care by family or professionals either temporarily or long-term.
Setting up an Estate
Not all deaths require an estate. The best way
to determine this is to seek the advise of a lawyer in your area. Different circumstances will determine where the estate can be set up
(County and State) and what type of estate needs to be set up.
Setting up an Estate
Not all deaths require an estate. The best way to determine this is to seek the advise of a lawyer in your area. Different circumstances will determine where the estate can be set up (County and State) and what type of estate needs to be set up.
Bank Accounts
How accounts are set up will determine the steps needed to change or close accounts. Many accounts can be set up to have a POD
(Payable on Death), this names a beneficiary to receive the funds once proof of death is shown. The beneficiary normally does not have any privileges of the account until the death occurs. Your financial institution can help with this step.
Bank Accounts
How accounts are set up will determine the steps needed to change or close accounts. Many accounts can be set up to have a POD (Payable on Death), this names a beneficiary to receive the funds once proof of death is shown. The beneficiary normally does not have any privileges of the account until the death occurs. Your financial institution can help with this step.
Utilities
It is a good idea to get any utilities that will not be canceled in the next few months changes into someone else's name. Estate papers or a certified death certificate may be necessary for these changes.
Utilities
It is a good idea to get any utilities that will not be canceled in the next few months changes into someone else's name. Estate papers or a certified death certificate may be necessary for these changes.
Insurance Policies
Often the funeral home will help you file policies on the deceased but you should also review other policies to see if your loved one was listed as a beneficiary on other policies. The owner of the policy should be able to contact the insurance company and have a new beneficiary listed and a contingent beneficiary is a good idea as well.
Insurance Policies
Often the funeral home will help you file policies on the deceased but you should also review other policies to see if your loved one was listed as a beneficiary on other policies. The owner of the policy should be able to contact the insurance company and have a new beneficiary listed and a contingent beneficiary is a good idea as well.
Retirement or Employee Benefits
If your loved one had retirement or employee benefits you will need to contact the company and notify them of the death. Often they will need a certified death certificate for their records.
Retirement or employee benefits
If your loved one had retirement or employee benefits you will need to contact the company and notify them of the death. Often they will need a certified death certificate for their records.
Talking to Social Security
Your funeral home should have notified
social security of the death of your loved one and given them information if there was a surviving spouse or minor child. If you need
to talk to social security call their National 800 Number at 1-800-772-1213 between 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Talking to Social Security
Your funeral home should have notified
social security of the death of your loved one and given them information if there was a surviving spouse or minor child. If you need to talk to social security call their National 800 Number at 1-800-772-1213 between 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Postal Services
Consider having mail forwarded to a different address if nobody will be at home to collect the mail. Important papers and insurance checks are a few of the things you would not want waiting in an over full mail box. Uncollected mail can also be a sign of a vacant house and increase the possibility of a crime.
Postal Services
Consider having mail forwarded to a different address if nobody will be at home to collect the mail. Important papers and insurance checks are a few of the things you would not want waiting in an over full mail box. Uncollected mail can also be a sign of a vacant house and increase the possibility of a crime.
Grief Support
If you feel overwhelmed or stuck in your healing journey please reach out to others. You can check out the resources on this website for a place to start. There are sites on the internet and in most communities have face to face counseling. If you don't know who to ask, ask your funeral director, they may even have groups that meet at their location.
Getting a Monument
Take your time. If you rush this process you may purchase something you don't like and you will be reminded of the stress and frustration every time you visit the grave. Take picture of other monuments you have seen that you liked or other family monuments you want to match. If the monument company does not seem interested in your unique design shop around. Your monument can be as elaborate or simple as you like to show a lasting tribute to your loved one.
Grief Support
If you feel overwhelmed or stuck in your healing journey please reach out to others. You can check out the resources on this website for a place to start. There are sites on the internet and in most communities have face to face counseling. If you don't know who to ask, ask your funeral director, they may even have groups that meet at their location.
Getting a Monument
Take your time. If you rush this process you may purchase something you don't like and you will be reminded of the stress and frustration every time you visit the grave. Take picture of other monuments you have seen that you liked or other family monuments you want to match. If the monument company does not seem interested in your unique design shop around. Your monument can be as elaborate or simple as you like to show a lasting tribute to your loved one.
