A Useful Checklist
After
the Loss of a Loved One
Points
to discuss with family, your attorney or executor:
-
Filing
of all life insurance claims;
-
Updating
bank accounts, credit cards, loans and financial
portfolio;
-
Changing
automobile titles and property deeds;
-
Contacting
Social Security to change benefits and file for death benefit;
-
Contacting
the Veteran’s Administration and/or Railroad Retirement, if
applicable;
-
Contacting
place of employment or union about possible benefits.
Assistance
available through our funeral home:
-
Additional
Death Certificates (these
will be needed for settling insurance claims, etc.);
-
Additional
Acknowledgement Cards;
-
Help
completing VA
benefit forms;
-
Helping
you make your own prearrangements;
-
Marker
selection and engraving;
-
Additional
cemetery
information;
-
Grief
Recovery resources.
Helpful
Instructions and Useful Phone Numbers:
Contacting
Social Security
The
number for the Social Security Administration office is (800)
772-1213.
Benefits include a one-time benefit to the surviving spouse or
dependent children. If
applying for benefits other than death, you may need a birth certificate
and/or marriage license.
Regarding
Banking Information
Make
a prompt request for release from each bank or financial institution in
which the deceased and you held a joint account.
This is necessary before you can withdraw funds from that
account. The bank will tell
you what forms you may need to sign.
About
Titles, Deeds and Registrations
Before
you change the deed on property and remove the deceased’s name, check
with local officials where the property is located.
You’ll need a copy of the Death Certificate for this process.
The same is true for changing titles and registrations on
vehicles.
Gathering
bills and credit obligations
Do
a thorough job gathering outstanding bills and credit obligations, like
loans and credit cards. In
some cases with installment loans and credit cards, you may be covered
by credit life insurance which will pay off the account balance in the
event of death.
Review
your own insurance needs
With
the passing of a spouse or other loved one, your insurance needs may
change.
You don’t want to be over insured or under insured.
Talk to a trusted advisor about what is appropriate and make the
necessary adjustments.
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Timothy
E.
Hartle
Funeral
Home
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