In the coming days, please know that we will do everything possible to meet – and exceed – the expectations you have entrusted to us.

You may have heard about the service we also provide – without charge – following the funeral.  We call the program Picking Up the Pieces, and its sole purpose is to help survivors resolve some of the practical matters that can be most daunting after the loss of a loved one.

The list below will give you an idea of the ways in which our Family Service Specialist is prepared to help.  Our practice is to arrange for a time at your home within a day or two after the funeral.  (Our Family Service Specialist will call you.)  Because we know there will be many things on your mind, you need only plan on an hour or so.

Checklist

• Change the deed on your property and remove the deceased’s name from the deed. This is done at the county seat where the property is located. You will need a certified copy of the Death Certificate for this.




• Change the titles and registrations of your vehicles. This is done at the Division of Motor Vehicles. This includes cars, trucks, trailers, motor homes, mobile homes, etc. You may use a certified copy of the Death Certificate for this.




• Contact all life insurance companies with whom the deceased had policies. Request a claim form or ask for help from the local agent. Send in the claim form, the policy and a certified copy of the Death Certificate. If you need any help, your funeral director can assist you.




• Traditionally, life insurance companies require only two documents to establish proof of a claim: a Statement of Claim and the Certificate of Death (or Attending Physician’s Statement). Remember, this is just a general statement and your insurance companies reserve the right to request further information or proof if they deem it necessary.




• Claim form, you should have the following information available:

•   The policy number(s) and face amount(s)

•   The full name and address of the deceased

•   His/her occupation and last date worked

•   His/her date and place of birth and the source of birth information

•   Date, place and cause of death

•   Claimant’s name, age, address and Social Security number

• There are several ways of settling insurance claims. In most cases, you opt for a lump sum benefit, or you may choose to have the money paid to you over a time period of your choice. In the latter case, the bulk of the money remains with the insurance company and continues to earn interest. In either case, check with your insurance agent, financial advisor or attorney to find out which method would be most beneficial for your particular situation.

• Contact credit card companies to notify them of the death. Some credit cards and charge accounts include a life insurance policy with them. They may want a certified copy of the Death Certificate. If the card is held jointly, find out what documentation is required to change cards into the survivor’s name. Ask the credit bureau to assist you in transferring your spouse’s credit into your name. They may also be able to assist you in determining any outstanding obligations of the deceased.

Checklist Continued

• Change over all bank accounts and remove the deceased’s name from those accounts. You may need a certified copy of the Death Certificate for this.

• Contact all sources of retirement funds that the deceased was receiving and apply for any benefits that are due to you including pensions and annuities. You may need a certified copy of the Death Certificate for this.

• Contact any financial institution where the deceased had a loan and inform them of the death. They will be able to inform you if the loan was covered by credit life and what needs to be done to file the appropriate claim. A Death Certificate is often required.

• Gather all of the bills together and make sure you are aware of all the credit obligations of the deceased. Many installment loans, service contracts, and credit card accounts are covered by credit life insurance, which pays off the account balance in the event of the death of the customer.

• Change all utilities from the deceased’s name. It is a good idea to use only your first initial and last name when listing you name in the phone book. This will help avert any unwanted or prank calls. Many, if not all, of these accounts should be placed in a joint account with another family member to help in processing future estates.

• Contact all health insurance companies to notify them of the death and stop coverage on the deceased.

NOTE: If a company requests a certified copy of the Death Certificate, but are not providing you with a benefit, allow the company to pay for their own certified copy,   i.e.: a life insurance company will pay the claim for life insurance, so you need to provide them with a certified copy of the Death Certificate; a health insurance company, on the other hand, just needs to stop coverage. Allow them to provide their own certified copy of the Death Certificate if they require one.

• Review your own insurance needs. Often, these needs can change after the death of a family member or other loved one. Good organization of your own insurance information can aid survivors at the time this information is needed.

• If your have a large estate you may want to consult an attorney. If you use an attorney you will have to pay for their services, however, the help you receive may be invaluable.

• Keep extra copies of the Death Certificate in your file to send with your income tax returns.

• Review your options and choices for monuments and markers, photograph any existing monument or marker if it is to be matched and complete the necessary paperwork for installation.

• Create a survivor’s funeral plan that will document your wishes, consolidate your vital information and make certain your loved ones will not over-spend or be without adequate resources.

We know that much will be demanded of you in the days ahead.  Our sincere desire is to help in ways that are meaningful and lasting.  Count on the integrity and confidentiality of our Family Service Specialist as part of our commitment to you.

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