What to Do When a Loved One Dies: Part 2

Make funeral arrangements.

Funeral homes offer a variety of plans, services and merchandise; traditional funerals with a casket generally cost from $6,000 to $10,000. Most funeral providers suggest purchasing packages, but federal and state rules require that funeral directors make available an itemized price list and detailed information about the range of goods offered.

Some of the decisions to be made about a funeral or memorial service include

• Who will be financially responsible for billing purposes?
• What religious or family traditions should be followed?
• Will there be a burial or cremation?
• Will the body be embalmed? Embalming is not required by law.
• What clothing the deceased will be wearing for a burial?
• Are there any personal objects or jewelry to be buried with the body?
• Will the casket be open or closed?
• Will there be a viewing or calling hours at the funeral home?
• Will there be a funeral or memorial service, and what will be involved?
• Should any additional information be included in an obituary or paid death notice for local papers? Find out if there are any other publications which should receive the obituary.
• Should flowers, or donations in lieu of flowers, be encouraged? If donations, contact the charity of choice to arrange details.
• What sort of special touches might you bring to any services? Consider music, art or photographs, memorial cards, a personalized eulogy, and whatever else might be meaningful.
• What will you wear for the services?

Complete necessary paperwork.

In the days and weeks surrounding a death, it's vital that you stay organized and keep track of all the necessary paperwork. If this isn't your strong suit, let someone else in your circle be in charge of record-keeping, including compiling a list of individuals who should receive thank-you notes in the months ahead.

• Death Certificates
  The funeral director will usually obtain death certificates; get 10-25 certified copies depending upon how complicated the estate is.
• The Will
  Contact either the executor named in the will or the attorney directly, and let them handle probate court and estate matters. If there is no will, the process varies depending upon individual state laws. Usually, the deceased's spouse, partner or a close family member should contact an attorney, or go to the county courthouse to have an executor named.
• Social Security
  Complete information regarding Social Security benefits including several online publications can be found at http://www.ssa.gov/.

In the days following a death

• Notify Social Security of the beneficiary's death by calling 1-800-772-1213.
• Stop any payments made to the bank via direct deposit, and do not cash any checks received for the month of death, or anytime after. Return any uncashed checks to Social Security.
• As a surviving spouse or child, you are eligible to receive a one-time payment to help cover funeral expenses.
• As a spouse, apply for survivor's benefits.
• As a domestic partner, check individual state laws to see if you qualify for survivors benefits.
  • Veteran's Military Benefits
    Contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-800-827-1000 for information about financial assistance and burial services, or visit http://www.va.gov/.
  • Active Peace Officers and Military
    Contact local representatives for additional benefits.
  • Insurance Policies and Employer Benefits
    Check all insurance policies for any death-related benefits. Contact deceased's employer regarding life insurance; any unpaid compensation; retirement plans including pension, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), stock options, etc.; and also ask about possible continuing medical coverage for a spouse, partner and/or dependents.
  • Other Benefits
    Check for possible benefits for spouses, partners and children through social or fraternal organizations; unions; mortgage companies; credit cards which offer life and accidental death insurance; and frequent flyer programs which often allow transfer of mileage.

Final To-Dos

If you are a surviving spouse, partner or dependent, still other important matters need to be handled.

• Contact your attorney.
  Any assets and titles to vehicles and property must be legally transferred; this is usually be done as part of the estate settlement. Do not pay any of the deceased's debts without consulting with the estate executor or an attorney. The executor should file necessary forms with the post office.
• Contact your accountant or tax advisor.
  Get advice on filing taxes, preparing a budget and valuing assets including any stocks, bonds, and investment accounts transferred, as well as listing any debts for which you are responsible.
• Contact your bank.
  Open individual checking and savings accounts in your name.
• Locate deceased's safe deposit box(es).
  Check individual state laws regarding access.
• Contact insurance agents.
  Change policies and beneficiaries as appropriate for your life, health, car and home policies.
• Contact credit card companies.
  Cancel the deceased's individual credit cards, but don't remove name from joint accounts for 6 months.
• Contact all home utilities.
  Make sure all utilities are in your name.
• Update your will and make your own prearrangements.
  Use this time to update your own will regarding beneficiaries, and outline a letter of intent about your wishes after death.

Dismantling a Home

If a home must be sold following a death, the will should outline the disposition of major items including the property itself, furniture and valuables. Sorting through the remaining belongings may be painful, but can also bring back positive memories.

Keep in mind the following tips as you make decisions about a home's contents:

• Enlist someone to oversee the entire project, and divide up the various tasks.
• Categorize items into those for charity, for sale, for family and friends.
• Contact charity organization(s) to pick up all donated items.
• Sell items through an estate sale if there are numerous antiques or valuables.
• Have a garage or yard sale for fewer belongings of less value.
• Consider using an online auction site if there are a small number of items.
• If the situation is overwhelming, hire a move coordinator.