Things to do Following the Funeral Service

It is sometimes difficult to know what to do after a funeral service. Use this list to help guide next steps!

• Certified copies of the death certificates received.  Please inform if you need additional copies.
• Acknowledgment cards written and sent:
  1. To those who sent flowers or brought food
  2. To those who served as pallbearers
  3. To those who assisted as musicians, custodians, altar assistants, lunch providers, etc.
  4. To clergy or others who may have spoken at the service
  5. To those who made memorial contributions
• For any legal questions, notify an attorney.  He/She will discuss with you probating the will, inheritance and estate taxes, etc.  He/She will also help you draw up or update your own will. File your will at the local County Clerk’s office.
• Notify insurance companies and file claims when appropriate:
  1. Life Insurance, Medical, Health, Disability, Travel, and Accident
  2. Pension Benefits
  3. Home Owners
  4. Change Automobile Insurance
  5. Change the Beneficiary on your own life insurance policy if the prior beneficiary was the deceased
• Notify current employer or pension provider of death.  Check on group insurance benefits, survivor’s benefits, profit sharing, and or pension monies that you may be entitled to:
  1. Civil Service Employees and/or Federal Employees
  2. U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Retirement Operations Center, PO Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017, or by phone 888.767.6738 or 724.794.2005
  3. Former Employers
  4. Union Representative (if deceased was a union member)
  5. Professional and fraternal organizations
• Apply for appropriate benefits when applicable:
  1. Pension Benefits
  2. Railroad Retirement Benefits (800.808.0772)
  3. Worker’s Compensation Benefits
• Notify the Department of Motor Vehicles to transfer titles of all registered vehicles, mobile homes, and boats registered in the deceased’s name. The form can be obtained at the local DMV.
• Notify Financial Advisor / Stockbroker:
  1. Check with your advisor to see how many copies of the death certificate will be needed
  2. Change ownership of joint or solely owned stocks
  3. Cancel any open orders arranged by deceased 
• Notify Bank:
  1. Change all jointly held accounts and amend tax identification numbers
  2. Cancel direct deposit retirement benefit payments
  3. Re-establish name on safety deposit box, mortgages, loans, notes, etc.
  4. If you bank with a credit union, check to see if they supply a life insurance benefit
• Notify credit card companies.  Some credit cards carry credit life insurance
• Notify accountant (unless estate lawyer is preparing final tax returns).  Provide certified copies of the death certificate, previous filed tax return forms and current earnings and dividend statements
• Cancel appointments made by deceased
• Return any medical equipment
• Notify schools, colleges, professional organizations regarding death
• If the deceased was a member of a labor union, notify the union and inquire about any benefits survivors are entitled to
• Keep an up-to-date accounting of all cash, income, and expenses
• Collect any debts owed to deceased
• Get hospital and medical statements as soon as possible
• Pay all bills and taxes owed as soon as possible, such as funeral bill, income tax, real estate tax, home mortgage, hospital and medical bills
• Make a review of your own financial situation
• Be cautious about those who contact you to sell your merchandise, such as grave markers, cemetery space and merchandise, memorial Bible, etc.  If you are approached by someone in this regard, call us or someone else you can trust before buying
• Referral Program Information
• Please refer to the book given to you
• Sample letter that may be used (mail certified with a return receipt requested)

Dear Sir or Madam,

This letter is to inform you that my (spouse, parent, child, etc.), (full name of deceased), passed away on (month, day, and year).  I understand that (he or she) may have been eligible for death benefits or survivorship pension benefits through your organization. Please inform me of whatever information and documents you may require from me as beneficiary.

Sincerely,

Signature (Type/Print name and complete address with telephone number)

* This article is for information purposes only. I don’t recommend, support, or diagnose any featured writer or article. I am not a doctor. Your health is one of a kind. What works for one person may not for another, so the information in these articles should not take the place of an expert opinion. Before making significant lifestyle or diet changes, please consult your primary care physician or nutritionist. You and your doctor will know your own health best.