WHEN A LOVED ONE SUDDENLY DIES...
Call the doctor; If the death was violent, suspicious or
accidental, call the police.
Get a friend with good coping skills to help you, fast!
1. Organ donor? Did the deceased sign an organ donor
instrument?
2. Planning the funeral (Did the deceased have a
preference for a simple or elaborate funeral?)
- embalming is not required
- casket may be a simple pine box
- if the body will be cremated, no casket is needed
- take along a friend to help make cost comparisons and
arrangements
- secure your home and any other real estate against
burglary, especially during the time of viewings, the funeral, etc.
3. Find the will - even if the safe-deposit box has been
sealed, you may remove the will, a cemetery deed and life insurance
policies.
4. Collect the papers you will need
house deed
title to cars
outstanding loans
tax returns
bank books
brokerage statements
stock certificates
at least 10 copies of the death certificate (ask
the undertaker)
life insurance policies
5. Apply for life-insurance benefits - your insurance
agent can handle this for you, or send a copy of the death certificate
directly to the insurance company.
6. File for government benefits
Social Security death benefit to surviving
spouse
Social Security benefits for widows with
children under the age of 16
Veterans' benefits - check with the nearest
Veterans Administration Office
7. Contact the personnel department or employer where the
deceased worked to find out if there was
life insurance
vested interest in company savings or
investment plans
survivors' benefits in pension plans
8. Don't ignore bills - if you must delay payment, inform
creditors of the reason to protect your credit.
9. Write a new will, and change the beneficiaries on your
own life insurance policy, if necessary.
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