When you're planning a funeral, it is important to adhere to the religious beliefs that sustained the deceased during his or her lifetime. Not only does this honor the life of the deceased, but it often brings great comfort to those he or she left behind, as well.
One of the most well-known types of burial arrangements belongs to those of the Catholic faith. Catholics believe that in addition to grieving during a funeral, it's also a time of rejoicing for the passing of the deceased into eternal life. Depending on how traditional the deceased's beliefs and the church he or she attended, a Catholic funeral can be a long and somber event or a more lighthearted affair.
(more…) Catholic Funerals
February 25th, 2011When you're planning a funeral, it is important to adhere to the religious beliefs that sustained the deceased during his or her lifetime. Not only does this honor the life of the deceased, but it often brings great comfort to those he or she left behind, as well.
One of the most well-known types of burial arrangements belongs to those of the Catholic faith. Catholics believe that in addition to grieving during a funeral, it's also a time of rejoicing for the passing of the deceased into eternal life. Depending on how traditional the deceased's beliefs and the church he or she attended, a Catholic funeral can be a long and somber event or a more lighthearted affair.
(more…) Military Funerals
February 22nd, 2011
If you are planning a funeral either in advance or soon after the death of a family member, you may want to consider military funeral benefits. In some cases, you can receive financial assistance in covering funeral costs; in others, you may receive ceremonial privileges that will allow you to send your loved one off with the honor and respect achieved over a lifetime of hard work and devotion.
The traditional components of a military funeral—including the playing of Taps, a gunshot salute, a drumming corp, a flag ceremony, or even a procession of guards—range from simple to ostentatious, depending on the contributions of the individual to our country and how he or she wished to be honored in death.
(more…) Jewish Funerals
February 18th, 2011
Modern Jewish funerals follow in a long line of traditions and practices that have been around for centuries. Depending on the wishes of the deceased and the family he or she leaves behind, a Jewish funeral can be highly traditional or follow a more modern format. If you are funeral planning for a loved one, it's important to talk with his or her religious advisors and other members of the family to determine how strongly you wish to adhere to traditional Jewish rites.
The Role of the Synagogue
The first person to contact in the event of a death in the family is typically the rabbi or synagogue leader, who will become your guide to the funeral planning process. Unlike other religious funerals, which typically go first through a funeral home, the Jewish custom requires certain key steps. Having a rabbi or other religious official at your side means that you can navigate these steps and the death care industry in your city that much better.
(more…) Loved to Death
February 9th, 2011
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What To Do When Someone Dies: Life Insurance
February 3rd, 2011
Life insurance is one of those things that just about everyone considers within their lifetime; leaving our family and dependents with enough money to get by is not only a smart financial move, but an act of love, as well. However, like any type of financial investment, life insurance is rarely straightforward, and in the event of death, there may be additional hoops that must be jumped through before all the funds are released.
As you face the first few days after the death of a loved one, you'll want to gather up the necessary paperwork and prepare to talk to the right authorities—including insurance agents, the Executor of the Estate (when needed), and possibly even your attorney.
Commonly Asked Insurance Questions
When a loved one dies, who do I contact about the life insurance policy?
The agent who sold the policy is typically the first point of contact. This individual should have a record of all the transactions included with the life insurance policy, including what the payout will be and who the beneficiary is. Assuming there are no further complications, a proof of death (i.e., a death certificate) and proof of your position is all that is needed to release the funds to the proper channels.
(more…) What To Do When Someone Dies: Stocks and Investments
February 1st, 2011
One of the types of financial property that commonly passes from one person to another when a death occurs are stocks, bonds, and other kinds of money market investments. The good news about this kind of property is that it is almost always done by the type of individual who put time and effort into financial planning, estate planning, and other long-term objectives. This means there is a good likelihood a will is in place and steps have been taken to smooth the way for beneficiaries to gain control.
However, because death can be so sudden and unexpected, this isn't always the case. As in any situation in which the deceased leaves behind an estate that must go through probate, there are certain steps required before all the funds can be released. If your loved one had a stock portfolio or worked with a financial advisor to create long-term investment plans, you may want to be sure of your rights and responsibilities regarding what to do about stocks and investments when a loved one dies.
(more…) What To Do When Someone Dies: Social Security and Other Government Organizations
January 28th, 2011
Many times, the death of a loved one occurs when he or she has reached an advanced age—an age at which Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are part of the financial structure of his or her estate. As part of the funeral planning and estate dissolution process, you will need to notify the proper authorities. In some cases, you might also be eligible for benefits and other services that can provide support during this difficult time.
Social Security
It is your responsibility to ensure that Social Security is notified as soon as possible after a loved one dies. In many cases, the funeral director will either alert you to this fact or offer to contact Social Security on your behalf...you will simply need to give permission and ensure that the director has the correct social security number to make the report.
It can take a few weeks or even months before the death is processed with Social Security, so if you get checks or direct deposits, be sure not to touch the money, as you will be required to give them back.
(more…) What To Do When Someone Dies: Online Accounts
January 26th, 2011
In our modern Internet age, there are multiple places where we interact and communicate online. From standard email accounts and Facebook to Foursquare and Twitter, an individual can juggle as many as several dozen online accounts at one time. And when an unexpected death occurs, this can leave several loose ends that need to be tied up before you can finally say your goodbyes.
No amount of funeral planning will prepare you to handle the numerous different online accounts left open after a death. If you are estate planning or making a will, it is a good idea to make a list of all the online accounts you have as well as the usernames and passwords necessary to access them. This list can be left with a trusted family member or even as part of your will, to become the responsibility of the Will Executor upon your death.
(more…) What To Do When Someone Dies: Real Estate
January 21st, 2011
When someone in your family dies, there is a good chance that he or she had real estate (either in the form of a personal residence or in investment properties) that will be subject to either probate, inheritance taxes, or both. In cases where the real estate value is high or completely paid off, this can represent a great financial boon; in others, where there may be a mortgage on the property, the house or land may end up going to probate to pay off existing debts before you'll ever see a penny.
Depending on your relationship with the deceased, the process of finalizing all the paperwork and transferring the property will vary. Here are a few of the more common situations:
(more…) What To Do When Someone Dies: Grief Resources
January 18th, 2011
The bulk of this series on What to Do When Someone Dies deals with funeral planning and steps for moving through the estate and probate process. However, all the financial and legal paperwork in the world can't account for the emotional toll the death of a loved one can have on you, your family, your home life, and your professional life. No one, no matter how much advance warning and preparation he or she has, can be prepared for the loss of a loved one. And when death occurs suddenly or unexpectedly, the psychological impact can and will change your life forever.
The best thing you can do for yourself in the days following the death of a loved one is to connect with grief support resources. Even if you never use them, it's a good idea to have a place (either a physical place or an online group) you can go for help, should the need arise.
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