Aftercare Checklist:
What to do After the Death of a Loved One
Points to discuss with family, your attorney, or executor:
- Filing of all life insurance claims
- Updating bank accounts, credit cards, loans, and financial portfolio
- Changing auto and property titles
- Contacting Social Security to change benefits and file for death benefit
- Contacting the Veteran’s Administration and/or Railroad Retirement, if applicable
- Contacting place of employment or union about possible benefits
Assistance available through our funeral home:
- Additional Death Certificates (needed for settling insurance claims, )
- Additional Acknowledgment Cards
- Help completing VA benefit forms
- Helping you make your own prearrangements
- Marker selection and engraving
- Additional cemetery information
- Grief Recovery resources
Helpful Instructions and Useful Phone Numbers
- Contacting Social Security
The number for the Social Security Administration office is (800) 772-1213 or online at www.ssa.gov. Benefits include a one-time benefit to the surviving spouse or dependent children. If applying for benefits other than death, you may need a birth certificate and /or marriage license.
• Contacting the Veteran’s Administration
The Veterans Affairs Department of Benefits Information and Assistance in Seattle is located at The Henry M. Jackson Federal Building, 915 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98174. They can be reached by phone at (800) 827-1000 or online at www.va.gov.
• Regarding Banking Information
Make a request for release from each bank or financial institution in which the deceased and you held a joint account. The bank will tell you what forms you may need to sign.
• About Titles, Deeds, and Registrations
Before you change the deed on property and remove the deceased’s name, check with local office where the property is located. You’ll need a copy of the Death Certificate for this process. The same is true for changing titles and registrations on vehicles.
• Gathering Bills and Credit Obligations
Do a thorough job gathering outstanding bills and credit obligations, like loans and credit cards. In some cases with installment loans and credit cards, you may be covered by credit life insurance which will pay off the account balance in the event of death.
• Review Your Own Insurance Needs
With the passing of a spouse or other loved one, you insurance needs may change. You don’t want to be over insured or under insured. Talk to a trusted advisor about what is appropriate and make the necessary adjustments.
If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to call us at (425) 392-6444 or come by one of our offices. We are here for you.