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Things to Consider
When a loved one dies, it
can be a very disturbing time for the survivors. They are faced with a myriad of
tasks before, during, and after the funeral service. We at Strunk Funeral Home
are trained to provide thoughtful assistance during these challenging times. In
an effort to be of greater help, we have developed the following checklist of
important things you may wish to consider in preparing for the tasks that lie
ahead.
The very first thing you
will want to do is contact us at 606-376-5383. We will immediately go to work to
care for the deceased and help you arrange funeral services. At your
convenience, we will want to discuss the following information.
- Vital statistics about
the deceased such as full name, address, social security number, birth date,
marital status, etc.
- Personal history of the
deceased such as education, employment, military service, memberships and
affiliations, general biographical information, etc.
- Clergy to be contacted.
- Immediate family and
friends to be contacted.
- Notices in
newspaper and other media.
- Type of funeral service
desired
- Type of casket, vault,
urn.
- Musical selections
- Scriptural selections,
poetry, readings.
- Floral requests
- Clothing and jewelry
requests.
- Casket bearers
- Type of disposition:
earth burial, entombment, cremation, etc.
- Organ and tissue donation
preferences
Financial Benefits
Here are some of the
possible Sources of financial assistance you will want to investigate:
- Pre-funded trusts or
funeral plans
- Insurance policies; life,
health, accident
- Social Security
- Veterans Administration
- Employer or union pension
funds
During The
Funeral Services
Although funeral ceremonies
are designed to honor the life of the deceased, they are also a means of helping
survivors begin to deal with the reality of the loss. During the days and events
which constitute the formal services, you may want to consider the following
suggestions:
- Share your feelings and
memories with family and friends.
- Include children in the
funeral services.
- Be patient, and take
things slowly.
- Allow extra time to get
ready for each event.
- Get as much rest as
possible.
- Try to eat balanced
meals.
- Select helpful reading
material.
- Your funeral director can
suggest good booklets.
Estate Settlement
Here are some of the items that
may affect probate procedures in settling the
estate of the deceased:
- Will, letter of
instruction or estate record
- Real estate holdings
- Checking and savings
account
- Securities
- Safe deposit boxes
- Business assets and other
holdings
- Federal estate tax,
inheritance tax, and personal income tax
After The Funeral
The process of grieving and adjusting
to life without the deceased does not end when the ceremonies are concluded. The
days and weeks ahead will bring new challenges and adjustments. Here are some of
the things you will want to consider as you move on with your own life:
- Inquire about available
bereavement services and support groups. Your funeral director can assist
you with this.
- Make necessary changes to
bank, charge, investment, and mortgage accounts.
- Update insurance
policies.
- Update personal property
and motor vehicle records.
- Update your will.
- Consider pre-arranging
and pre-funding your funeral.
- Be alert to people who
may try to defraud you during your recovery period.
- Postpone making important
decisions for at least a year, if possible.
- Understand that life is a
series of changes, and you are going through one of the most difficult. Give
yourself the time and opportunity to express your grief and move toward
recovery.
Etiquette of Acknowledgements
The following suggestions are
provided to help you acknowledging those who participated in the funeral and
expressed their sympathy. Within two weeks of the funeral
- Send a personal note
thanking the clergy for spiritual help. If a gratuity is offered, it may be
included with the note.
- Send a note of thanks to
casket bearers and friends who volunteered services, sent flowers, made
offerings, contributed memorials, gave money, or provided food
- Reply to letters and
telegrams with a brief note. Sympathy cards do not require a reply.
Use your best judgement for
situations not listed above. In general, an acknowledgement card with a few
personal words added is sufficient to express your gratitude.
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