Issue 79 #4 There are a few of us who have no idea where to go for help in planning a funeral or getting all of the insurance information and other financial information that may be needed. Do you know what your spouseís wishes are as far a funeral arrangement go? Have you picked out a burial plot? Do you know if your spouse is a veteran? I feel that the first thing you should do is to sit down with your spouse and find out if there is a burial plot, what their wishes are, and to list all of your insurance policies. This information should be kept in a safe place (i.e. a safe, safety deposit box, left with a loved one). You should also make out a will together so that there would be no misunderstanding later that could create ill will. When a spouse dies, you are too shaken up to really think about what needs to be done. Emotions run high and rational thought runs low. Unfortunately this is the time that you have to make some of the most important and critical decisions of your life. Some decisions will have to be made instantly, like the mortuary, obituary, and the burial plot. You should check with your banker to see if it is standard procedure to freeze bank accounts in the event of a death. If that is so, you should try to set up an account with just your name so you have some money to live on until the account is released. I have talked with a dear personal friend and she has given me some valuable information as far as taking care of the funeral arrangements. She recently lost her husband and these are some of the issues she had to face. The mortician is responsible for the opening and closing of the grave, the vault, the embalming and getting the death certificate. You will need to have at least 20 copies of the death certificate. You have clothing that needs to be taken care of and the obituary written. You need to see about making arrangements for a headstone. You need to make sure you have the original life insurance policies. Most insurance companies do not accept copies. You also need to have your spouse removed from your checking and savings accounts. You also need to make sure you do this with your car insurance also. You should also notify your mortgage company. There are other things that you can check on. Social Security Benefits, retirement benefits, death benefits from outside organizations that your spouse may have belonged to. You should always keep family around to help you cope with the grief. If you find that this does not help, you should seek grief counseling from some place. Your health insurance should be able to direct you to a good counselor. But always remember that is what the UPOA Auxiliary is all about. Helping each other through thick and thin. If any of you have any questions about family planning you can give me a call and I can provide you with a planning booklet. In the mean time just keep loving your spouse and fellow humans. |
