| The time after the death of a parent, spouse or | | | | will also need a copy of the investigative report to |
| other family member can be filled with intense | | | | be eligible for additional accidental death benefits. |
| emotions of grief. With the stress of planning a | | | | Check the fine print of the policy to see if this |
| funeral and memorial service, it can be easy to | | | | sort of coverage was provided. 3. Closing bank |
| lose track of the business of wrapping up | | | | accounts: Any existing checking and savings |
| personal affairs and settling a deceased loved | | | | accounts will remain open and any applicable fees |
| one's estate. This article outlines some tips to help | | | | will continue to be charged as long as there is |
| get through this difficult time and ensure that the | | | | money in them-unless you formally close the bank |
| surviving family members are prepared to handle | | | | accounts. You will need to bring in a certified |
| any future legal and business issues, quickly and | | | | death certificate and fill out a Death Notification |
| efficiently. Uncover any last requests: If you're | | | | Form as supplied by the bank to officially close |
| lucky, your loved one will have left a detailed, | | | | the account and withdraw or transfer any |
| legally certified will outlining burial requirements and | | | | remaining funds. If the account was a joint |
| distribution of assets. Check with the deceased's | | | | account with your name on it, the death notice is |
| lawyer if you're unsure whether a will exists. If it | | | | more of a formality to make the bank aware |
| doesn't, talk with family members to see if any | | | | that no more deposits will come in under the |
| last wishes were mentioned. Set up a financial | | | | deceased's name beyond any related insurance |
| plan: Even the most generous of insurance policies | | | | settlements. 4. Transferring retirement benefits: If |
| and estate settlements are unlikely to last | | | | you are named as a primary beneficiary on a |
| forever, so meet with a financial planner to set up | | | | 401(k), individual retirement account or company |
| a long-term budget and discuss restructuring any | | | | retirement plan, supply a certified death certificate |
| investments to satisfy your financial goals. Get | | | | to roll the benefits over to a retirement account |
| several copies of the death certificate: You should | | | | in your name. If you decide to withdraw the |
| get a copy of the death certificate for | | | | money and place it into a checking or savings |
| documentation purposes. There will be several | | | | account, be aware that you may face a |
| instances in the coming days and weeks in which | | | | significant tax penalty. The days and weeks |
| having a copy of the death certificate will be | | | | following the death of a loved one can be very |
| required. Ensure you have more than one copy of | | | | stressful. Settling an estate requires the |
| the death record; various institutions will require | | | | submission of paperwork to each individual |
| such documentation for settling an estate and | | | | institution where an account is held by the |
| you'll find maintaining additional copies will help you | | | | deceased. You'll also need to provide paperwork |
| speed up paperwork. Below are four examples | | | | when requesting a death-related service or |
| when providing a death certificate is required: 1. | | | | benefit. Part of the paperwork requires providing |
| Transporting the body: In most states, the funeral | | | | documentation of the death. Death record policies |
| director will need a copy of the death certificate | | | | vary, so be prepared to provide an official |
| to legally transport the body to the funeral home | | | | certified death certificate copy available by mail or |
| and will file the death certificate with the | | | | in person from the state or county vital records |
| courthouse for legal proof of death. The funeral | | | | agency where the death occurred. |
| director will also need a copy of the death record | | | | Government-certified copies of a death certificate |
| to apply with the health department for a burial | | | | can also be obtained on an expedited basis |
| transit permit. 2. Claiming a life insurance policy: If | | | | through authorized online service providers such |
| your loved one had life insurance, the life | | | | as Since multiple copies are generally required, you |
| insurance company will require an official certified | | | | should determine the number of certificates you |
| death certificate as proof of death when a | | | | will need before you place your order and avoid |
| primary or secondary beneficiary submits a claim. | | | | having to duplicate your order or pay separate |
| Generally speaking, a secondary beneficiary is only | | | | order processing fees. |
| allowed to make a claim if the person listed as | | | | Marty Morgan is an advocate for the vital record |
| the primary beneficiary has also died. In either | | | | industry with an interest birth certificate, death |
| situation, photocopies are considered unacceptable. | | | | certificate, marriage record and divorce record |
| If the death was found not to be from natural | | | | public record searches. |
| causes (such as an accident or a homicide), you | | | | |