A Useful Checklist After The Loss 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, etc.) __ 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 number for the Veterans Affairs Department of Benefits Information and Assistance, 2901 Montopolis in Austin, is (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 officials 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 overinsured or underinsured. Talk to a trusted advisor about what is appropriate and make the necessary adjustments.