Mortuary Admin Exam 2 Flashcards
Social Security Administration
“Statement of Death by Funeral Director”
**Form SSA-721
SSA-721
o Completion is voluntary o Courtesy to the family o Ensures payment of survivor’s benefits o Prevents payment of monthly benefits to decedent o Return next benefits check
Social Security Available Benefits
** $255 lump sum death benefit
o Monthly benefits
o For eligible survivors/dependents
Information for completion of SSA-721
o Decedent’s information
• Name, social security number, date of death, date of birth, and gender
o Survivor’s information (widow or widower)
• Name, address, and telephone number
o Funeral director or firm
• Name, address, telephone number, and signature
Filing SSA-721
** Statute of limitations:
** Two (2) years from date of death
o Survivors still need to apply for benefits
o Contact local Social Security office
o Mailed or faxed to SSA
Obtaining SSA-721
o Available at local SSA office
o Information form attached
o Give to family
o Funeral home computer software
Veterans Administration
o Available benefits: o U.S. flag o Headstone or grave marker o Burial allowance o Presidential Memorial Certificate o Burial in a National Cemetery
U.S. Flag
o “Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes”
** VA Form 21-2008
o Issued at U.S. Postal Service offices
o National Cemetery offices
o VA regional offices
** Statute of limitations: None
***certain persons who served in the organized military forces of the Commonwealth of the Philippines while in service of the U.S. Armed Forces and who died on or after April 25, 1951
Headstone or Grave Marker
o “Application for Standard Government Headstone or Marker”
** VA Form 40-1330
o VA delivers to cemetery
o Family pays installation costs
** Statute of limitations: None
o Not required for burial in National Cemetery
**Public Law 110-157, signed on Dec. 26, 2007, allows the Dept. of Veterans Affairs to furnish a Government headstone or marker for the graves of eligible veterans who died on or after Nov. 1, 1990, regardless of whether the grave is already marked with a privately purchased headstone or marker. Under the previous law, when the grave was already marked, only veterans who died on or after Sept. 11, 2001 were eligible
Burial Allowance
o “Application for Burial Benefits”
*** VA Form 21-530
Service-Related Death
VA will pay up to $2000 toward burial expenses for deaths on or after Sept. 11, 2001. VA will pay up to $1500 for deaths prior to Sept. 10, 2001;
o If veterans’ death is service connected
o May pay transportation of remains
• Service disabled Veterans
• To nearest National Cemetery
• Decedent’s Home
• No time limit for filing
Non-service Related Death $300
Va will pay up to $300 toward burial and funeral expenses, and a $300 plot-interment allowance for deaths on or after Dec. 1, 2001o For Veterans who at time of death
• Entitled to receive
• Pension
• Compensation
• Also death in a VA facility
• Transportation of remains may be available
• Must be filed 2 years from burial/ cremation
Non-service Related Death $150
The plot-interment allowance for deaths prior to Dec. 1, 2001
o Veterans not buried in
o U.S. Government Cemetery
Burial Allowance Filing
o Requires certified copy of death certificate
o Unless veteran died in VA facility
o Copy of funeral bill
*** Statute of limitations: Two (2) years from date of final disposition
Presidential Memorial Certificate
o Provided to any family member
o Send request to the VA
*** Statute of limitations: None
** VA Form 40-0247
National Cemetery
• Cemetery created and maintained under an Act of Congress for the burial of veterans of military service and their eligible family members
Burial in a National Cemetery Includes
- Burial plot
- Grave liner
- Headstone
- Columbarium niche
Eligibility Requirements for Burial in National Cemetery
o Active duty in United States Armed Forces
o From date of induction until discharged
o After September 1980, must serve minimum of 24 months of active duty
o For National Guard and Reserves
• Retirement after 20 years creditable service
• Or on active duty at time of death
o “Discharged under conditions other than dishonorable”
• Verified by obtaining copy of Veteran’s Service Record
** VA Form DD-214
• Or discharge papers
o Others eligible for burial:
** Spouse- surviving spouses of veterans who died on or after January 1, 2000 do not loose eligibility for burial in a national cemetery if they remarry
• Children under age 23
• Grown and dependent children
Arlington National Cemetery
o Jurisdiction of Department of the Army
o Additional eligibility requirements
Death Notice
o Usually a classified (paid) notice publicizing death of a person and giving details of funeral service that the survivors wish to have published
