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
Obituary
o News item concerning the death of a person which usually includes a brief biographical sketch of the decedent
o Fee depends on newspaper policy
o Houston Chronicle charges $8.16/ column line
Obituary Information
o Vital statistics information (date and place of birth, date & place of death, age)
o Family and survivors
o Biographical information (residence, education, employment)
o Organizations/ Military
o Photograph
o Date, time, and location for visitation, services, and interment
o Special requests
o Memorial contributions and donations
Statement of Funeral Goods and Services Selected
o FTC Funeral Rule requirement
• Itemization of selected goods and services
• Includes cash advance items
• SIGNED BY FAMILY MEMBER AND FUNERAL DIRECTOR
• Present copy to family member
Individual with paramount right of disposition
- Spouse
* Next-of-kin
Should read and sign all
- Authorizations
- Release forms
- Disclosures
Before the family leaves
o Verify date, time, and location for all aspects of arrangements
o Especially time for family viewing & service
o And most important…
o Assure them of your continuing assistance
Visitation
• Time set aside for relatives and friends to pay their last respects for the deceased prior to the funeral or memorial service
o CALLING HOURS
o VISITING HOURS
o WAKE
Preparation of Remains
o After embalming and disinfection
o Dressing
o Cosmetizing
o Casketing
Coordination of Details
o With funeral home personnel o Funeral directors o Attendants o Livery personnel o With clergy o With cemetery or crematory staff o Outer burial container vendor and staff o In addition to… • Fraternal organizations • Military organizations • Speakers • Musicians • Casket bearers
Clergy Record
• Form designed to provide pertinent information about decedent and immediate survivors for use by clergy at the funeral or memorial service
Organize Funeral Home
o Inspect and prepare visitation area • Safety • Cleanliness • Temperature • Lighting • Seating • Physical background • Religious paraphernalia
Placement of Casket
o Spaced evenly on bier o Handles pushed against sides o Especially end handles o Dusted o No fingerprints o Proper lighting
Placement of U.S. Flag
o Foot end of casket o Folded and placed in cap o Draped over closed casket ** Blue field over left shoulder o Pressed prior to use ** NO FLOWERS OR OTHER ITEMS SHOULD EVER BE PLACED ON TOP OF THE FLAG!!!
Arrange Floral Tributes
o Casket spray o Family floral pieces • Sprays o Other flowers and plants o Record receipt of flowers o Ensure card from sender is visible o Use of flower stands or trombones o Larger arrangements on bottom o Coordinate colors
Background music
o Wishes of family
o Special selections
o Appropriate for age of decedent
Register Book
o Book signed by those attending a visitation and/or service
o MEMORIAL BOOK
o Complete statistical data and service information
o Typed or Printed with calligraphy or computer generated
o Ensure enough pages for signatures
o Place in visitation room prior to family coming in
Placement of Register Stand
o Convenient and accessible for all persons
o Entrance of parlor or chapel
o Use of wall or portable register stand
Sign Board
o Name of decedent o Visitation room or parlor o Service information o Individual name board o Large sign board o Computer software
Placement of Accessory Items
o Display of family pictures and other memorabilia
o Discuss during arrangement conference
o Family may prefer to arrange themselves
o Use of magnetic board, table, ect.
o PRAYER CARDS
o MASS CARDS
o SPIRITUAL BOUQUET
o Donation envelopes
o Service organizations, medical research facilities, ect.
o For memorial contributions requested by the family
o Place near register book or other location
o MEMORIAL FOLDER
o SERVICE FOLDER
Prayer Cards
- Card with name of decedent and a prayer or verse
- May include dates of birth and death
- Often placed by register book
Mass Cards
- Document indicating the offering of a Mass for a specific intention
- Repose of soul of decedent
Spiritual Bouquet
- Blank cards usually available
* Near register book or other location
Memorial Folder
• Pamphlet made available at the visitation or funeral service giving details about decedent and funeral arrangements
Service Folder
• Near register book or distributed by staff
Receiving Visitors
o Family’s first viewing of decedent
o Funeral director escorts family to casket
o Ensure satisfaction with clothing, cosmetics, and placement of flowers
o Arrange pictures and memorabilia
o Show restrooms, lounge, ect.
Public Viewing and Visitation
Direct visitors to proper area
Provide assistance as needed
Invite visitors to sign register book
Ceremonies and Services
Rosary, Masonic, etc
Coordinate details with officiant(s)
Ensure availability of service items (fern or green leaves for Masonic service, etc)
Assist with service and dismissal
Ending the Visitation
Never Force Family To Leave!!!
Do NOT turn off lights or heating/air conditioning
Remind by verifying service details
Livery, pick-up, order of cars, etc
Importance of Attendants
Dress and appearance Professional Well-groomed Showered Deodorant Neat hair Clean and pressed garments Shined shoes ........ Courtesy and friendliness Polite Outgoing ....... Willingness to help Introduced to family by funeral director Immediate response to requests for assistance Visitors in wheelchairs, small children, etc
Familiarity with:
Facility
Funeral home procedures
Family
Funeral home liability for procession
Relationship between funeral director and drivers
Agency vs. non-agency
Funeral home should ensure safety of all drivers
