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