My father died suddenly yesterday. He is a vet and he recieved disability checks. He had no life insurance I have no family that is going to help me with the funeral expenses. I think that he is elegable for va burial assistance, but I am just wondering who do I contact first and how do I go about starting the planning? Do I start calling to va and ss first? Or do I first start trying to locate a funeral home and explain to them my financial limits? Any sincere help would be deeply appreciated.
2007-02-11 11:32:41 · 8 answers · asked by joyce 5 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
I am truly sorry for your loss. My dad was a vet too and he received a plot, liner and headstone (plate) in a veterans cemetary. You should contact a reputable funeral home. You will need a copy of his military discharge certificate. If you don't have this then there will be a delay.. The director of the home will be able to make the arraingment for the certificates but having the discharge paper will help. Be prepared to spend for a casket, transportation, and preparations. The fees for us were by the day.
Being a veteran he is entitled to a military service. Call your local veterans (VA) and they can explain the procedures. And God Bless You and thank-you for a father who served our country!
2007-02-11 11:57:50 · answer #1 · answered by segabill 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I work at a funeral home and I personally would call a locally owned place and explain your situation. We work with the families in any way we can without expecting payment up front. Social Security doesn't pay anything anymore unless you are a dependant under 18 years of age. I believe that the VA would kick in some money and maybe your state or county would also. The funeral home should know who you can contact. Hope this helps you out.
2007-02-11 11:40:33 · answer #2 · answered by Lisa C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm very sorry about the lose of your father. I'm sorry you have no one to help you with the arrangements, but I will try to answer the best I can, even though I'm from Canada.
When my father-in-law died, we had him cremated, and that gave us the time to figure out what we were going to do for a service. Maybe that's an option?
We placed the obituary in the paper and ran it for 5 weeks, we spoke with an estates lawyer and started going through his stuff. My husband was executor and we had to get a death certificate and a notarized copy before we were able to do anything, even plan the service, because the funeral home had to be sure someone could pay for everything.
I would think you would need to establish the executor and get the death certificate before you can do any enquiries to VA or SS. They won't give answers out to just anyone. Make sure you cease his disability cheques, as they will claw them back if they are cashed after he has passed.
Good luck. The cremation at least allowed us to have the time to plan and let everyone know what had happened, and then we had the service 1 month later.
2007-02-11 11:46:33 · answer #3 · answered by laura g 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If he was a veteran you can have him buried at a veteran's cemetery at no cost for the grave, burial vault and marker. You will have to pay for transportation there. You will have to pay the funeral home for any services you have done there and for the casket (unless you supply your own casket.)
Best place to start is to call the funeral home of your choice. If you prefer a locally owned one, avoid any that says (honored dignity provider) in their advertisements or signage. The "Dignity" funeral homes are all owned by Service Corporation International.
Be sure all costs are clearly explained to you and they offer something you can afford. Don't be afraid to shop several places if you are not comfortable with the first one.
2007-02-11 11:55:07 · answer #4 · answered by J. B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first get the death certificate and duplicates and have a funeral home help you with the rest. they will transfer your dear father to the home for embalming, cremation etc. yes, a vet burial is covered. the funeral home will assist you in all those things and help you regarding expenses. they deal with this every day love.
so sorry for your loss. :( peace
2007-02-11 11:42:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am so sorry. Call a cemetary that buries VA's, they have discounts. Then call SS so they can stop the checks. If you dont call them and they still send checks you'll have to pay that back. Good Luck.
2007-02-12 04:09:02 · answer #6 · answered by Mammamia3 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
im sorry to hear that. um i think you should go to the funeral home and just tell them your situation and they should be able to tell you what to do and maybe point you in the right direction
good luck
2007-02-11 11:36:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sorry for your loss. the funeral director can answer all your questions.
2007-02-11 11:37:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋