SOCIAL SECURITY

The Social Security Act provides for the payment of survivors’ benefits to certain relatives if they fall into one of the following categories:
• Widow(er) age 60 or older.
• Widow(er) at any age caring for the deceased’s children under age 16 or disabled.
• Widow(er) or divorced spouse age 50 or older if disabled.
• Children up to age 18 or under age 19 if in high school full time.
• Any Child over age 18, if they became disabled prior to age 22.
• A Divorced spouse of the deceased age 60 or older married 10 years or more.

In addition to the monthly benefits, special one-time payment of $255 can be paid to a spouse who was living with the deceased at the time of death, or if there is none, to a spouse or a child/children eligible for benefits.
Within 30 days from the date of death, you should receive a letter from Social Security. This letter will provide further instruction concerning applying for entitled benefits. You can apply for benefits by phone or at any Social Security office.

If the deceased was receiving Social Security benefits, any checks that arrive after the death must be returned. If benefit checks were being directly deposited, then the bank would also need to be notified.

For questions concerning eligibility, claims and entitled benefits, visit the Social Security Administration Florida Regional Page or Social Security’s main website: www.ssa.gov.

WHAT TO DO WHEN A DEATH OCCURS

What should I do when a sudden death occurs in my family?
Most funeral homes are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At Van Orsdel Family Funeral Chapels, we are no exception. When a sudden death occurs, contact the funeral home. We will assist in making all necessary arrangements for receiving your loved one into our care. One of our funeral directors will contact the immediate family at a convenient time, to set up an appointment to finalize the arrangements.

Will some one come right away?
If you request immediate assistance, yes. If the family wishes to spend a short time with the deceased to say goodbye, it is acceptable. We will come when your time is right.

If a loved one dies out of state, can the local funeral home still help?
Yes, we can assist you with out-of-state arrangements, either to transfer your loved one to another state or from another state and into our care.

What should I do if a death occurs while I am away traveling?
Contact the funeral home immediately. We will make all the necessary arrangements of transporting your loved one back into our care. One of our funeral directors will assist you with the final arrangements.

What if a death occurs while traveling outside the U.S.?
If a family member dies while traveling outside the United States, the U.S. Embassy will come to your assistance. You should call the funeral home immediately when a death occurs abroad. We are well versed in the procedures for returning the deceased to the United States.

GENERAL FAQ’S
What purpose does a funeral serve? For thousands of years, funerals have been a means of expressing our beliefs, thoughts, and feelings about the death of someone we love.

The funeral ceremony:
• Helps us acknowledge that someone we love has passed away.
• Allows us to say goodbye.
• Provides a social support system for us and other friends and family members.
• Allows us to search for the meaning of life and death.
• Offers continuity and hope for the living.

Meaningful funeral ceremonies are rites of passage. They help us move from life before death to life after death.

The funeral provides a safe place to express our feelings of loss.

What do funeral directors do?
Funeral directors are caregivers and administrators. They make the arrangements for transportation of the body, complete all necessary paperwork, and implement the choices made by the family regarding the funeral and final disposition of the body. Funeral directors are listeners, advisors, and supporters. They have experience assisting the bereaved in coping with death. Funeral directors are trained to answer questions about grief, recognize when a person is having difficulty coping, and recommend sources of professional help. Funeral directors also link survivors with support groups at the funeral home or in the community.

Why have a public viewing?
Viewing is part of many cultural and ethnic traditions. Many grief specialists believe that a viewing aids the grief process by helping the bereaved recognize the reality of death. Viewing is encouraged for children, as long as the process is explained and their willingness to participate is voluntary.

What is the purpose of embalming?
Embalming sanitizes and preserves the body, slows down the decompositions process, and enhances the appearance of the body. Embalming makes it possible to lengthen the time between death and the final disposition, thus allowing family members time to arrange and participate in the type of service most comforting to them.

Can funeral homes provide cremation services?
Yes, most funeral homes offer cremation as a choice of final disposition. At Van Orsdel Family Funeral Chapels we take care of all the necessary arrangements, and include the option of using a chapel or viewing room for the service.

Are there fewer service options if cremation is chosen?
Choosing cremation does not minimize your options in any way. Should you decide on cremation, you may still have a traditional funeral service. As with all funeral arrangements, the type of service, and all other choices are left to you and your loved ones.

What do people do with cremated remains?
There are endless choices for the final disposition of cremated remains. A family can keep their loved one’s ashes in an urn in their home, they can be buried in a cemetery, or even dispersed at sea in a scattering ceremony. The choice is yours our funeral directors can help you find the option that is best for you and your family.

Are funerals expensive?
No. In comparison with other major life cycle events, like births and weddings, funerals are not expensive. A wedding costs at least three times as much; but because it is a happy event, wedding costs are rarely criticized. A funeral home is a 24-hour, labor-intensive business, with extensive facilities (viewing rooms, chapels, limousines, hearses, etc.); these expenses must be factored into the cost of a funeral. Moreover, the cost of a funeral includes not only merchandise, like caskets, but also the services of a funeral director in making arrangements; filing appropriate forms; dealing with doctors, ministers, florists, newspapers, and others; and seeing to all the necessary details. Contrary to popular belief, funeral homes are largely family-owned with a modest profit margin. According to statistics derived from NFDA, the average cost of a funeral in July 2004 was $6,500.

What recourse does a consumer have for poor service or overcharging?
Funeral service is regulated by the FTC and state licensing boards. In most cases, the consumer should discuss problems with the funeral director first. If the dispute cannot be solved by talking with the funeral director, the consumer may wish to contact the State of State of Florida Department of Financial Services.

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