Unpleasant, but Unavoidable: Formalities and Paperwork

When a loved one dies, those left behind are confronted with many formalities. At ANDREWS & HARDY FUNERAL HOME we are here to help you with words and deeds. After all, we know the importance of the process of mourning and will do our best to allow you to say goodbye to your loved one in peace.

A sample of the services we provide on request:

• Ordering copies of death certificates and obtaining death records from the Office of Vital Records
• Selecting a burial site and obtaining a burial permit
  
• Scheduling a clergyman or other public speaker for the funeral service
  
• Notifying the health insurance company of the death and applying for any applicable benefits
• Notifying retirement funds of the death and applying for a continuation of retirement payments in advance of the widow's or widower's retirement plan
• Notifying employers
• Deregistration from local authorities, retirement plans etc.  
• Registering the deceased for the "do not call list" to avoid unsolicited advertisements 
• Filing for life insurance claims

In order to be able to handle official tasks for you, we need the following documents:

• Identification of the deceased (passport, driver's license, state ID card, etc.)
• For singles or minors: a certified birth certificate copy
• For married couples: a certified marriage certificate copy
• For divorced couples: a legal divorce decree or certified copy of an excerpt from Vital Records
• For widowers: a certified copy of an excerpt from Vital Records showing the spouse has died, or a certified marriage certificate copy and the spouse's death certificate 
• Insurance card from the respective health insurance company 
• Notice of retirement benefits (insurance policy number), if already retired
• Other insurance policy documents, e.g. life insurance
• Membership or contribution records from other associations, unions and organizations granting death benefits or assistance 
• Preplanned funeral agreements, if available
• Last will or deposit certificate for the local court or notary 
• A burial certificate, if available
• Bequest agreement for maintenance of the grave site, if available
• All documents issued by a physician, especially the death certificate

If official documents have been lost, we will obtain new copies of them for you.