Benefits & Practical Matters After a Loss
After the service, a family faces a season of practical tasks — notifications, paperwork, and benefit claims. It is a lot to carry while grieving, so House-Rawlings Funeral Home helps you understand what needs to be done, what benefits may be available, and where to begin.
Social Security Benefits
We report the death to the Social Security Administration on your behalf. Surviving spouses and dependent children may qualify for a one-time death benefit as well as ongoing survivor benefits, and any payments received for the month of death or later must be returned. We will help you understand who to contact and what to ask.
Veterans Benefits
If your loved one served in the armed forces, the family may be entitled to a burial allowance, a government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and military funeral honors. Our staff prepares and files the VA documentation for you — it is one of the ways we honor those who served.
Death Certificates and Notifications
Certified death certificates are needed to claim life insurance, close or retitle accounts, transfer property, and settle the estate — most families need several copies, which we can order for you. We will also help you build a checklist of banks, insurers, employers, and agencies to notify in the weeks ahead.
