Why You May NOT Want to Pre-Pay for your Cremation or Funeral

 

cremation budget control - affordable cremation in st petersburg florida
cremation budget control – affordable cremation in st petersburg florida

Do I Pre-Pay Cremation or Put money Aside?

Pre-Paid Cremation or Funeral? Paying ahead for your funeral or having a pre-paid Cremation may seem like a responsible and thoughtful decision, but it can actually come with a number of risks and drawbacks. For one, funeral and cremation costs can be difficult to predict, and there’s a chance that the funeral home you prepay with could go out of business before you pass away. In addition, if you move or change your mind about the arrangements you want, it may be difficult or even impossible to get your money back. Usually Merchandise is Non-Refundable, but services may be.

It’s often better to simply set aside funds for your funeral in a separate account or trust, which can be used to cover the costs when the time comes. This gives you more flexibility and control over your final arrangements, and ensures that your loved ones won’t be left with unexpected expenses or complications.

Funeral homes can go out of business or if the funeral home mismanaged your prepaid funds for whatever reason and was unable to cover agreed upon funeral expenses, you may not have an easy time recovering those funds. Florida has rules and laws governing these funds but it’s not always easy or fast to get reimbursed by the state trust fund. You will have to place a claim against the Florida Prepaid Trust fund.

THIS IS DIRECTLY FROM THE FLORIDA FUNERAL TRUST PAGE!

In certain instances, a claim may be filed against the Preneed Funeral Contract Consumer Protection Trust Fund (“CPTF”) if the seller of a preneed contract subsequently goes out of business and/or becomes insolvent and will not or cannot perform on the preneed contract. The CPTF is a trust fund established by section 497.456, Florida Statutes.  The amount, if any, that is paid on a claim against the CPTF is controlled by section 497.456, Florida Statutes, and rule 69K-10.002, Florida Administrative Code. The amount paid on a claim is never more (and is often less) than the net amount actually paid for the preneed contract, based upon the provisions of the referenced statute and rule.

Additional information about claims that may be filed under the Preneed Funeral Contract Consumer Protection Trust Fund may be obtained by reviewing the statute and rule cited above, or by contacting the Division at 850-413-3039.

How Do I Set Aside Funds

So to make it easy, make sure you Next of Kin and Family know that you have set funds aside. Also give them the contact info to what Cremation Facility or Funeral Home you want to use. If you decide what Crematory or Funeral home you want to use, simply call them and ask them to send you business cards and forms so you can forward them to your family. Maybe make a file folder and give it to each family member you want involved.  Let them know what bank the money is in and put the person in charge as a copayer on the account Or the family member can pay-at-the-time-of-need and then get reimbursed by the estate.

HOW WE CAN MAKE IT EASIER..

At Going Home Cremation, we will help you by giving you forms to fill out ahead of time to keep and pass on to your family. We do not require Pre Payment and even if we have no pre-payment we will take your body into our care and then reach out to the family member that the hospital or hospice gives us. The most important forms are.

  1. The Vital Statistics Form is something you should have on file at ALL TIMES. This gives your family all of the information that the Cremation facility or Funeral Home will need. Be very careful where you keep this form. It has some very private information.
  2. The Cremation Authorization Form. You can fill this form out ahead of time, have it witnessed and then keep it in your file. That ensures that your family has no question as to your choice for cremation.

Just as you would with any prepaid funeral it is your responsibility to let your caregivers know what Cremation Facility you want to use, whether it is prepaid or not. They need to be able to contact someone 24/7.

Going Home Cremations will usually take you into our care within 2 hours of the hospital, nursing home or hospice call to us.  We will contact the NOK the following day.

If you have any question please feel free to reach us at 727-800-6819  WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!

How Many Death Certificate Do I need?

The Documents And Forms Needed For The Cremation Process In Florida
The Documents And Forms Needed For The Cremation Process In Florida

How Many Death Certificates Will I need after Cremation or Burial?

Are you feeling overwhelmed and unsure about how many death certificates you will need after the passing of a loved one? Was your loved one Cremated? If the loved one was cremated, you will need the death certificate and the cremation certificate. If you are asking this question, you’re not alone. It’s a common question that comes up during this difficult time. Was you loved one just Cremated with Going Home Cremation Services? Call us if you need immediate help!

If the loved one was Buried, you will need the death certificate and the burial certificate. In this blog post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about death certificates, including why you need them, how many are typically required, and where to get them. So sit back and take a deep breath – we’ve got all the information you need to make this process as smooth as possible. We are here for you!

cremation budget control - affordable cremation in sarasota florida
cremation budget control – affordable cremation in sarasota florida

HERE IS A SHORT LIST OF THE MOST COMMON THINGS YOU WILL NEED A CERTIFIED COPY OF A DEATH CERTIFICATE FOR.

1. If you have an AUTOMOBILE that you need to change title for.

2. If you have a HOME that you need to transfer title for.

3. Each BANK will need a death Certificate for transfer of funds.

4. Each INSURANCE COMPANY will need a death Certificate in order to pay claims.

5. If you are a SURVIVOR of a DEATH of a loved one, you will need a death Certificate to receive any benefits that may be available to you.

6. If you are the NEXT OF KIN of a deceased person, you will need a death Certificate to inherit any property or assets that may be left behind.

7. If you are the MARRIED PARTNER of a deceased person, you will need a death Certificate to receive any marital assets or property. If you are the NEXT OF KIN of someone who has died, you will need a death Certificate in order to inherit any property or money that may be left behind.

Why Do I Need A Death Certificate from the Crematory that Cremated my loved one?

If you are looking to obtain a death certificate, the Crematory or Funeral Homes name will be on the death certificate so that anyone could contact that company in the future if more are needed.

For example, if you are thinking about selling your home and want to make sure the title is clear, the Crematory that cremated your loved one would be the company you would need to contact. For example, if your loved one was cremated with Going Home Cremation Services, the Crematory name would be on the death certificate.  The Funeral Home or Crematory is responsible for issuing the death certificate and should be contacted in order to get a copy of the death certificate. The first step is to determine how many copies you need. The number of copies you will need depends on a variety of factors, including how many agencies or institutions require the death certificate and how many family members or beneficiaries you have.

Generally speaking, you will need at least two copies of the death certificate: one for the funeral home and one for yourself. You may also need additional copies for financial institutions, government agencies, employers, and other organizations. It is always a good idea to order more copies than you think you will need, as you may find yourself needing them down the road.

Death certificates typically cost around $25 per copy, but this fee can vary depending on your state or county of residence. You can usually order death certificates through the funeral home that is handling arrangements, or directly through your state or county vital records office.

Call us at Going Home Cremation 727-800-6819 if you used our crematory. We can help you order the necessary copies and make the process as smooth as possible.

How Many Should I Buy OR can I make a COPY?

Normally, anything official will require an ORIGINAL Certified Death Certificate!  A  CERTIFIED COPY of a death certificate is one that has a stamp or seal on it. This makes it an official certified copy and can be used to transfer tile of almost anything. Photo copies are usually NOT accepted except for credit cards, simple accounts or other accounts that have no transfer of title.

If you are the executor or administrator of an estate, you will likely need to obtain one or more death certificates. The number of death certificates you will need depends on a variety of factors, including the size and complexity of the estate, the jurisdiction in which the estate is being administered, and your personal preferences.

In most cases, you will at least need one certified copy of the death certificate to file with the court. You may also need additional copies to distribute to banks, investment firms, and other institutions with which the deceased person did business. And if any assets are held jointly with another person, you will probably need to provide a copy of the death certificate to the co-owner.

The best way to determine how many death certificates you will need is to consult with the Crematory or Call us at Going Home Cremation or you can contact Going Home Cremation for a free, no obligation consultation.an experienced probate attorney in your jurisdiction. He or she can advise you on the specific requirements for administering an estate in your state or county.

 

How to Get a Death Certificate

If you need a death certificate for legal or personal purposes, you can obtain one from the vital records office in the state where the death occurred, or you can contact us. You will need to provide the decedent’s full name and date of death, as well as your relationship to the decedent. There may be a fee for the certificate. Call us at Going Home Cremation Services and we can help you step by step if we handled the Cremation Services. We can order the death certificates for you and then have them mailed to your home. It is quite a daunting task trying to get your own certificate. Sometimes this can take up your whole day , if not even more.  Since covid some Vital Statistics office will require an appointment scheduled and may be booked out for weeks.

 

Where to Get a Death Certificate

The first place to start when you are trying to obtain a death certificate is the funeral home that handled the arrangements. The funeral home will usually have a copy of the death certificate on file. If you are unable to obtain a copy from the funeral home, you can contact the Vital Records office in the state where the death occurred. Each state has different requirements for obtaining a death certificate, so be sure to check with the Vital Records office before making any requests.

When to Get a Certified Certificate

If you are the executor of an estate, you will need to obtain several certified copies of the death certificate. How many depends on the size and complexity of the estate, as well as the laws of the state where the deceased resided.

You will need at least one certified copy to file with the probate court, and additional copies may be required to settle debts and transfer property. It is a good idea to order more than you think you will need, as they can take time to process and receive.

The Cost of each Certified Copy.

A death certificate is an official document that is issued by the government to record a person’s death. The cost of a death certificate varies depending on the state in which you live, but it typically ranges from $10 to $30. In some states, you may be able to get a discount if you order multiple copies. Pinellas County Death Certficates through Going Home Cremation is $25.00 per certfied copy.

How to Obtain a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate.

If you need a certified copy of a death certificate, you can usually get one from the funeral home or cremation provider that handled the arrangements. If they are unable to provide you with a certified copy, you can contact the vital records office in the county where the death occurred. You will need to provide them with the deceased individual’s full name, date of death, and place of death, as well as your relationship to the deceased. There is usually a fee for obtaining a certified copy of a death certificate.

Call Going Home Services at 727-800-6819 to ask for help.

If you are cremating your loved one, you will need to acquire a death certificate. You can obtain a certificate by calling Going Home Cremation at 727-800-6819. We

will be able to help you acquire the death certificate and any other documents you may need.

Veteran Cremation Benefits in Florida

 

Veteran Cremation Benefits
Veteran Cremation Benefits

If you or your loved one is US Veteran you are entitled to certain benefits upon death. One of the most surprising aspects is that cremation will not be covered by the US government unless your loved one passes away due to a service-related death.

Before you will be applying for the free veteran benefits, you will need to figure out where your loved one with be cremated. The most cost-effective cremation option is called direct cremation. A direct cremation is a cremation where there will be no viewing of your loved one’s body. However, you can still have service once your loved one is cremated. Once your loved one is cremated there are benefits, they will receive a free plot at the Florida National Cemetery.

  • Florida National Cemeteries will provide all of the items for you at the graveside when you attend the Inurnment Service. The memorial Certificate will be mailed at a later date.
  • The direct cremation facility can provide the necessary info and phone numbers to Families of Veteran Cremation Services. At Going Home Cremation, we can work with you to give all the necessary information.
  • You will need the Veterans DD214 (discharge papers). If you do not have this form, you can call your local Veterans administration to acquire that. If your Veteran has attended a VA hospital or VA doctor recently the VA can identify your loved on through their medical records.

Additional Free Veterans Cremation Service Benefits:

  • Burial flags, provided for free, drape the casket or urn of a service member who served honorably in the military.

    Veterans Cremation Service Benefits
    Veterans Cremation Service Benefits
  • Presidential Memorial Certificate — Provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Presidential Memorial Certificate is a gold-embossed paper certificate available to next of kin and loved ones of deceased service members It is signed by the current president of the United States to honor the memory of honorably discharged veterans.
  • Government-furnished gravesite — The Department of Veterans Affairs’ burial services for eligible veterans include a gravesiteat any Department of Veterans Affairs national cemetery, based on space.
  • Government-furnished headstones and markers — The Department of Veterans Affairs will furnish a free government headstone or markerfor the grave of any deceased eligible veteran in any cemetery around the world. Headstones and markers are also available for eligible spouses and dependents of veterans in a national, military installation or state veteran cemetery.

It is important to pick a direct cremation facility that has familiarity in guiding families in how to appropriately request the veteran cremation benefits.

What is included in Veteran Cremation Benefits

Veteran Cremation Benefits

It is important to understand the veteran burial benefits that are available to all US eligible veterans. It’s a complicated process to understand all the benefits and it is suggested to work with a cremation facility that is well versed in veteran cremation benefits.

veteran cremation in florida

It can sometimes be difficult to know who qualifies for veteran benefits. ID cards are issued for other military benefits.

Here is a list of basic qualifications:

  • Military members on active duty.
  • Members of the active (drilling) National Guard or Reserves.
  • Retired active-duty members. Active-duty members can retire after performing at least 20 years of active-duty service.
  • Retired National Guard and Reserve members who are receiving retired pay.
  • Veterans who have received the Medal of Honor.
  • Honorably discharged veterans who have been rated as 100 percent disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) due to a service-related injury.
  • Dependents of those listed here. Dependents include a veteran’s spouse and children.

As a US veteran, there are many benefits that are given to deceased veterans. One of the hardest parts is figuring out how to get the burial benefits our veterans deserve. Some of the veteran benefits are explained below:

  1. Burial benefits available include a gravesite in any of 153 national cemeteries with available space, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care.
  2. Government headstone or markera burial flag,and a Presidential Memorial Certificate.
  3. Some Veterans may also be eligible for burial allowance.
  4. Cremated remains are buried or inurned in national cemeteries in the same manner and with the same honors as casketed remains.
  5. Burial benefits available for spouses and dependents buried in a national cemetery include burial with the Veteran, perpetual care, and the spouse or dependent name and date of birth and death will be inscribed on the Veteran’s headstone, at no cost to the family. Eligible spouses and dependents may be buried, even if they predecease the Veteran.