The Paperwork You Need When Someone Dies
When a loved one dies, one of the most important things to do before you even begin planning a memorial or funeral is to ensure that you have all of the right paperwork. There are a few pieces of official paperwork that you will have to get with the help of a professional, but others you can do yourself. We will take a look at the most important official papers that you will need to consider after a loved one dies.
Immediate Papers
If you are the executor of the estate, you will need to obtain the death certificate as well as the employer identification number for the estate. These are vital pieces of paper that will allow you to take charge of the estate and do as your loved one wished when it comes to the will. Most institutions, from veteran’s affairs and even funeral homes, require a copy of the death certificate. This is why it can be a good idea to get at least a dozen official copies. You can obtain the employer identification number with a lawyer and they will require a few other documents.
Identification of Deceased
You will need to find some form of identification for the deceased in order to get the entire process rolling. There are many options for ID and they include a passport, official state ID, driver’s license, social security card, military papers, birth certificates, and many other options. If you are not sure about the right identification, ask a Colonie, NY cremation services provider for help.
Funeral Arrangement Paperwork
If the loved one pre-planned their arrangements, you will need to find this paperwork. Even if the entire thing is not pre-planned, your loved one might have left certain instructions which you want to keep in mind as you begin to make funeral arrangements. They may also have left information to add to the obituary or their preference for donations instead of flowers and other similar details.
Will and Estate Information
The next step is to find the paperwork that deals with the estate and the person’s will. This will ensure that everything they wanted is taken care of. If your loved one had a lawyer, be sure to call them immediately. If they did not, then start searching in the home, in safety deposit boxes or anywhere else they might have placed the will. This is probably where you will also find other important papers too, like organ donation information.
All of these pieces of paperwork are vital to the process of arranging for a funeral or memorial service. You need to apply to become the executor of the estate if you are not already so, and begin searching for proper identification of the deceased as well as their last will and testament. You can always ask for help from a lawyer or even from the funeral home. Start the process by calling McVeigh Funeral Home, Inc., located at 208 N Allen St, Albany, NY 12206. Contact them at (518) 489-0188.
