In the aftermath of a beloved family member’s death,
funeral planning near Tacoma can feel understandably overwhelming. Determining what to
do with his or her finances after you have finished planning funeral services
can seem like an additional burden. Keep reading for a simple checklist.
Obtain Death Certificates
After your loved one or spouse has died, your first endeavors should involve
funeral planning and seeking grief counseling services for your entire
family. But do not delay in organizing your loved one’s financial
affairs. If you are an executor or spouse, your first order of business
should be to obtain 10-20 copies of the death certificate. You will need
to provide these to creditors, financial institutions, and government agencies.
Secure Letters of Administration
Before you reach out to people and companies with whom your loved one
did business while alive, you must first prove that you have a
legal right to wrap up your loved one’s affairs. After selecting a burial plot at the cemetery or planning a cremation
ceremony, make sure to obtain letters of administration. If your loved
one named you as an executor, you can obtain these letters from the local
courthouse or city hall where your family member last lived before passing.
Seek Legal Advice
After the passing of a loved one, it is important to seek advice from
an experienced attorney. While many people initially hesitate to hire
a lawyer due to the expense, consulting an attorney right away can save
an estate thousands of dollars later on. If you or a family member has
been appointed executor of an estate, you can be exposed to litigation
if you do not follow the terms of a will exactly.
Mountain View Funeral Home, Memorial Park & Crematory has years of
experience caring for families near Tacoma after the death of a loved
one. We offer a
wide range of funeral services and funeral planning services for all budgets. Find out more about planning
a funeral or take advantage of our grief counseling services by calling
us at (253) 584-0252.