Support Services

At Powers Funeral Home, we are very familiar with all the administrative requirements that surround a person’s death. Those requirements can be overwhelming for any grieving family, so we like to relieve as much of that burden as possible by taking on the administrative duties imposed by the state and other authorities.Information needed for the death certificateIn order to complete and file the death certificate, we will need some personal information about your loved one. This includes:

• Full name and address
• Social security number
• Marital status at time of death
• Race/ethnicityDate and city of birth
• Highest level of educationOccupation and employer
• Father’s name, mother’s name (including maiden name)Name of surviving spouse (including maiden name)

• If you would like us to help you with all or some of the other legalities, we will need to have access to documents such as:
• Last will and testament
• Bank account statements; tax returns
• Life insurance policies and beneficiary designationsReal estate deeds; car and boat deedsStock and bond certificates
• Pre- and post-nuptial agreements
• Loans and leases
• Copies of utility bills, phone bills, etc

Our services include but are not limited to: 

• Arranging a discussion with your family to gather the information needed for the death certificate and obituary and to notify organizations like Social Security, employers, banks and insurance companies. 
• Composing an obituary with the information provided, including information about the service, the deceased and surviving relatives, and sending the completed obituary to relevant newspapers and posting it on our website. 
• Filling out and filing all the necessary paperwork (like the death certificate) with the proper authorities and within the stipulated time limits.
•  Obtaining medical certification, permits and authorizations associated with the death registration system and burial or cremation. 
• Obtaining certified copies of the certificate of death for your family.
•  Filing a statement of death with the Social Security Administration on your family’s behalf so you can claim social security benefits (if eligible).
•  Making arrangements with any special groups (military, fraternal, etc.) to be present at or participate in the funeral service or memorial. 
• Helping you file for veterans’ benefits (where appropriate) and obtaining a US Flag for the next of kin. 
• Helping you complete and file life insurance claims and deal with any other organizations that provide death or survivor benefits.
• Putting you in touch with local reputable organizations that offer grief and crisis support.

 Note: some of these services are included in the cost of the funeral. Others are subject to an additional fee.