Bereavement

Your chosen funeral home will notify Social Security of the death by filing Form 2872.

The deceased person’s family must contact the local Social Security Office to determine if additional benefits are due. Apply as soon as possible after the death. In some cases, benefits begin with the date of application rather than the date of death.

You can apply for benefits by telephone. Social Security will mail you a completed application for your review and signature. Return the signed application with the necessary requested records. The records will be returned to you after the application has been processed.

The Social Security Administration can be contacted by telephone at (800) 772-1213, online at www.ssa.gov, or in person at the following locations:

Las Vegas

120 South Buffalo Drive, Suite 150 Las Vegas, NV 89117

North Las Vegas

4340 Simmons Street North Las Vegas, NV 89032

Henderson

10416 S. Eastern Avenue Henderson, NV 89052

Allow yourself time for quiet and reflection – prayer, mediation, yoga, etc. By making this a priority, you can cultivate a positive perspective and encourage inner peace.

Seek comfort and support from those you trust. We all need someone to whom we can turn. A good doctor, pastor, or support group can be beneficial. You may want to consider adopting a dog or a cat they have an amazing capacity for unconditional love and acceptance. Be honest about your needs-both with yourself and with others. Let people know the best ways for them to support you.

Read books on loss and coping with grief. Writing in a journal can help identify feelings and track your healing progress. Recording your thoughts and experiences is a way to keep a verbal journal.

Cultivate a simple, enjoyable routine of diet, exercise, rest, and relaxation. Your emotional well-being is closely related to your physical health.

Reach out to others in need. Volunteering can add meaning to your life and give you great satisfaction.

All claims for Veterans Benefits should be made immediately after a veteran’s death. Dependents, widows and/or children should visit the Nevada Department of Veterans Services office to complete the claim forms. In all cases, a certified copy of the death certificate is required. Claim processing takes approximately 30 days.

The Nevada Department of Veterans Services can be contacted by telephone at (702) 224-6025, online at www.veterans.nv.gov, or in person at:

Veterans Advocacy and Support Team (VAST) Las Vegas

(inside the VA Hospital in North Las Vegas)

6900 N. Pecos Road, Room IC237, North Las Vegas, NV 89086

The following or some of the things that will need to be completed according to your specific needs:

Government Agencies

• Notify the local Social Security office (see insert on Social Security and Veterans Benefits)
• Notify Veterans Administration if the deceased was a veteran (see insert on Social Security and Veterans Benefits)
• Notify Medicare by calling  (800) 772-1213  (ensure you have the deceased’s Social Security number)
• Notify the Department of Motor Vehicles  (702) 486-4368  (if the decedent had a drivers license or state ID)
• Notify the Defense Finance and Accounting service  (800) 269-5170  (if the military service retiree was receiving benefits)
• Notify US citizenship and immigration services  (800) 375-5283  (if decedent was not a US citizen)

Financial companies

• Credit card and merchant card companies
• Banks, savings and loan associations, and credit unions
• Mortgage companies and lenders
• Financial planners and stock brokers
• Pension providers

Insurance and annuity companies

• Life insurers and annuity companies
• Health, medical and dental insurer’s
• Disability insurer
• Automotive ensure
• Mutual benefit companies

Credit Reporting Agencies

There are three national credit reporting agencies which you should notify the death and instruct them all to list all accounts as “Closed. Account holder is deceased.” You may also request a credit report to obtain a list of all creditors and to review recent credit activities.

Experian: (888) 397-3742, P.O. Box 9701, Allen, TX 75013, www.experian.com

Equifax Information Services: (800) 525-6385, PO. Box 740256, Atlanta, GA 30374, www.equifax.com

TransUnion: (833) 395-6941, PO. Box 2000, Chester, PA 19016-2000, www.transunion.com

Memberships

• Professional associations and unions
• Health clubs and athletic clubs
• Automobile clubs
• Public library
• Alumni clubs
• Rotary, Kiwanas, Lions, Veterans’ organizations and clubs

Do Not Contact Lists

For a fee of one dollar you can list the decedents name on the deceased do not contact list maintained by the Direct Marketing Association. All members of the direct marketing association will delete the decedents name from their mailing lists once the name is posted. The website for registering the name is name from their Direct Marketing Association: www.ims-dm.com/cgi/ddnc.

A death certificate originates at the funeral home. After the patient passes, the funeral home will visit with the family members and contact the patient’s primary care physician, hospice physician or coroner to complete the form. Then, the funeral home will take the form to the county health department for processing. Typically, within two days the funeral home will be able to pick up a certified copy of the death certificate for the family.

Although each county may differ where the completed death certificate is retained, additional copies can be requested from the funeral home for up to three years. A small fee may be assessed since the funeral home passes along the cost of obtaining a certified copy of the death certificate to the family. Due to the increased fraudulent use of deceased persons’ social security numbers, a certified copy of a death certificate is often required for an official or business transaction. Possible reasons for needing a certified copy of the death certificate include:

• Franchise tax board
• Insurance companies
• Mortgage insurance
• Executor of estate proceedings
• Pension plan or retirement system
• Real property (one certified copy is usually required for each piece of real property owned)
• Stocks and bonds (one certified copy is usually required for each stock or bond)
• Veterans benefits

For more information on death certificates and the process, please visit: www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org.

Grief is an experience, not an emotion. There will be situations and circumstances that will trigger your grief. Triggers can be smells, clothes, pictures, familiar places you went with your loved one. The list can be exhaustive.

Grief, with its many ups and downs, lasts far longer than society in general realizes. Please be patient with yourself and know that each person’s grief is individual. You and your family will all experience the loss. Allow each one to cope with it differently.

Crying is an acceptable and healthy expression of grief. It releases built-up tension for the bereaved person. Cry freely as you feel the need.

Physical reactions to the death of a loved one may include loss of appetite or overeating, sleeplessness, fatigue, uncontrollable sighing or sobbing. You may find you have little energy and cannot concentrate. A balanced diet, rest and moderate exercise are very important for you at this time.

Avoid the use of drugs and alcohol. Medication should be taken sparingly and only under the supervision of your physician. Many substances are addictive and can lead to chemical dependence. In addition, they may stop or delay the necessary grieving process.

Friends or relatives may feel uncomfortable while being around you. They want to ease your pain but do not know how. Take the initiative to help them learn how to be supportive to you. Talk about your loved one so they will know this is an acceptable and appropriate means of support, but don’t allow yourself to be rushed through this experience.

Whenever possible, put off major decisions such as changing residence, changing jobs, etc., for at least one year. Avoid making hasty decisions about your loved one’s belongings. Do not allow others to take over or to rush you. You can do it little by little, whenever you feel ready.

Goals

For a while, it will seem that life has no meaning. Goals help you get through the immediate future. Take life one day at a time and be kind to yourself. Don’t be surprised if your enjoyment of things isn’t the same. This is normal. As time passes, you may want to work on some longer-range goals to give some structure and direction to your life. If you feel you need guidance or counseling to help with the process, contact your insurance company to find out what is available to you.

Permission to Backslide

Again, grief is an experience. Sometimes after a period of feeling positive, we find ourselves back with the old feelings of extreme sadness, despair, and anger. This is often the up-and-down nature of grief and could continue to repeat a similar pattern over time. This happens because we cannot take in all of the pain, meaning of death, and realities of mortality at once, so our minds and hearts let it in a little at a time. If you feel like your backslide is too severe, or troublesome, seek guidance or support from a trusted friend, Pastor, or even a counselor so that they can help you work through this transition.

ProCare Hospice of Nevada and CareOusel Pediatrics invites you to join our monthly bereavement support group

Group grief support is a powerful way to find validation and understanding about what you are experiencing, while providing a sense of shared experience with others. Our group will provide staff and peer support through your grief journey.

The group meets in-person every third Wednesday or we would love to have you join our on-line meetings. This group is open to anyone 18 and older. Everyone is welcome Friends and Family. We also offer individual sessions by phone or in person

To register or to receive more information please contact:

Anita McGee

amcgee@procarehospicenv.com

Direct Dial: 775-471-5986

Main Number: 702.380.8300

The task of preparing a funeral or memorial and getting all the paperwork and documents together at this time may seem overwhelming. We have put together this list to help remind you of some of the tasks that will need your attention. Most of these items will be readily available, but you may need to search for some others not listed here.

Burial Arrangements

• Work with the funeral director or representatives at your church to arrange a funeral or a memorial service, if desired
• Arrange for a head stone if desired
• Organize a post-funeral gathering, if desired
• Prepare an obituary, if desired
• Spread the word about any services that you may be having and who is eligible to attend

Consider whether you need or want financial assistance for the funeral and burial. If so, enlist help for the burial or cremation through Clark County Social Services Burial Program. More information about this program and eligibility requirements can be found by calling 702-455-4270 or online at http://www.clarkCountynv.gov/socialservice/Services/pages/BurialandCremation.aspx

Financial Arrangements

• Locate the most recent will
• Visit an attorney who can explain the terms of the will and file it with the courts
• Begin probate proceedings, if necessary
• Petition the court for appointment of the executor
• Order certified copies of the death certificate (your funeral director will assist you with this task)

If you are the executor:

• Open a bank account to facilitate money due to the estate
• Inventory all assets
• Collect all monies due to the estate
• Apply for a tax identification number
• File Form 56 notice concerning fiduciary relationship located at www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f56.pdf
• Send thank you notes and acknowledgments

Locate the following:

• Bank statements, records, check cards
• Current bills that need to be paid
• Business or partnership papers
• Credit cards and or debit cards
• Insurance records – policies and payment receipts
• Loan documents – those currently enforce
• House and property records – land titles, deeds. Assessment notice and records of rental properties
• Marriage certificate and or diverse divorce papers
• Military discharge papers
• Motor vehicle titles and registration
• Pension records
• Safety deposit boxes – locations and keys (check the safety deposit boxes for documents, if possible)
• Savings bonds
• Social Security numbers for the deceased, survivors, and minor children
• Stocks and bonds – certificates, and names of brokers
• Tax records – previous year’s tax returns, current year

Organize the documents according to those you need immediately to assist with funeral arrangements. Keep the others handy for future use. Organize them in a file folder and keep them in a safe place until needed.

Bereavement & Grief Loss

First Christian Church

101 S. Rancho Drive, Room #4 Las Vegas, NV 89106

(702) 735-5544

Adam’s Place for Grief

601 S. Rancho Drive, Bldg. C Suite 19 Las Vegas, NV 89106

(702) 339-0848

Grief Support Group

Central Christian Church

1001 New Beginnings Drive Henderson, NV 8901

(702) 735-4004

Grief Healing Bereavement Support

6626 Roy Horn Way Las Vegas, NV 89118

(702) 379-4489

Grief Support Group

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church

1811 Pueblo Vista Drive Las Vegas, NV 89128

(702) 360-6689

Grief Support Group

Faith Lutheran Church

2700 S.Town Center Drive

Grief Support Group

Canyon Ridge Christian Ministries

6200 Lone Mountain Road Las Vegas, NV 89130

(702) 658-2722

Minesterio Nuevo Vida

545 Marion Dr. Las Vegas, NV

(702) 336-3285

Mountaintop Faith Ministries

2845 Lindell Road Las Vegas, NV

(702) 367-1636

Summerlin Community Church

2100 Snow Trail Las Vegas, NV

(702) 256-8868 (Rebekah Smith)

Awaken Calvary Chapel

7175 W. Oquendo Road Las Vegas, NV

(702) 362-9000 (Barbara)

Time

Please take time alone as well as with others whom you trust and who will listen when you need to talk. Feeling and understanding the feelings that go along with loss is an ongoing process.

Rest, Relaxation, Exercise, Nourishment, and Diversion

You may need extra amounts of personal care. Hot baths, afternoon naps, yoga classes, hiking, day trips, renewing a hobby, volunteer work- any of these may give you a lift. Grief is an exhausting and emotional process. You need to replenish yourself and follow what brings healing to you with what connects you to the people and things you love and cherish.

Security

Try to reduce or find help for financial issues or other stresses in life. Allow yourself to be close to those you trust. Getting back into a routine often helps. Do things at your own pace. Remember, you don’t want to rush the process.

Hope

You may find hope and comfort from those that have experienced a similar loss. They will know some things that helped them. They have realized that they have recovered and that time does help. They may give you hope that at some time in the future, your grief will be less raw and painful. Join a support group. ProCare offers one every third Wednesday of the month at 5 pm.

Caring

Try to allow yourself to accept the expression of caring from others, even though they may be uneasy and awkward. Helping a friend or relative who is also suffering the same loss may bring a feeling of closeness with that person. Again, be kind to yourself, as well as patient.

Good Grief

Author: Granger E. Westberg

Publisher: Fortress Press

When Your Spouse Dies

Author: Cathleen L. Curry

Publisher: Ave Maria Press

Tear Soup: A Recipe for Healing After Loss

Author: Pat Schwiebert & Chuck Deklyen

Publisher: Grief Watch

Courage to Give: Creative Living, Recovery and Growth Through Grief

Author: Judy Tatelbaum

Publisher: Harper Paperbacks

Understanding Your Grief: Ten Essential Touchstones for Finding Hope and Healing Your Heart

Author:Alan D.Wolfelt

Publisher: Companion Press

Mourning & Mitzvah: A Guided Journal for Walking the Mourner’s Path Through Grief to Healing

Author: Anne Brener

Publisher: Jewish Lights

I Wasn’t Ready To Say Goodbye: Surviving, Coping

and Healing After the Sudden Death of a Loved One

Author: Brook Noel

Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.

Healing After Loss: Daily Meditations for Working Through Grief

Author: Martha Whitmore Hickman

Publisher: First Avon Books

How To Go On Living When Someone You Love Dies

Author: Therese A. Rando, Ph. D.

Publisher: William Heinemann, Ltd.

The Invisible String

Author: Patrice Karst

Publisher: DeVorss & Company

The Grief Recovery Handbook

Author: John W. James & Russell Friedman

Publisher: HaperCollins Publishers

Healing a Grieving Heart

Author: Alan D.Wolfelt

Publisher: Companion Press