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Death certificates in Brooklyn aren’t the only documents you need to successfully initiate a funeral in Brooklyn. You may be eligible for Social Security or veteran’s benefits if you have the right paperwork. Life insurance companies require documentation, too. Moving a body out of the state or internationally brings another layer of legal paperwork. Possessing a list of the deceased’s wishes makes planning easier. For all your legal paperwork assistance, call the experienced team at Harmony Funeral Home.
What Kind of Paperwork Do I Need for a Funeral in Brooklyn?
The type of paperwork you need depends on what was planned ahead of time by you or the deceased. The funeral experts at Harmony Funeral Home are well-versed in all areas of paperwork regarding a death. The most common items needed are death certificates in Brooklyn. Your funeral director helps you understand how many you need to settle your loved one’s end of life business. They also assist with documentation, such as:
- Insurance policies
- Pre-paid funeral expense receipts
- Burial plot information
- Veteran’s paperwork
- Religious waivers
- Transportation documents
- Obituary information
You may be eligible for Social Security benefits if your relative was elderly. When you’re seeking help with the paperwork for a funeral in Brooklyn, count on the team at Harmony Funeral Home, voted “Best of the Best” for exceptional service and community involvement by the National Funeral Directors Association.
How Do I Know if My Loved One Is Eligible for a Military Burial?
Your loved one may be eligible for military benefits if they were discharged honorably. The spouse, children, dependents, as well as all service members and veterans, can qualify for a burial in a VA national cemetery when you have the legal documentation in order. To be eligible, the deceased must be honorably discharged or meet other criteria, such as:
- Dying during active duty, inactive duty for training or active duty for training
- Being the minor child of a veteran
- Proving they are a spouse or surviving spouse of a vet
In certain circumstances, the adult unmarried dependent child of a veteran can also have a military burial. You can get partial benefits if the eligible service member is laid to rest in a private cemetery. These can include a headstone, a burial flag and a Presidential Memorial Certificate.
How Can I Get Social Security Benefits?
If you’re the spouse of the deceased, you’re eligible for the Social Security death benefit. This is a lump sum benefit that in 2025 was $255. Every little bit helps. Harmony Funeral Home alerts Social Security of the death with paperwork that includes:
- Name
- Social Security number
- Date of birth
- Date of death
Some family members may also qualify for survivor benefits. If you’re the child, dependent parent, spouse or divorced spouse of someone who worked and paid into Social Security, you may be eligible for monthly Social Security payments after they die. You may also be entitled to Medicare if you meet specific requirements.
What Other Paperwork May I Need?
Other paperwork can be helpful if the deceased took the time to plan for their own death. More and more people are becoming aware of how important it is to plan for your own demise. Items such as bank statements or a will assist greatly in getting affairs in order. Other helpful documents include:
It’s fortunate if your relative has all their paperwork organized and up to date. If not, it may take time to dig through the documents. If you want the best support when you’re planning a funeral in Brooklyn, contact Harmony Funeral Home, the finest funeral parlor in Brooklyn.
Harmony Funeral Home
2200 Clarendon Rd.,
Brooklyn, NY 11226
(718) 469-6666