Speak With the Medical Examiner or Coroner

Tell the office that your loved one served in the United States military.

• Ask how long your loved one can remain in their care while you make arrangements.
• Ask whether there are any deadlines, local requirements or fees you need to understand.
• If your loved one had a documented PTSD, depression or other mental health diagnosis, ask whether that information should be provided for the investigation or death record.
• Write down the name and direct telephone number of your contact at the office.

Do Not Choose a Funeral Provider Under Pressure

You may receive recommendations or feel that you must select a funeral home immediately. Unless the Medical Examiner or Coroner tells you a transfer must occur, take the time available to compare your options.

Funeral homes provide an important service, but their prices, policies and included services can vary widely.

Once a provider takes custody, changing providers may result in a transportation or transfer charge.

Understand the Difference Between Funeral Options

Ask each provider to explain the services available and provide a written itemized price.

A traditional funeral may include embalming, viewing, a ceremony, transportation, a casket and burial-related services.

A direct cremation is generally a simpler and less expensive option. It commonly includes transportation from the place of custody, required paperwork, cremation and the return of the ashes in a basic container.

Families may be able to arrange a memorial or celebration of life separately, without purchasing a full traditional funeral package.

Ask These Questions Before Signing Anything

• What is the complete price for the service we selected?
• Can you provide the total price in writing?
• Which charges are required and which are optional?
• Does the price include transportation and permits?
• Are there storage, transfer or administrative fees?
• Can our family provide its own urn or container?
• Is a viewing included, optional or unavailable?
• When will the ashes be returned?
• Can the ashes be divided among more than one container?
• Are there fees for accepting or processing life insurance proceeds?
• What is the cancellation or refund policy?

Contact the Life Insurance Company Directly

A funeral provider may offer to submit an insurance assignment and receive payment directly from the policy.

Before agreeing, ask whether the provider or a third party charges a fee for processing or advancing the insurance proceeds.

You may also contact the insurance company or insurance agent directly to confirm the benefit amount, required documents and expected processing time.

Check Insurance Before Paying for Biohazard Cleanup

When a death occurs inside a home, apartment or other property, professional biohazard cleanup may be necessary.

Before paying the full expense yourself:

• Contact the homeowner's or renter's insurance company.
• Ask specifically whether trauma-scene or biohazard cleanup is covered.
• Ask whether the insurer must approve the cleanup company before work begins.
• If the home is rented, contact the landlord or property manager.
• Save every estimate, invoice, photograph and receipt.

Gather Important Documents

Do not worry if everything cannot be found immediately. Begin with what is available.

• Military discharge paperwork, including the DD Form 214.
• Life insurance policy information.
• Marriage certificate, when applicable.
• Birth certificates for dependent children.
• VA correspondence and disability records.
• Social Security information.
• Banking and mortgage information.
• Funeral, cremation and cleanup estimates.
• Receipts for every expense related to the death.