• Funeral director services for initial conference, consultations, paperwork, and overhead. This fee is added to all bills.
• Transportation of the body to the funeral home and to the place of final disposition.
• Care of the body, including embalming and "casketing," or dressing the body.
• Use of facilities for a viewing, wake, or visitation, and the funeral or memorial ceremony at the funeral home.
• Other options: purchasing flowers, preparing obituary notices, or providing music.
• Alternative arrangements: cremation or immediate burial where the body is interred without embalming, usually in a simple container and no viewing or ceremony with the body present.

• Death certificate. Available from your funeral director or county health department. It is recommended that you purchase at least a dozen certified copies of the death certificate. Most companies will want a certified copy, but use a photocopy when you can to save money.
• Social Security numbers. For the deceased, spouse, and dependent children.
• Birth certificates. For the deceased and any dependent children. Available at either the state or county public records offices where the person was born.
• Marriage certificate. Available from the county clerk where the marriage license was issued.
• Discharge papers. If the deceased was a veteran, you will need a copy of the discharge certificate. If you cannot find a copy, contact National Personnel Records Center, 9700 Page Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63132-5200 (Send it to the attention of the branch in which the deceased served).
• Original Will. The lawyer who wrote the will may have it. Or, it may be with the personal belongings of the deceased or in a safe deposit box. Some banks have special procedures before letting anyone into the safe deposit box.
• List of property. A complete list of what the deceased owned including real estate, stocks, bonds, bank accounts, deeds, and personal property.
• Recent income tax returns. If you cannot locate a copy of the most recent income tax return, you need to fill out IRS Form 4506. Attach documentation that identifies you as authorized to act on behalf of the deceased, such as letters from the probate court.

• 1. Death benefit: $255 for burial expenses is available to eligible spouses or dependent children. The survivor can complete the necessary form at the local Social Security office, or the funeral director may complete the application and apply the payment directly to the funeral bill.
• 2. Survivor's benefits: A variety of benefits are available depending on the age and relationship of any survivors. You may be eligible for benefits if you match any of these circumstances:

a. Spouse age 60 or older

b. Disabled surviving spouse age 50 or older

c. Spouse under 60 who cares for dependent children under 16 or disabled children

d. Children of the deceased under the age of 18 or who are disabled