The Work after Cremations

Cremations are among the cremation services offered in Phoenix, AZ, and more Americans are choosing cremation as their final disposition. But just as it is with traditional burials, there is work to be done after the cremation service has ended.

This work chiefly consists of settling the financial affairs and property of the deceased. Depending on a number of factors, such as the presence of a will, the size of the estate, and the order in which the deceased left his or her affairs, this follow-up work can be completed relatively quickly or it can take many years and multiple attorneys and court hearings until it is considered settled. For the overwhelming majority of situations, however, the procedure remains roughly the same, and can often be handled through normal channels with the assistance of a lawyer when necessary.

In any estate proceeding, it is the job of the executor, whether they are designated as such in the will or are assigned by the court, to ensure that all assets and debts of the deceased are accounted for and handled as necessary. All outstanding debts must be paid, after which the remaining assets of the deceased can be dispersed to those who have been designated as beneficiaries by a valid will, or by state law in the absence of a will.

The first task for the executor, then, is to get a full accounting of the deceased’s estate and see to it that all outstanding bills are paid. Sometimes short-term funds must be released by the probate court in order to cover these bills, but in many cases this is a straightforward process of arranging payment on behalf of the deceased.

Next, any death benefit claims must be identified and filed with the appropriate office, such as the Social Security Administration, the Veterans Administration, insurance companies, or pension and retirement fund administrators. These offices will require certified copies of the death certificate, so it is a good idea to acquire enough of these copies when you first acquire the original death certificate.

The next task will be to identify and change all of the deceased’s jointly-held accounts, such as bank accounts, credit cards, brokerage accounts, mortgages, loans, stocks, and investments. Once these have been taken care of, all online accounts need to be deactivated and their ownership changed to survivors.

The final step, aside from the dispersal of any assets to beneficiaries, involves notification of the death to all appropriate parties. This includes employers, religious organizations, social organizations, and any telephone, utility, magazine and newspaper that has an account registered for the deceased. In addition, state and local agencies, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles, must be notified in order to transfer any applicable licenses, titles, and property.

Once these basics have been taken care of, the majority of the accounting work is done. In more complex circumstances or with a larger estate being settled, a full accounting of the debts and assets should be made, and it will likely require more time and resources to be completed.

For more information about cremation services provided in Phoenix, AZ, our compassionate and experienced team at Simply Cremation & Funeral Arrangements is here to help. You can come to our funeral home at 16952 W. Bell Rd., #303, Surprise, AZ, 85374, or you can contact us today at (623) 975-9393.