Biographical Guide

Biographical Record

Today’s Date:_______________________

Legal Name:______________________________________________

Also Known As:____________________________________________

Phone Number:____________________________________________

Legal Address – Street & Number & Zipcode:_____________________

County:__________________________________________________

Township:________________________________________________

Social Security Number:_________-_________-_______________

Birthdate:_______________________________________________

Birth Place: City:_______________________________ State:_______________________________

Race:_____________________ Citizen, Country_________________

Hispanic Origin: Yes/No, If yes, specify Cuban, Mexican, Etc.:_______________________________________________

Name of Mother, including maiden name:_______________________________________________

Name of Father:___________________________________________________

Education: Elementary (Yrs):____________ Secondary (Yrs)________ College Degree_____________

Maritial Status: Married____ Divorced____ Single ____ Widowed____

Name of Spouse:__________________________________________________
Years Married:_______________

Occupation:________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Kind of Business:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Employer:________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address of Employer:________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Years with Company:______________________________________________

Branch of Military Service:__________________________________

Rank:_______________ Date entered:________________________

Date Discharged:__________________________________________

Service Number:__________________________________________

DD-214 Available: Yes/No

Preregistered with Veterans Cemetery: Yes/No

Name of Cemetery:________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Service Instructions & Information:

Place of Funeral Service:

Funeral Home _____ Church_______ Cemetery (graveside)_______

Do you wish to be buried or cremated:________________________

Name of Funeral Home:____________________________________
Church Affiliation:________________________________________________

City:_____________________________________________________ State:________________________ Phone:______________________
Clergy:___________________________________________________
Organist:_________________________________________________ Soloist:___________________________________________________

Special Music or Hymns: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Favorite Bible Passages, Quotations, Poems:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Pallbearers:
_____________________________________________ _______________________________________________

_____________________________________________ _______________________________________________

If you wish to be cremated, where would you like your ashes to go:______________________________________________________

Would you like a viewing:____________________________________

Would you like a visitation:___________________________________

Would you like a Memorial Service:____________________________

Name of Cemetery:________________________________________________

State:____________________________________________________

City:_____________________________________________________

Deed: Yes/No

Lot Number:________________ Section:______________

Stone or Marker Installed: Yes/No

Flower Requests:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Memorial Donations:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Clubs, organizations, memberships, Lodges:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Special clothing to be worn:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Jewelry:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Favorite Pictures for hair and make-up:___________________________________________________________________

Special Instructions:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Primary Doctor’s Name:___________________________________________________

Address:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone:___________________________________________________

Family

Survivors: Relationship, Name, Street Address (if local) or City & State:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Grandchildren:______________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Great Grandchildren:______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Preceded by:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Important Information for Family

Local contacts to be Notified if needed:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Will:_____________________________________________________

Attorney:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Safety Deposit box located at:_______________________________________________________

Executor/executrix of estate:___________________________________________________

Address:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Life Insurance Policies:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Beneficiaries (if different from the executor/executrix):__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Notes:
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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Survivor’s Information

The Death of a Loved One

The time immediately following the death of a loved one can be days of intense sorrow and emotional stress. During this time, the family must make a number of difficult decisions. The Funeral Director can instruct and guide the family through the difficult problems of this trying time and with their knowledge and experience, can sympathetically relieve the family of needless concerns.
The Funeral Director handles the details associated with the death certificate and the burial permit. They can obtain additional copies of the death certificate, which may be required for settling claims.

Social Security
Claims should be filed within the month of death or the following month at the nearest Social Security Administration office. Claims for the lump sum death benefit, $255.00, must be filed within two years after death or benefits will not be honored. There is no charge for the Administration’s assistance in the filing of claim papers.
The Social Security Administration requires the following information:
1. Certified copy of the death certificate or statement of death
2. Deceased’s employment record for the past year (W-2 form)
3. Personal income tax returns (if self-employed)
4. If married, marriage certificate
5. Deceased’s social security card number
6. Birth certificates of minor children (under 28)
7. Proof of age if over 60 (birth certificates or religious record recorded before age 5)
Note: Consult your local Administration office about other proofs which may be acceptable.
Inquire about the following benefits:
– Lump sum death payment to surviving spouse or son or daughter entitled to benefits.
– Benefits to widow/widower over 60.
– Benefits to widow with dependent children.
– Benefits to deceased’s minor children
– Benefits to disabled widow/widower age 50-60

Insurance
Contact the agents of all insuring companies as soon as possible. Agents will supply the necessary claim forms.
All policies should be closely examined with agents, including lapsed policies to check for any extended coverage. Any survivors’ life insurance policies, which name the deceased as a beneficiary, should be changed.

Bank Accounts
Consult an attorney or your bank to answer any specific questions. A bank account solely in the deceased’s name may require probate action or consent to transfer from a government agency. Some banks may permit a release from smaller accounts for the payment of funeral expenses. Consult an attorney concerning the legalities of a survivor withdrawing from a joint account.

Real Estate
Real estate jointly held by a married couple is transferred to the surviving spouse. The services of an attorney, as in all real estate matters, are advisable. Property, which is solely in the deceased’s name, or owned jointly by the deceased and a party other than the surviving spouse, may require probate action whether or not a will exists.

Automobile
Any titled, automotive vehicle, such as a car, truck or recreational vehicle, becomes a part of the estate when the deceased is the sole owner. For information regarding the transfer of title, contact the local license bureau or an attorney.

Safety Deposit Box
When a death occurs, a safety deposit box provides the tight security the name implies. Regardless of whether a safety deposit box is held in the deceased’s name, or jointly, the box may be sealed until an official takes inventory of the contents. Consult the bank and an attorney regarding legal procedures

Savings Bonds
Savings bonds held in the sole name of the deceased must generally be probated. Bonds may be transferred to a named survivor, subject to estate taxes. Consult a tax advisor, banker or an attorney.

Stocks and Bonds
Promptly contact issuing brokers. Stocks and bonds held solely in the deceased’s name must generally be probated: those owned jointly can be transferred to the surviving owner. Contact an attorney for consultation regarding tax problems.

Wills
Estate taxes can be reduced significantly if the deceased has prepared a well- conceived will through an attorney. Also, your property and the savings of a lifetime can be given to the people you select and you can provide for the preservation of family heirlooms and for the continuation of a business.

Life Insurance
If your family is to receive the full benefit from your life insurance program, insurance coverage should be regularly updated and coordinated with your plans for distributing property and other assets. Life insurance provides an estate with a ready source of cash required for the payment of estate taxes and can eliminate the need to sell assets for payment of taxes.

Protect Important Papers
All important legal documents should be kept in a safety deposit box. Such documents would include a copy of your will (with the original kept with your attorney), auto titles, marriage papers, divorce papers, other government recorded documents and bank account documents. An inventory list should be stored at home, with a duplicate in the deposit box and with your attorney.

Retirement Accounts
Consult employers or an attorney regarding the status of retirement plans and survivor benefits. If the deceased was paying into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), if self-employed or without an employer’s pension plan, the amount in the account will go to the beneficiaries. Consult the agent for the IRA (Insurance agent, broker, or bank) or an attorney.

Veteran’s Benefits
Anyone who was a member of the military at the time of death, or honorably discharged from the military, is subject to a number of benefits, which should be investigated.
1. Pension to the widow and minor children
2. Partial reimbursement of funeral expenses
3. Burial in a national cemetery
4. Burial flag and grave maker
5. Contact the local office of Veteran’s Administration for any additional benefits.
Documentation required for benefits:
1. Copy of death certificate
2. Veteran’s discharge papers (DD-214)
3. Itemized funeral bill receipt
4. Marriage certificate
5. Birth certificates of minor children

The Importance of Planning

It is human to put things off. But proper planning for the event of one’s death can spare a family of many traumatic decisions and financial burdens.

Prearrangement of Funerals
The desires and wishes for one’s funeral, burial and expenses can be specified to eliminate confusion, differences of opinion and difficult decisions on the part of family members. Prearranging a funeral may seem like a difficult task, but there can be peace of mind for an individual who knows that his or her wishes will be followed. Consult a Funeral Director of your choice for more information and guidance in funeral prearrangement.

Estate Taxes
Your estate, when evaluated for Federal estate taxes, will probably be much larger than you think. Generally included in your taxable estate are life insurance, real estate, stocks and bonds, personal checking and savings accounts, market value of business interests, household furniture, collections, autos, and other tangible property. Be certain to consult an attorney periodically about current federal and state inheritance tax laws.

Other property may be included in your taxable estate such as gifts of property made by you or to you, property in trusts created by you and property in trusts for you

The survivor’s information contained on the preceding pages is provided to make you, the survivor, aware of the various contingencies that could arise when a death occurs. We believe it will help you to proceed with complete confidence and assurance.

For more information please contact the funeral home at 856-547-2700