Since 1858

Biographical Record Guide

 Download with Microsoft Word Biographical record for web-1.doc

Date: ______________________________________________   Phone: _______________

Name Known By: _______________________________________________

Full given name: ________________________________________________

Residence: Street & Number: _____________________________________

City: _________________________________________________________

Formerly of: ___________________________________________________

County: _______________   State: ______   Inside City Limits: ____ Sex: ___

Birth: Date: ________________________________ Race: ______________

City of Birth: __________________________________ State of Birth: ____

Father’s Name: _________________________________________________

Mother’s Full Maiden Name: ______________________________________

Education: Elementary (Years): ________ Secondary (Years): ________

Marital Status:  M ______   D ______   S ______   W _______

To                    Date                 Place                  Death Date

Notes _______________________________________________________________________________

Occupation: ___________________________________________________

Social Security No.: _____________________________________________

Kind of Business: _______________________________________________

Employer: _____________________________________________________

Position Held: __________________________________________________

Years With Company: ___________________________________________

Retired since: _________________________________________________

Church, Lodge, and Club Associations:

Church Membership: ____________________________________________

Lodges and Clubs/Offices Held: ____________________________________________________________

Military Information:

Entered Service: _______________________________ Date: ____________

Separated Fm Service: __________________________ Date: ____________

Grade/Rank: ___________________________________________________

Branch of Service: ______________________________________________

Organization Served With: ________________________________________

Service No.: _______________________________________________________________________

Notes _______________________________________________________________________________

FAMILY

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

_________________________________________________________________________

Grandchildren: __________________________________________________________________________

Gt. children: __________________________________________________________________________

Gt. Gt. Grandchildren: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Preceded in Death By: __________________________________________________________________________

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR FAMILY

Local Contacts To Be Notified at Need: ____________________________________________________________

Will: _________________________________________________________

Attorney: ______________________________________________________

Executor of Estate: _____________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________________

Doctor’s Name & Address ______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Notes:_________________________________________________________________

SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS & INFORMATION

Place of Service: _______________________________________________

Church: _______________________________________________________

Funeral Home: _________________________________________________

Graveside: ______________________ Cemetery Chapel: _______________

Other: ________________________________________________________

Clergyman (1): _________________________________________________

Or (2): ________________________________________________________

Organist: ______________________________________________________

Vocalist: ______________________________________________________

Special Music or Hymns: _____________________________________________________________

Favorite Bible Passages, Quotations, Poetry, etc.: _____________________________________________________________

Casket Bearers (If Available): _____________________________________________________________

Notes ________________________________________________________________________

Flower Requests: _______________________________________________________________

Memorial Donations: ____________________________________________________________

Cemetery: ____________________________________________________

Location, City: _________________________________________________

Contact: ______________________________________________________

Grave Description, Section: _______________________________________

Lot No.: ________________________ Space: ________________________

Marker Installed? _______________________________________________

Purchased From: ________________________________________________

List any Special Clothing to Be Used and Who to Contact: ______________________________________________________________

List any Jewelry to Be Worn, and if to be removed who to return to: _____________________________________________________________

Hairdresser: ___________________________________________________

Special Instructions: _____________________________________________________________

Participation Organizations (Fraternal/Military Rites): ______________________________________________________________

Authorizations:

I, _______________________________, have given the preceding information to be filed in the Funeral Home in order to avoid placing all responsibility on family and loved ones at the time of my death.

Funeral Home: ________________________________________________

NOTES

____________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

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 his/her knowledge and experience, he/she can sympathetically relieve the family of needless concerns.

The Funeral Director handles the details associated with the death certificate and the burial permit. He/She 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 must be filed within two years after death or the 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 death certificate or Statement of Death (form SSA 721).

2. Decedent’s employment record for the past year (W-2 form).

3. Personal income tax returns (if self-employed).

4. If married, marriage certificate.

5. Decedent’s Social Security card number.

6. Birth certificates of minor children (under 18).

7. Proof of age if over 60 (birth certificate 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 widowed with dependent children.

·                     *Benefits to decedent’s minor children.

·                     *Benefits to disabled widow/widower age 50-60.

·                     *Very rare, but if no widow or children, benefits may be payable to surviving, dependent parent, if parent           is receiving over 50% support from the decedent.

·                     *If a widow/widower, 60-64, is receiving disability benefits based on his/her own earnings, it may be possible to obtain benefits based on his/her deceased spouse’s earnings.

·                     *Medicare.

·                     *Call (800) 772-1213 nationwide for help with questions about social security.

 Insurance

Contact the agents of all insuring companies as soon as possible. Agents will supply the necessary claim forms.

Bank Accounts

Consult an attorney or your bank to answer any specific questions. A bank account solely in the decedent’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 husband and wife 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 decedent’s name, or owned jointly by the decedent and a party other than a surviving spouse, may require probate action whether or not a will exists.

Automobile

Any title, automotive vehicle, such as a car, truck, or recreational vehicle, becomes a part of the estate when the decedent 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 decedent’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 decedent 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 decedent’s name must generally be probated; those owned jointly can be transferred to the surviving owner. Contact an attorney for consultation regarding tax problems.

Retirement Accounts

Consult employers or attorney regarding the status of retirement plans and survivor benefits.

If the decedent 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 national cemetery.

4. Burial flag and grave marker.

5. Contact local office of Veteran’s Administration for any additional benefits.

Documentation required for benefits:

1. Copy of death certificate

2. Veteran’s discharge papers.

3. Itemized funeral bill receipt.

4. Marriage certificate.

5. Birth certificates of minor children.

The survivor’s information contained on the preceding three 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.

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 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 a difficult task, but there can be peace of mind for an individual who knows that his or her wishes will be followed. Consult the Funeral Director of your choice for more information and guidance in funeral prearrangements.

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 saving 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.

Your estate will pay less taxes-and your survivors will receive more of your hard-earned estate-if you PLAN.

Wills

Estate taxes can be reduced significantly if the decedent 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.

©Lahnam-Miller Funeral Home 2005