Social security & practical paperwork
Social Security & Practical Paperwork
The government part — explained as a normal person would explain it
This is the chapter nobody wants, but everybody needs.
It’s the “forms and phone calls” section — the part that feels intimidating until someone breaks it down into plain English.
Good news:
Most of this is simpler than people expect.
And you don’t have to do it all at once.
Let’s walk through it step by step.
1. Social Security: What Actually Happens
Here’s the part most people don’t know:
You do NOT have to call Social Security right away.
In fact, in most cases, you don’t have to call them at all.
Why?
Because the funeral home (that’s us) notifies Social Security electronically as part of the standard process.
This prevents:
- accidental payments
- overpayments
- future headaches
- letters from the government asking for money back
You don’t have to manage any of that.
When you might need to call:
Only if:
- You’re applying for survivor benefits
- You’re unsure about eligibility
- You want to ask questions about payments
But the basic notification?
Handled.
2. Survivor Benefits (The Part No One Explains Clearly)
There are two main types of benefits people ask about:
A one‑time payment
Social Security offers a one‑time $255 payment to a surviving spouse or dependent child.
It’s not automatic.
You have to apply for it.
And yes, the government still kicks in a grand total of $255. That number hasn’t moved since 1954. It was a lot of money when a gallon of gas was two dimes, but today it’s basically a 'participation trophy' from the feds. Don’t go spending that whole quarter-thousand in one place.
Monthly survivor benefits
These depend on:
- your relationship to the person
- your age
- whether you’re caring for a minor child
- the person’s work history
If you’re unsure whether you qualify, Social Security can tell you quickly.
3. Death Certificates: How Many You Actually Need
This is the question everyone asks, and the answer is:
Most families need 3–5.
Some need fewer.
Some need more.
Here’s where they’re typically used:
- life insurance
- banks
- property or titles
- pensions
- investments
- closing accounts
- legal matters
We’ll help you figure out the right number based on your situation.
You don’t have to guess.
4. Closing Accounts & Practical Tasks
This part feels overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be done all at once.
Here’s a simple order of operations:
Start with the essentials:
- bank accounts
- insurance
- employer (if applicable)
- utilities (if needed)
Then move to the “whenever you’re ready” items:
- memberships
- subscriptions
- online accounts
- social media
- mail forwarding
There is no deadline for most of this.
You can take your time.
5. What You Can Ignore (For Now)
You do not need to:
- clean out a house immediately
- cancel every account in the first week
- make long‑term decisions while you’re exhausted
- handle every detail alone
- be productive
- be organized
Grief fog is real.
Your brain is doing its best.
You can come back to the practical stuff when you have the energy.
6. What We Handle for You
Covenant Funeral & Crematory takes care of:
- notifying Social Security
- filing necessary permits
- preparing and filing the death certificate
- guiding you through how many copies you need
- helping you understand what comes next
- answering questions as they come up
You’re not expected to know any of this.
You’re not expected to keep track of deadlines.
You’re not expected to navigate government language alone.
We’re here to make this part as simple and calm as possible.
If You Remember Nothing Else
Remember this:
Most of the paperwork can wait.
The important parts are handled for you.
And you don’t have to do everything in the first week.
You’re not behind.
You’re not doing it wrong.
You’re doing exactly what anyone would do in your situation — one step at a time.
