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1351 S. High
Columbus, Ohio 43207
Ph: 614-444-7854

To Help You Understand

What To Do When Death Occurs

Death Away From Home

Social Security

Veterans Administration

Please see "Helpful Links" for information on the following:

• Social Security
• Veterans Administration
• Columbus Dispatch
• Local Florist
• Local Accommodations
• Hospice

To Help You Understand...

IT IS YOUR RIGHT, and our desire, that you have as complete an understanding as possible regarding the cost of our services.

The biggest factor is the time element in terms of our personnel and the use of the funeral home facilities.

The maintenance of this service is unending; that is, it must be available 24 hours every day of the year. Therefore, ours is a 168-hour week and not the 40-hour week which is the accepted standard.

Many phases of our work are apparent, others are not. The following analysis of some of these details will help you to understand that no two funerals are exactly alike. Traditions, customs, social standing, personal feeling, financial ability and a multitude of other influences affect each funeral. Our services must conform to each individual family’s wishes and their personal and religious needs.

Generally, funerals are divided into five categories: professional services, use of facilities, merchandise, cash disbursements and transportation.

1. Professional Services
   1. Complete Arrangements, Supervision and Direction of Funeral
      1. Meeting with the family to:
         • Secure vital statistic information
         • Obtain obituary information (we type and print out obituary so family can carefully review before obituary is placed in newspaper)
         • Complete itemized cost agreement
         • Select casket and outer burial container/vault of choice
         • Oversee all aspects of the funeral.
      2. Coordinate the following services as needed:
         • Clergy
         • Fraternal Organizations
         • Necessary automotive equipment for convenience of family
         • Cemetery or Crematory
         • Civic Associations
         • Vault Company
         • Veteran Associations
         • Lodges or other organizations
      3. Complete Death Certificate with vital statistic information
      4. Obtain the signature and medical information from the attending physician or Medical Examiner (Coroner)
      5. File completed and signed death certificate with Registrar of Vital Statistics in municipality where death occurred, and obtain a transit/burial/cremation permit and as many certified copies as necessary for the family’s needs.
      6. Send obituary information to all newspapers requested by family
      7. Care for and arrange all flowers (deliver to home or cemetery)
      8. Print folders or prayer cards when applicable
      9. Complete all necessary forms such as:
         • V.A. for flag
         • V.A. for allowance
         • V.A. for marker
         • City, State and Federal forms required by law
         • Cemetery or Crematory
         • Social Security
         • Insurance Claims
         • Board of Health Permit
      10. Phone response 24 hours a day.
          Give out funeral information to family, friends, lodge members, business
          associates, and florists with regard to funeral services to be held.
          1. Preparation and Care of Deceased, including Authorized Embalming
             • Hygienically prepared to insure protection to personnel and public
             • Embalming
             • Universal precautions including sanitation, disinfection and sterilization of preparation room, instruments and equipment.
             • Shampooing and Shaving
             • Dressing and Casketing
             • Applying cosmetics as needed. Extra care is necessary with regard to bruises, cuts, abrasions and burns.
             • Hairdressing
          2. Professional Personnel and Non-Professional Assistants
             • Assist in all of above items
             • Arrange flowers for best appearance
             • Have door attendant during all visitations
             • Assist in conducting the funeral service according to family’s wishes
          3. The above services require an average of 80 man hours per funeral
          4. The Licensed Funeral Director is available following the funeral services to assist family in filing all types of insurance and government forms. In addition to all the above, there is a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer, a competent and understanding person to answer the phone, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A funeral home does not close on weekends or holidays!

2. Use of Facilities
   1. Fixed Overhead
      Included in the fixed overhead:
      • Taxes
      • Cleaning and Supplies
      • Maintenance of Caskets
      • Stationary Supplies
      • Advertising and Promotion
      • Utilities – light, heat, air conditioning and telephone
      • Insurance – fire, theft, liability, auto, casualty, workmen’s comp, unemployment comp.
      • Specialized Continuing Education
      • Building Maintenance
      • Landscape Maintenance
      • Parking Lot Maintenance
   2. Funeral Home Facilities & Equipment
      This charge is made for time during arrangements, visitation period (s) and the day of service. It is used for capital improvements: replacing carpeting, drapes, chairs, furniture, funeral equipment and any other item not covered in the fixed overhead.
   3. Preparation Room for:
      Embalming
      Dressing
      Disinfection
3. Merchandise
   1. Merchandise includes:
      • The casket of your choice
      • The outer burial container (vault) of your choice
      • Urn of your choice
      • Any clothing the family may choose
      • The Register (Memorial) book
      • Service folders or prayer cards
      • Acknowledgement Cards
      • Customized DVD Memories Tribute
      • Programs
4. Cash Disbursements
   This represents all of the monies that we may advance for you, such as all hired automobile equipment, clergy honorariums, air transportation, newspaper charges, board of health permit, death certificates, flowers, motorcycle escort, church offerings, singers, organist / pianist etc.
5. Transportation
   This includes cost, depreciation and other operation of all vehicles.

If you have any questions on this information or any other aspect of the funeral, feel free to call us.

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What To Do When A Death Occurs

Regardless of when and where the death occurs, the family should call us as soon as possible. Although some health care facilities will call the funeral home on behalf of the family, this is the exception rather than the rule. To be safe, it is best that the family calls the funeral home directly. There can be a myriad of questions that can be answered by one phone call to our funeral home when talking to the funeral director. (If the funeral home is made aware that the death has occurred and we have not been notified by the agency where the death occurred we can then expedite the process of having your loved one brought to our funeral home.)

There are several things to be considered when a death occurs. The order in which things need to done usually depends on whether the death occurred in a residence, hospital or care facility (nursing home).

If the death occurs in the residence under the care of Hospice or a Home Health Care Provider

Today a large number of people choose to be at home with Hospice or a Home Health Care Provider assisting the family until the death occurs. When the death occurs the family should notify Hospice or the Home Health Care Provider who will then notify the people in the correct order. Hospice or Health Care Provider will notify by a simple phone call the Coroner / Medical Examiner, who must be notified of all deaths that occur in the home, then the physician, and the funeral home. The Coroner / Medical Examiner will not need to come to the home, the phone call notification is all the Coroner / Medical Examiner’s needs in this situation.

If death occurs in the residence but the person was not under the care of Hospice or a Health Care Provider

If Hospice or a Health Care Provider was not involved but the person was under a physician’s care, and family and friends are present, the family may want to call the funeral home directly. 911 should be called as well and an ambulance will come to the residence and the medical technicians will then notify the police. Once the police arrive at the residence they will then follow procedure in notifying the Coroner / Medical Examiner and the physician who was caring for that person. Once the police have completed their normal investigation they will then notify the funeral home.

• If the death occurs in a residence and no one is there at the time of death, the police will need to be notified and respond to the residence before the deceased is removed from their home.
• If the death occurs in a hospital or care facility, the name of the funeral home may be left with them, and the institution will notify the funeral home at the time of death.
• If in any case should the death occur and you are not sure who to notify or what to do, you may call your funeral home and they will assist you in notifying the proper agencies.

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Death Away From Home

If a loved one dies while away from home, you may suddenly find yourself in a confused state while asking, "What do I do?" Dealing with a loss away from your hometown can seem especially complicated.

Our funeral service professionals at Graumlich Funeral Home are qualified to assist you in making the necessary arrangements for the deceased person while providing comfort and care to your family, regardless of where the death occurred. If you find yourself...

...In Another Community

Often individuals move to another community or maintain a second residence, but desire funeral arrangements be conducted in their home area. Before removal is made from the place of death, whether it is a residence, hospital or other care facility, the next of kin or a family member should contact Graumlich Funeral Home direct and not authorize a medical staff member or another person to contact a funeral home in the city of death. This would result in additional expense to the family. Our direct phone number is (614) 444-7854.

...Outside the United States

If a person dies while traveling outside the United States, officials in the foreign country will notify the U.S. Embassy in the country where the death occurs. Your family’s funeral service professional is familiar with the procedures for returning a loved one to the United States.

...When Traveling

It is helpful for persons to carry a wallet-size card (which can be obtained from Graumlich Funeral Home) indicating the name and phone number of the next of kin and your funeral service professional. Travel insurance is an additional option you may consider. The procedure to follow would be the same as when death occurs in another community (see above “In Another Community”)

When death is sudden or unexpected, the Coroner or Medical Examiner is involved and can help coordinate arrangements with Graumlich Funeral Home for preparation and return of your loved one to the home area.

Information You'll Need to Have

A death certificate is filed in the county of death. A transit permit is then issued by the health department in that county. Items required on the death certificate in addition to name, address, etc. are:

• Date and place of birth (city and state)
• Social Security number
• Veteran status
• Educational level
• Parents names, including mother’s maiden name
• Place of burial if known
• Usual occupation

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Social Security Information

www.socialsecurity.gov

The funeral director will report the person’s death to Social Security. You will need to furnish the funeral director with the deceased’s Social Security number so he or she can make the report.

Some of the deceased’s family members may be able to receive Social Security benefits if the deceased person worked long enough under Social Security to qualify for benefits. You should get in touch with Social Security as soon as you can to make sure the family receives all the benefits to which it may be entitled.

For more information on Social Security benefits please visit their website at www.socialsecurity.gov or call toll free at 1-800-772-1213 (for deaf or hard of hearing call their TTY number at 1-800-325-0778. Social Security can answer specific questions and provide information by automated phone service 24 hours a day.

Local Social Security Offices

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What Are VA Burial Allowances?

VA Burial allowances are partial reimbursements of an eligible veteran’s burial and funeral costs. When the cause of death is not service-related, the reimbursements are generally described as two payments:

1. a burial and funeral expenses allowance and
2. a plot interment allowance

Who is Eligible?

You may be eligible for a VA burial allowance if:

• you paid for a veteran's burial or funeral AND
• you have not been reimbursed by another government agency or some other source, such as the deceased veteran's employer AND
• the veteran was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

In addition, at least one of the following conditions must be met:

• the veteran died because of a service-related disability OR
• the veteran was receiving VA pension or compensation at the time of death OR
• the veteran was entitled to receive VA pension or compensation, but decided not to reduce his/her military retirement or disability pay OR
• the veteran died in a VA hospital, in a nursing home under VA contract, or while in an approved state nursing home.

How Much Does VA Pay?

Service-Related Death. VA will pay up to $2,000 toward burial expenses for deaths on or after September 11, 2001. VA will pay up to $1,500 for deaths prior to September 10, 2001. If the veteran is buried in a VA national cemetery, some or all of the cost of transporting the deceased may be reimbursed.

Nonservice-Related Death. VA will pay up to $300 toward burial and funeral expenses, and a $300 plot-interment allowance for deaths on or after December 1, 2001. The plot-interment allowance is $150 for deaths prior to December 1, 2001. If the death happened while the veteran was in a VA hospital or under VA contracted nursing home care, some or all of the costs for transporting the deceased’s remains may be reimbursed.

How Can You Apply

You can apply by filling out VA Form 21-530, Application for Burial Benefits. You should attach proof of the veteran's military service (DD 214), a death certificate, and copies of funeral and burial bills you have paid.

Related Benefits

Burial in VA National Cemeteries
Headstones and Markers
Presidential Certificates
Burial Flags

For More Information, Visit Our Web Site at http://www.cem.va.gov
Or phone Toll-Free 1-800-827-1000

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