Services

• Types of Services
• Why do we need funerals?
• Ceremonies
• Cremation
• Out of Town Arrangements
• Keepsakes
• Monuments
• Aftercare
• Pre-Arrangements
• Death Benefit Information

The Memphis Funeral Home is a full-service funeral home offering individual, distinctive and affordable services to families of all religious faiths. Please feel free to contact us at your convenience for a professional consultation at no cost or obligation. If you have questions regarding any aspect of our services, merchandise or community resources, we can help.

Types of Funeral Services

• Traditional Funeral Services
• Abbreviated (One-day Visitation/Funeral)
• Immediate Burial
• Alternative (Memorial Service, Celebration Service)
• Cremation (With or Without Visitation/Funeral Services)
  

Why do we need funerals?

• A funeral acknowledges that a life has been lived.
• Funerals allow mourners to remember and honor their loved one in a special way.
• Funerals serve as a central gathering place for family and friends to support one another.
• A funeral helps provide closure for the bereaved.
• The grieving process is initiated with a funeral service.
• A funeral helps us confirm the reality and finality of death.
• Funerals help mourners cope with their grief and, eventually, move on.

Ceremonies
Ceremonies can be simple, contemporary, religious or secular. Music, readings, stories and poetry can be added to personalize the event to both reflect on and celebrate the life that was lived. Some families choose to arrange a memorial table with personal items and photographs that reflect the personality, accomplishments and interests of the person’s life, allowing others to share positive and happy memories. Picture boards are also used if desired.

Cremation
Cremation is an alternative to embalming and casket burial. People choose cremation for a variety of reasons. Some do so based on environmental considerations, others have philosophical or religious reasons. Still others choose cremation because they feel it is simpler and less complicated. Whatever the reason, we’re here to help you with any questions or concerns you may have regarding cremation.

Families that select cremation have a variety of choices. Services or ceremonies can precede or follow the actual cremation. Prior to cremation, there may be a gathering which can be either public or private, with an open or closed casket. When the service follows the cremation, a receptacle (or urn) containing the cremated remains may take a place of prominence. Following the ceremony, typically, the final disposition of cremated remains takes place. Cremation offers families choices for final disposition of the cremated remains and with cremation you have the opportunity to select from a wide array of caskets, urns and keepsake memorials. We take care of all the details and ensure your loved one is handled with grace and dignity.

OUT OF TOWN ARRANGEMENTS
If death occurs out of town it is important to contact Memphis Funeral Home first. One call to our funeral home allows us to handle all the details and saves you from any duplication of services at an additional cost. Contacting anyone else first may result in multiple charges but by calling us first you can be assured that all the details will be taken care of by your hometown funeral directors.

Keepsakes

Combining the wonders of modern scanning technology with the ancient technique of lost wax casting, the finger, hand and footprints of your loved ones are fashioned into artistic and intricately detailed jewelry. Each piece is as unique as the print it replicates. Each of these pieces is unique and a one-of-a-kind item that will be cherished for many years to come. Please contact us for more information.	Thumbies® shown beside a dime.	Sterling Silver	14K Yellow Gold
	14K White Gold	Silver Keychain	14K Yellow Gold Keychain
Infants and children under the age of three pose a problem when it comes to capturing a reproducible print. While they have fingerprints, the defining ridges are so fine that is is difficult to get sufficient contrast. The print look like black smudges and the resulting cast resembles sand paper. Recognizing the problem, Meadow Hill's artisans came up with a solution: The solution uses a print of the child's entire hand or foot. This print is miniaturized and centered on our oval charm. A high polish finish is put on the surrounding surface to highlight the imprint. Many families already have footprint or handprint on the hospital record they received when their children were born. If not, please contact Meadow Hill or your local funeral home for instructions on obtaining high quality prints of your child’s hand or foot.			Handprint Footprint
Memorial Candles Memphis Funeral Home provides a memorial candle for each family we serve. For more information, please call us today.

Monuments
When the time comes to select a monument we hope you will withhold your decision until we have been privileged to discuss your memorial plan with you. We sincerely believe we can serve you with dignity – with the very finest memorial craftsmanship and at the most reasonable cost.

Aftercare
One way in which we extend care after the funeral is through the “Service of Remembrance” provided each year during the Christmas Season for all families in the community who have lost a loved one. The service is held in early December.
During the holiday season we also erect an outdoor “Memory Tree” in the front yard of the funeral home. A ribbon depicting the name, date of birth and date of death of all the deceased in the community during the past year is placed on this tree. The tree is lighted Thanksgiving weekend and remains up until New Year’s Day. Family members are welcome to take the ribbon of their loved one once the tree is taken down.

Aftercare is also provided through literature and books that we have donated to the Memphis Library for your use. Click here to see the titles available. Our funeral home also has a selection of books that you are welcome to come in and read or borrow. Click here to see the titles available at our funeral home.

Pre-Arrangements
Making funeral arrangements in advance can provide peace of mind for you and your family. Pre-arranging gives you more time to consider all the options before making final decisions about such an important event. Visit our pre-arrangement page for more information.

Death Benefit Information

Veteran’s Benefits
This information is taken from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (compensation & pension service-April 2002)
To learn more visit their website at www.cem.va.gov

What is a VA Burial Allowance?
A VA burial allowance is a partial reimbursement of an eligible veteran’s burial and funeral costs. When the cause of death is not service-related, the reimbursement is generally described as two payments: (1) a burial and funeral expense 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 employers 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 or while in a nursing home under a VA contract, or while in an approved state nursing home.

How Much Does VA Pay?
Service-Related Death-VA will pay up to $1,500 toward burial expenses prior to September 10, 2001. For deaths on or after September 11, 2001, VA will pay $2,000. If the veteran is buried in a VA national cemetery, some or all the cost of moving the deceased may be reimbursed.
Nonservice-Related Death-VA will pay up to $300 toward burial and funeral expenses, and a $150 plot interment allowance for deaths prior to December 1, 2001. The plot-interment allowance is $300 for deaths on or after December 1, 2001. If the death happened while the veteran was in a VA hospital or under contracted nursing home care, some or all 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 Allowance. 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 Flags, Headstones and Markers
Burial in VA National Cemeteries
Presidential Memorial Certificates

Why Does VA Provide a Burial Flag?
A United States flag is provided, at no cost, to drape the casket or accompany the urn of a deceased veteran who served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces. It is furnished to honor the memory of a veteran’s military service to his or her country.

Who Is Eligible to Receive the Burial Flag?
Generally, the flag is given to the next-of-kin, as a keepsake, after its use during the funeral service. When there is no next-of-kin, VA will furnish the flag to the friend making the request for it. For those VA National Cemeteries with an Avenue of Flags, families of veterans buried in these National Cemeteries may donate the burial flag of their loved ones to be flown on patriotic holidays.

How Can You Apply?
You may apply for the flag by completing VA Form 2008, Application for United States Flag for Burial Purposes. You may get a flag at any VA regional office or U.S. Post Office. Generally the funeral director will help you.

Can a Burial Flag Be Replaced?
The law allows the VA to issue one flag for a veteran’s funeral. They cannot replace it if it is lost, destroyed or stolen. However, some veteran’s organizations or other community groups may be able to help you get another flag.

How Should the Burial Flag be displayed?
VA form 2008 provides the correct method for displaying and folding the flag.

Headstones and Markers
On December 27, 2001, President Bush signed Public Act 103, the Veteran’s Education and Benefits Expansion Act. This law includes a provision that allows the VA to furnish an appropriate headstone for the graves of eligible veterans buried in private cemeteries whose death occurred on or after September 11, 2001 whether the grave is already marked with a non-government marker or not. The VA does provide headstones and markers for any unmarked grave anywhere in the world. There are optional items that you can get for the headstone like military rank, war service, day of birth and death and any awards that they may have received while in the military.

Presidential Memorial Certificates
A Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) is an engraved parchment certificate signed by the current President to honor the memory of honorably discharged deceased veterans.

Eligible recipients include the deceased veteran’s next of kin and loved ones. More than one certificate may be provided.

Eligible recipients, or someone acting on their behalf, may apply for a PMC in person at any VA office or by U.S. mail only. There is no form to use when requesting a PMC. Please be sure to enclose a copy of the veteran’s discharge and death certificate. Please send copies, as the VA is not able to return original documents.

If you would like to request a PMC, or if you haven’t received one that you already applied for please do one of the following:

• Fax your request and all supporting documents (copy of discharge and death certificate) to 202-565-8054 or
• Mail your request and all necessary documents either through the United States Postal Service or a commercial mail service to
  Presidential Memorial Certificates (402E12)
  Department of Veteran’s Affairs
  810 Vermont Ave, NW
  Washington, DC 20420-0001

Obtaining Military Records & Medals
The Departments of Veteran’s Affairs does not retain veteran’s military service records. Military service records are kept by the National Personnel Records Center, which is under the jurisdiction of the National Archives and Records Administration.

To request military service records, complete Standard Form 180, request pertaining to military records complete with as much information as possible and send to the address listed on the form. (Note: It may take up to six months to get a reply from the NPRC

Social Security Benefits

The following is taken from the Social Security Administration #05-10084
www.ssa.gov web site
800-772-1213 toll free
800-325-0778 TTY

The following provides a general overview of Social Security survivor’s benefits. The information it contains is not intended to cover all provisions of the law. For specific information about your case contact Social Security.

The loss of the family wage earner can be devastating to the survivor’s. This is an explanation of the benefits Social Security can provide for the family.

Who can get survivor’s benefits?
When you die, Social Security survivor’s benefits can be paid to your:
(bullet point each return following)
Widow or widower – full benefits at age 65 or older (if born before 1938) or reduced benefits as early as age 60. A disabled widow or widower can get benefits at age 50-60. The surviving spouse’s benefits may be reduced if he or she also receives pension from a job where Social Security taxes were not withheld.
Widow or widower at any age if she or he takes care of your children under age 16 or disabled who get benefits
Unmarried children under age 18 (or up to age 19 if they are attending school full time). Your child can get benefits at any age if he or she was disabled before age 22 and remained disabled.
Stepchildren, grandchildren, or adopted children under certain circumstances.
Dependent parents at age 62 or older.
(end bullet points)

Special One-Time Death Benefit
There is a special one-time payment of $255 that can be made when you die if you have enough work “credits”. This payment can be made only to your spouse or minor children if they meet certain requirements.

How Do I Apply For Benefits?
If you are not getting Social Security benefits, you should apply for survivor’s benefits promptly because, in some cases, benefits may not be retroactive. You can apply by telephone or at any Social Security office.
The Social Security Administration will need certain information to process your application. It is helpful if you have it when you apply but don’t delay applying if you don’t have everything. They will help you get it. They need either original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them. The information needed includes:

• Proof of death-either from a funeral home or a death certificate
• Your Social Security number as well as the worker’s
• Your birth certificate
• Your marriage certificate if you’re a widow or widower
• You divorce papers if you’re applying as a surviving divorced spouse
• Dependent children’s Social Security numbers
• Deceased workers W-2 forms or federal employment tax return for the most recent year
• The name of your bank and your account number so your benefits can be directly deposited into your account

If you’re already getting social security benefits as a wife or husband on your spouse’s record when he or she dies you should report the death to the Social Security Administration and they will change your payments to survivors benefits. If they need more information, they will contact you.
If you’re getting benefits on your record, you’ll need to complete an application to get survivor’s benefits. Call or visit the Social Security Administration and they will check to see if you can get more money as a widow or widower. They will need to see your spouse’s death certificate to process your claim.

Benefits for any children automatically will be changed to survivor’s benefits after the death is reported to us. They will contact you if they need any more information.

How Much Will I Get?
The amount of your benefits is based on the earnings of the person who died. The more he or she paid into Social Security, the higher the benefits will be.

The amount you will get is a percentage of the deceased’s basic Social Security benefit. The percentage depends on your age and the type of benefit you are eligible for. Here are the most typical situations:

• Widow or widower, age 65 or older-100%
• Widow or widower, age 60-64 about 71-94%
• Widow, at any age with a child under 16-75%
• Children-75%
  

378 South Market Street, Memphis, Missouri 63555
Phone: 660-465-2145 • Fax: 660-465-7137
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