The Indian American

want to write an obituary by yourself. If you want to publish the information in a newspaper, check on rates, deadlines and submission guidelines. Don't include exact date of birth due to iden- tity theft issues. -Any ethical will? An ethical will isn't a legal document, but rather a letter of sorts written to your family and friends that shares your values, life lessons and hopes for the future. If the deceased left one, arrange to share it, may be even have it printed. - Organize a post-funeral gathering: Depending on your tradition, it's called a repast or a wake. It can be held at a church, temple, banquet hall, restau- rant or someone's house etc. - Send thank-you notes: Acknowledge all the people who helped you in this tough situation To do after funeral - Notify local Social Security office: Typically, the funeral director will noti- fy Social Security of your loved one's death. If not, you can call the main#: 1- 800-772-1213 or contact your local social security office. If your loved one was receiving benefits, social security payments must stop because overpay- ments will require complicated repay- ment penalties. Even a payment received for the month of death may need to be returned. If the deceased has a surviving spouse or dependents, ask Social Security office about their eligibility for increased personal bene- fits and about a one-time payment to the survivor. - Handle Medicare: If the deceased had been enrolled in Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D), Medicare Advantage plan or had a Medigap poli- cy, inform concerned authorities at the phone numbers provided on each plan membership card to cancel the insur- ance. - Look into employment benefits: If the deceased was working, contact the employer for information about pen- sion plan, credit unions and union death benefits. You will need a death certificate for each claim. If your spouse was employed at the time of his/her death, call the benefits admin- istrator to ask about benefits due to you. Besides life insurance, these can include unpaid salary and bonuses, accrued vacation and sick pay, leftover funds in a medical flexible spending account, stock options etc. You'll also need to check on pension benefits. Assuming your spouse was retired and you were both receiving monthly pen- sion benefits in the form of a joint and survivor annuity, notify the plan administrator immediately. -Stop health insurance: Notify the health insurance company or the deceased's employer. End coverage for the deceased, but be sure coverage for any dependents continues if needed. If you were receiving health coverage under your spouse's employer plan, you may be able to continue on the group plan for 36 months through COBRA coverage. (An employer with fewer than 20 employees is not required to provide COBRA coverage.) Ask the plan admin- istrator if the company will continue picking up the employer's premium subsidy. 12 THE INDIAN AMERICAN OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2018