Questions & Answers
- Who notifies Social Security?
- How long does it normally take to complete a cremation?
- Do I have to place an Obituary Notice?
- How do I obtain Death Certificates?
- How many Death Certificates will I need?
- Can I just make my own copies of the Death Certificate?
- What are the laws regarding scattering ashes?
- What if I don't want to scatter or bury? Can I keep the ashes at home?
- What are my benefits as a Veteran?
- Does Social Security or the VA ever pay for the cremation?
Who notifies Social Security?
We will send the initial death notification to Social Security.
When a death occurs, Social Security must be notified. We will send the initial notification of death to the local SSA office (SSA Form 721) to inform them of the death. We then encourage the family to call Social Security at their earliest convenience to determine if benefits will need to be returned to Social Security and if the survivor qualifies for any Survivor Benefits from Social Security. For more information on this subject, you may wish to visit the Social Security Administration website.
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How long does it normally take to complete a cremation?
In Texas, it can take several days to complete the cremation process.
Cremation is irreversible. Therefore there are several safe-guards in place to insure that a cremation is not performed prematurely.
- Texas law requires a mandatory 48 hour waiting period from the time of death as a minimum waiting period.
- In addition to this waiting period, the law requires that the Death Certificate be completed and signed by the certifying physician AND approved by the Medical Examiner in whose jurisdiction the death occurred. While physicians normally sign the death certificate as quickly as their busy schedules allow, it may take a few days sometimes to get the Death Certificate through this certification process.
- Although this certification process before cremation does require some time, it also insures that cremations are not performed before any questions about the cause of death have been adequately answered.
- The staff at Aria Cremation Service will always make every effort to complete the cremation for you as promptly as procedural requirements will allow.
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Do I have to place an Obituary Notice?
Obituary Notices placed in newspapers are OPTIONAL and are not required.
You are not required to publish a public obituary notice. If you wish to remain private and be selective of who is notified of a death, you may choose not to place any public notices. Many people, however, see a real value in placing a notice in the local newspapers and/or "back home" to notify friends and family in the area.
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How do I obtain Death Certificates?
Our staff will assist you in obtaining any required Certified Copies of Death Certificates.
Death Certificates are available through the Vital Statistics office of the county in which the death occurred. The original death certificate form originates in our office and is then sent to the certifying physician for completion. As soon as the death certificate is certified by the physician and approved by the Medical Examiner, it is delivered to the local Vital Statistics office where it is officially filed. After it is filed, the Vital Statistics office will provided CERTIFIED COPIES of the death certificate. The state of Texas charges a $21 fee for the first certified death certificate and $4 for each additional certified death certificate. Normally, the certified copies that you request will be sent directly to ARIA from the Vital Statistics office and ARIA will release them to you.
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How many Death Certificates will I need?
The number of Death Certificates you require will depend on your individual circumstances.
Death certificates are normally required to settle the affairs of the deceased, therefore, the number required will be dependent upon the quantity and status of these assets. We will assist by providing a list of common instances where death certificates are required. In certain cases, you may wish to consult with your legal advisor on this topic.
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Can I just make my own copies of the Death Certificate?
Most offices and agencies will not allow you to provide a photocopy of the death certificate.
The Certified Copy of the Death Certificate is printed on special safety paper and has a raised seal. Photocopies are not usually allowed. However, many times an agency or office will ask you to bring a certified death certificate into their office and they will return it to you once they’ve made their own photocopy. It is safer to assume that each person or company will require you to submit an original so that you do not order too few.
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What are the laws regarding scattering ashes?
There are no laws in Texas prohibiting scattering ashes.
Texas Law does not prohibit scattering ashes. This does not mean, however, that you may spread or scatter the ashes anywhere you choose.
- You should not spread or scatter ashes on public lands or any inland bodies of water such as streams, rivers or lakes, etc.
- You may spread, scatter or bury ashes on any private land that you own or have obtained permission from the owner. We would suggest that you obtain this permission in writing. You may also wish to consider Sharing Urns (see below).
- Many states have different laws regarding this subject. If you are considering spreading or scattering ashes somewhere other than Texas, you should check the laws of that state before proceeding.
- Scattering or spreading ashes in the ocean is permitted, however federal regulations do specify this should be done only beyond 3 miles from the coast. We offer Scattering at Sea as one of our services. Please call ARIA for more information about these services.
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What if I don't want to scatter or bury? Can I keep the ashes at home?
Yes. You may certainly keep the ashes at home.
We're asked this question quite often. In Texas, you may keep the ashes at home with you as long as you choose. If you choose to keep the ashes at home, we would recommend that you consider using a decorative urn or container, however none is required by law. Another very popular option is Sharing or Keepsake Urns. Sharing Urns are small decorative urns designed to hold a small portion of the ashes. This allows one or more family members to keep a small portion of the ashes while the remainder may be buried or scattered elsewhere. We offer several types of decorative urns and sharing urns suitable for this purpose and would invite you to contact ARIA for more information.
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What are my benefits as a Veteran?
Veterans may be eligible for several different benefits.
Any honorably discharged veteran is entitled to certain benefits upon death, but may not always be eligible for monetary benefits. To determine whether you qualify for monetary benefits or reimbursements, we encourage you to speak with a local county Veterans Services representative: Dallas or call the Veterans Administration directly. Each honorably discharged veteran is entitled to be buried in a VA cemetery (space permitting) and veterans who choose cremation may even elect to have their ashes placed in Arlington National Cemetery, if desired. In addition, the next of kin of an honorably discharged veteran will be eligible to receive a burial flag in their memory. We will assist you in obtaining a flag and can provide the forms necessary to apply for burial benefits.
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Does Social Security or the VA ever pay for the cremation?
Social Security does not pay for final arrangements.
While certain survivors may be eligible for a survivor benefit, it will be only be sent to the survivor and cannot be assigned by a funeral home or cremation service. For more information, visit the Social Security Administration website.
The VA may pay a partial reimbursement to the survivor for final expenses.
While the VA does partially reimburse some veterans for final expenses, it is normally only available if the veteran was receiving monetary benefits from the VA during life (i.e., retirement, disability, etc.). Determining if a veteran is eligible for monetary benefits or reimbursements can be complicated. We encourage you to speak with a local county Veterans Services representative: Dallas or call the Veterans Administration directly to learn more about your eligibility.
Aria Cremation Service does not usually accept assignment of benefits.
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