Bakersfield, CA Cremation Services

Anyone Need a Crash Course in Benefits?
Legacy Cremation Services is proud to assist the families in Bakersfield, CA.

We all know that the cost of final arrangements can be daunting. To be sure, the price of traditional funerals has climbed steadily throughout the last two decades. That’s one of the reasons why cremation planning has become more and more popular. Talk to us about reducing cremation costs. We will find an affordable cremation package for you.

Using Social Security Benefits toward Cremation Services

If you are retired, or have a family member approaching that season in his or her life, you may be wondering if Social Security benefits can pay for all, or even a portion, of the cost of final cremation arrangements. Everyone who has paid into Social Security is entitled to a very small sum of money which can be used to pay for costs associated with death. Legacy cremation consultants are happy to assist Bakersfield residents with the important requirements involved with obtaining this death benefit.

• Eligibility. To be eligible for the death benefit, or any other Social Security benefit, a worker must have credit for regular taxable work (he / she must have been gainfully employed), for at least 18 months or more, depending on the age group, at some point in life.

If you have never worked, you may still be eligible to receive a death benefit, as long as you are covered under another worker who is eligible, for example, a spouse, former-spouse, or parent. It is best to meet at the area office of the Social Security Administration, to go over the specific criteria.

• Amount. The death benefit, which can be applied to cremation or funeral expenses, was $255 as of 2010. The payment is made in one lump sum to the qualifying person, normally a surviving spouse or the children of the deceased.
• Administrative process. Legacy has a checklist of all the things that need to get done, especially in regard to gathering funds so that final arrangements can proceed according to religious and family traditions.

One of the services offered by Legacy cremation counselors is to go through administrative processes for you. For example, upon the death of a loved one, you may call Legacy and ask us to begin the process of obtaining the death certificate. We will then notify the local Social Security office of the event, and provide them with all the necessary information and documentation regarding the deceased: SSN, date of birth, copy of death certificate. We can also contact the life insurance company, if relevant, for you. Or, feel free to contact Social Security and the life insurance directly and handle these details yourself.

• Payment options. The lump sum death benefit paid by the Social Security Administration normally arrives within a week of applying for the benefit following the death. These monies can be combined with life insurance policies and savings that the deceased person had in place to pay for the selected services.

If Legacy contacts SSA and the insurance company directly, the funds can go directly to Legacy. Or, you can pay Legacy and get reimbursed from SSA and the insurance company later.

Of course, cremation pre-planning lessens the burden.

Why pre-plan a cremation? Family-owned for two decades, Legacy cremation counselors always provide quality cremations at an exceptional value. However, pre-planned cremation arrangements offer a respectful plan that alleviates the burden of making all those decisions at a critical time. And, cremation costs are minimized. Bakersfield residents can plan with today’s prices, rather than with a potentially higher future price.

Legacy: flexibility and integrity

You’ve got options. What we want you to know is that Legacy Cremation Services offers a variety of cremation options so that you can honor the life of your loved one in a personal and dignified manner. There are many ways to do this – for example you may want a memory table or board at the  memorial service, or a video and music playing in honor of your loved one – and that is why we advise that you take the time to learn about what is available. Unlike other cremation providers in Bakersfield, Legacy Directors are experienced, professional, compassionate and knowledgeable about all kinds of cremation services and programs, from alternative to traditional. Our cremation consultants know what works and what doesn’t, and they can provide some unique ideas that you might like to consider when planning a memorial service. And we can get almost anything done for you. That’s why we urge you to call us at any time, 24 / 7. Let’s talk it through.

Rest assured, the price will be right. At Legacy Cremation Services, it is our policy to discuss all cremation arrangements in detail, and provide all financial information about the options you select, up front. The price of cremation services and programs can vary considerably, and we want you to know exactly what you’re paying for in advance, as we know this will greatly ease your mind. Let us help you reduce cremation costs and provide the right cremation package for your budget and for your need.

Many people prefer to keep things simple and economical
for their families when they pass on.

Contact Legacy Cremation Services.

The Bakersfield, CA community trusts Legacy when it comes to affordable cremation packages.

We’ll talk you through it.