Yes. Our funeral home sends an electronic notification to the Social Security Administration. It’s a good idea to contact your local Social Security office after receiving the death certificates to ask about any changes to a spouse’s or dependent child’s benefits. You’ll find their contact information on our Helpful Links page.

Before a death certificate can be obtained, the vital statistics information must be provided to the funeral home.  Once the certificate has the completed information, the funeral home will electronically transfer it to the designated physician for the completion of the medical certification.  Once that is completed, the funeral home will file the death certificate with the Department of Vital Records and obtain the certified copies for you.

Typically, we have the certified copies ready to go home within approximately 5 business days, depending on how fast the physician completes the medical certification.  Occasionally, there will be an unusual circumstance that may take much longer.

Death certificates are not given or provided to the next of kin.  Virginia charges a fee for each certified copy of the death certificate.  Currently that fee is $15.00.  The next of kin should let the funeral home know how many they would like ordered and multiply that by $15.00 to determine the cost.

Certified copies of the death certificate are necessary to close accounts, transfer titles or deeds, insurance claims and for administering an estate.  There are some businesses that will accept a photocopy of the death certificate, but many will require the certified copy.  While some that require the certified copy will make their own copy and give you back the certified, others will keep it.  You also may need to mail out certified copies.

Typically, the time frame from the date of the arrangement appointment until the cremated remains are ready to be returned is 7 to 10 business days.  The funeral home must first process the death certificate, then the medical examiner in our area will need to issue a permit granting us permission to continue and, finally, we schedule the cremation.

Maddox Funeral Home accepts all major credit cards, personal checks, cashier checks, cash or life insurance assignments.  We do not charge any fees for processing life insurance or credit cards.

No.  Payment is due in full before services are rendered or secured with a life insurance assignment.  Any financing would need to be gained through a bank or other financial institution.  However, those choosing to make arrangements before a death has occurred can make payments to the pre-funded policies we set up at the funeral home.

A policy can be started with $500.00.  This can be added to at a minimum of $100.00 on your own schedule.  There are no finance charges, no set payment plans and no late fees.  This is a policy you add money to whenever you want and that money will accrue interest to help offset any price increases in the future.

Pre-arranging your own service can save your family the hardship of wondering what they should do for you or what you would want.  It can also keep your family from emotional overspending.  The funeral home will keep your wishes on file so when the time comes, we can show your family exactly what you wanted.  Pre-paying for the service will eliminate the need for your family to have to immediately pay a large amount at the time of passing, especially if they do not have access to your personal funds in a bank or trust account.