Are You a Veteran? When the time comes, do you wish to be buried in a Veteran’s cemetery?

A Veteran who was honorably or generally discharged is entitled to a free burial in a national cemetery which includes a grave marker. You will need to provide a copy of your DD 214/Separation Documents (discharge papers) to qualify. For further details, contact the Department of Veterans Affairs at www.cem.va.gov.

What Do Funerals Cost?

In this area, a traditional burial including a casket and a vault will cost in the neighborhood of $7,000 -$10,000. That does not include such items as flowers, notices and transportation.

One convenient way of making sure such funds are readily available and not tied up in your estate is to open a joint account with a loved one with the express understanding that the money will be used for funeral and related expenses only. Another option is to make arrangements with a local funeral home and prepay as many expenses as possible. You would then make sure that your family is aware of these arrangements so the funeral home can be contacted immediately after your death.

Another possibility in lieu of a burial would be to consider using a cremation service. The cost of cremation in this area, including delivery of the boxed remains to the family, is approximately $1,000. Again, pre-death arrangements can be made so the cremation service can be contacted immediately to make all necessary arrangements.

Enjoy Our National Parks and Get Paid, too!

Retirees looking for part-time or seasonal employment may find work through the National Park Service. More than one-third of National Park employees are over age 50. In this area, jobs working in gift shops, at entrance gates, or providing informational talks to visitors, are available from the springtime through the fall.

For further information, visit the National Parks website at www.NPS.gov. There is also a private website that lists National Parks jobs at www.CoolWorks.com.

Have You Ever Thought About What Would Happen to Your Social Media Accounts When You Pass Away?

Increasingly, social media is a part of everyone’s life. If you are active online, you should consider creating a statement of how you would like your online identity handled. Consider appointing someone you trust as your “online executor”. This person will be responsible for the closure of your email addresses, social media profiles and blogs when you truly “move into the clouds”. 

Remember that an Attorney can help you incorporate instructions regarding your desired social media treatment into your main Last Will and Testament.

What Makes a Will Valid?

A will, more formally known as a Last Will and Testament, is required (in Maryland) to be in writing and signed by the maker as well as two witnesses. A notary public is not required to sign the will, but it doesn’t hurt. A warning, however: a professionally prepared will would have what is known as an “attestation clause” which is a recitation of language that the witnesses were present when the will was signed by the maker and confirm that the maker knew what he was doing when he signed the will. If this is missing, it may be necessary for the witnesses to be found and present proof that the maker of the will did, indeed, know what he was doing.