Arrangements for our Hammond & Ponchatoula locations are made at the Hammond office of
Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home
2000 N. Morrison Blvd.
Hammond, Louisiana 70401
phone (985) 345-5801.
Please contact the business office to schedule an appointment time.
Information required and items to bring to the arrangement conference:
Full legal name, date of birth, place of birth, marital status, parents' names and birthplaces, social security number, Veteran's discharge document (DD214), highest level of education, full outfit of clothing including undergarments, family history information and photo for the funeral notice, and 50 - 75 photos for the creation of your loved one's dvd slideshow.
The United States Government will provide for veterans who receive other than a dishonorable discharge, a minimum of a grave space in a national cemetery for the veteran and his/her spouse, a government issued grave marker and a United States Burial Flag at no cost to the family. In some cases, other benefits may be available.
Veterans are also eligible for burial honors. The government will provide (when available) a minimum of a two person team to play taps, fold the flag, and present it to a designated person.
You should contact the local Veterans Affairs Office for additional information:
411 W. Coleman Ave. #1
Hammond, LA 70403
Phone: 985-542-3498
National Office: 800-827-1000
We will notify the Social Security Administration of the death of your loved one. A surviving spouse or dependent child may receive a special lump-sum death payment of $255 if they meet certain requirements. Generally, the lump-sum is paid to the surviving spouse who was living in the same household with the worker when they died. To see if you qualify for a special lump-sum death benefit or if you require any additional information, you may contact them directly.
The local office for Tangipahoa Parish:
2100 Robin Ave.
Hammond, Louisiana 70403
Phone: 855-848-7937
National Office: 800-772-1213
Website: https://www.ssa.gov/planners/index.html
When it comes to the loss of a loved one, many people are unprepared for the next steps they’ll need to take. Questions like “What accounts will I need to close?” and “How many copies of a death certificate do I need?” come as afterthoughts when dealing with grief and closing out estates. Having vital records and other important documentation organized and in one spot is the first step in managing the accounts and personal records for a loved one after they have passed.
Certified copies of the death certificates are required for filing life insurance, stock certificates, bonds, treasury bills, certificates of deposit, money market accounts, 401ks, retirement plans, IRAs, pensions, military benefits, rental storage, transfer of human remains, title transfer of ownership of real estate and motor vehicles, federal and state tax returns, social security, credit cards, cell phone providers and other utilities.
Certified copies are obtained from the Department of Health. The State of Louisiana currently charges $9.00 for the first certified copy and $7.00 for each additional certified copy. We can order as many certified copies of the death certificate as you require up to one year from the date of death.
The beneficiary may prefer to assign an insurance policy to the funeral home in an amount sufficient to cover the funeral expenses. We are able to file claims for you, assist you with filing claims, and answer any questions you may have.
No one wants to think about dying or losing a loved one, but you probably have thought about it, and somewhat planned for it. You may have written a will, purchased life insurance, and perhaps even discussed your preferences with your family. In fact, a nationwide survey revealed that 62% of the people responding, were interested in making advance funeral arrangements. We know from our personal experience in serving many generations of area families that pre-planning can be the greatest gift of caring. Pre-planning offers assurance and financial benefits for your family. You know that your arrangements will reflect your beliefs and desires. Your survivors will be spared the anxiety of making critical decisions at a time of personal crisis.
Harry McKneely and Son Funeral Home pre-arranged funeral services are funded by an insurance policy. These policies may acquire dividends over time, which are used to off-set increases for services and merchandise due to inflation. A properly arranged plan uses one's personal funds and is permitted under Medicaid or SSI guidelines.
For many generations, it has been Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home's privilege to serve the funeral needs of our community. Our knowledgeable and compassionate funeral directors are always available to help your family with various burial and cremation options. We offer a wide selection of caskets, vaults, urns, and other funeral merchandise. Our wide range of consumer-friendly services will fit all budgets, and we honor any assignable life insurance policies.
For the convenience of the families we serve, we have created different packages which include all the necessities for various types of services we offer. Our burial packages range from a traditional package with an evening wake, to an exclusive one-day service, to a simple graveside service. Our cremation packages range from a traditional service followed by cremation, to cremation with a memorial service, to a simple direct cremation. With the help of our caring funeral directors you can select the services that fit your needs.
