Donald V. Borgwardt Funeral Home, P. A.
Established 1978
Established 1978
4400 Powder Mill Road Beltsville, Maryland 20705
(301) 937-1707
(301) 937-1707
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© Donald V. Borgwardt Funeral Home, P.A. All Rights Reserved
Frequently Asked Questions
What information do I need to bring when I go to the funeral home?
Please bring the following statistical information with you to assist the funeral director in filling out the death certificate:
Please bring the following statistical information with you to assist the funeral director in filling out the death certificate:
| · | Decedent's name (including maiden name) |
| · | Decedent's social security number |
| · | Decedent's Date and place of birth |
| · | Usual address of deceased |
| · | Education and usual occupation of deceased |
| · | Decedent's father's and mother's name (including maiden name) |
| · | Informant's name and relation to deceased |
I have just had a death in my family. What immediate action needs to be taken?
Call your funeral home; they can assist you in making all the necessary arrangements and advise you as to what steps need to be taken. Notify relatives and friends. The following items will be needed after the funeral service to assist with settling the estate: copies of the last will, insurance policies, and pertinent information on any bank accounts. Your funeral director can assist you in determining how many certified copies of the death certificate you will need.
Call your funeral home; they can assist you in making all the necessary arrangements and advise you as to what steps need to be taken. Notify relatives and friends. The following items will be needed after the funeral service to assist with settling the estate: copies of the last will, insurance policies, and pertinent information on any bank accounts. Your funeral director can assist you in determining how many certified copies of the death certificate you will need.
My loved one was a veteran. What will he/she be entitled to?
If you can provide a DD form 214 (discharge papers) your loved one may be eligible for a burial plot and marker in a state veteran's cemetery, or possibly a national cemetery, at no cost. Veteran's benefits are based on individual circumstances and can only be determined by the Veteran's Administration. Your funeral director can assist you in arranging for Military Honors for the service.
If you can provide a DD form 214 (discharge papers) your loved one may be eligible for a burial plot and marker in a state veteran's cemetery, or possibly a national cemetery, at no cost. Veteran's benefits are based on individual circumstances and can only be determined by the Veteran's Administration. Your funeral director can assist you in arranging for Military Honors for the service.
What are pre-arrangements?
A pre-arrangement is a written account of one's wishes that are to be carried out at death. The information gathered can be as basic as recording vital statistical information, or as thorough as selecting services and merchandise.
A pre-arrangement is a written account of one's wishes that are to be carried out at death. The information gathered can be as basic as recording vital statistical information, or as thorough as selecting services and merchandise.
Do I have to pay at the time of pre-arranging?
No. If you do prepay, all monies received by the funeral home will be placed into an interest-bearing trust account or life insurance policy for the benefit and purpose of payment for one's funeral. Pre-funding guarantees that the services and merchandise you select will not cost you any more at the time of need. However, cash advance items such as newspaper notices, flowers, and cemetery expenses cannot be guaranteed because the funeral home has no control over the rising cost associated with these services.
No. If you do prepay, all monies received by the funeral home will be placed into an interest-bearing trust account or life insurance policy for the benefit and purpose of payment for one's funeral. Pre-funding guarantees that the services and merchandise you select will not cost you any more at the time of need. However, cash advance items such as newspaper notices, flowers, and cemetery expenses cannot be guaranteed because the funeral home has no control over the rising cost associated with these services.
Why do I need to make pre-arrangements?
There are people who have never experienced the death of someone close, made funeral arrangements, or who have even attended a funeral. Not knowing what to expect is difficult before a death occurs, but is even more difficult afterwards. Knowing what a funeral will cost is one helpful aspect of pre-arranging. Pre-arranging for one's funeral has often been considered one of the greatest gifts of love an individual can bestow upon his/her family.
There are people who have never experienced the death of someone close, made funeral arrangements, or who have even attended a funeral. Not knowing what to expect is difficult before a death occurs, but is even more difficult afterwards. Knowing what a funeral will cost is one helpful aspect of pre-arranging. Pre-arranging for one's funeral has often been considered one of the greatest gifts of love an individual can bestow upon his/her family.
Is embalming required by law?
No. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) states that except in certain cases, embalming is not required by law. Embalming may be necessary, however, if you select certain funeral arrangements, such as a funeral with a public viewing.
No. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) states that except in certain cases, embalming is not required by law. Embalming may be necessary, however, if you select certain funeral arrangements, such as a funeral with a public viewing.
Is a casket required for cremation?
No. A casket is not legally required when you arrange for a direct cremation. You may, however, choose to have traditional services such as a viewing and funeral ceremony prior to cremation. In these circumstances, a cremation casket may be purchased or rented.
No. A casket is not legally required when you arrange for a direct cremation. You may, however, choose to have traditional services such as a viewing and funeral ceremony prior to cremation. In these circumstances, a cremation casket may be purchased or rented.
What is the etiquette for attending a funeral?
Etiquette questions can be answered here.
Etiquette questions can be answered here.
Does the state require an outer burial container for the cemetery?
No. There is no legal requirement to purchase an outer burial container. An outer burial container is a receptacle that is placed into the grave to encase the casketed remains. While there is no law requiring the purchase of an outer burial container, most cemeteries have individual requirements regarding the use and/or purchase of an outer burial container.
My loved one, who was under hospice care, has just died. Who do I notify?
First, place a call to your hospice representative, who in turn, will come to the place of death and make the official pronouncement of death. The representative will then contact the attending physician. A call should be placed to the funeral home at this time, and the funeral director will arrange for the transfer of your loved one to the funeral home and will coordinate securing a signed death certificate from the attending physician.
First, place a call to your hospice representative, who in turn, will come to the place of death and make the official pronouncement of death. The representative will then contact the attending physician. A call should be placed to the funeral home at this time, and the funeral director will arrange for the transfer of your loved one to the funeral home and will coordinate securing a signed death certificate from the attending physician.
My loved one is being buried in a Maryland Veteran's cemetery. Are flowers accepted?
Yes. Flowers are accepted by the cemetery, but will be placed on top of the grave following the burial. Committal or graveside services at a Maryland Veteran's cemetery are conducted in an enclosed chapel. Cemetery regulations do not permit flowers in the chapel for the service.
Yes. Flowers are accepted by the cemetery, but will be placed on top of the grave following the burial. Committal or graveside services at a Maryland Veteran's cemetery are conducted in an enclosed chapel. Cemetery regulations do not permit flowers in the chapel for the service.
*Additional inquiries may be made by visiting the "Contact Us" tab
How do I talk to my children about death?
Honesty is the best policy. Always use clear and distinctive language when discussing death with your children. If children are to attend a funeral, they should be prepared for what they will hear and see before, during, and after the services. They should be aware that on such occasions people will be expressing their bereavement in various ways. Children need to know that death is a part of life and they need to be able to process this at their own pace. If children show interest in attending the visitation and services, they should be encouraged to do so; however, they should not be forced to attend. If possible, someone who can give serious and direct answers to questions the children may ask should accompany them. As a gentle reminder, children should always be under the watchful eye of their parents.
Honesty is the best policy. Always use clear and distinctive language when discussing death with your children. If children are to attend a funeral, they should be prepared for what they will hear and see before, during, and after the services. They should be aware that on such occasions people will be expressing their bereavement in various ways. Children need to know that death is a part of life and they need to be able to process this at their own pace. If children show interest in attending the visitation and services, they should be encouraged to do so; however, they should not be forced to attend. If possible, someone who can give serious and direct answers to questions the children may ask should accompany them. As a gentle reminder, children should always be under the watchful eye of their parents.
I am attending a Jewish funeral service for the first time. What do I need to know?
When a death occurs in the Jewish community, the belief is that the life of the person who has died should be honored in a simple, dignified manner. The Jewish custom teaches that following the funeral service, the survivors return to life as soon as possible. According to Jewish custom, flowers are not sent or received. Except under certain circumstances, embalming and public viewing is not tradition. Out of respect for the faith, a yarmulke or veil may be worn by a gentile depending on the custom of the rabbi.
When a death occurs in the Jewish community, the belief is that the life of the person who has died should be honored in a simple, dignified manner. The Jewish custom teaches that following the funeral service, the survivors return to life as soon as possible. According to Jewish custom, flowers are not sent or received. Except under certain circumstances, embalming and public viewing is not tradition. Out of respect for the faith, a yarmulke or veil may be worn by a gentile depending on the custom of the rabbi.
Can I have my loved one transported to or from another state or country?
Yes. There are certain state and international jurisdictional rules and regulations that must be adhered to. Your local funeral director can assist you with identifying the proper protocol and making arrangements.
Yes. There are certain state and international jurisdictional rules and regulations that must be adhered to. Your local funeral director can assist you with identifying the proper protocol and making arrangements.
Can I scatter cremated remains?
There are state and federal laws pertaining to the scattering of cremated remains on public domain. Your local funeral director can provide you with this information.
There are state and federal laws pertaining to the scattering of cremated remains on public domain. Your local funeral director can provide you with this information.
What is the etiquette for attending a funeral?
I have just had a death in my family. What immediate action needs to be taken?
What information do I need to bring when I go to the funeral home?
My loved one, who was under hospice care, has just died. Who do I notify?
My loved one was a veteran. What will he/she be entitled to?
My loved one is being buried in a Maryland Veteran's cemetery. Are flowers accepted?
What are pre-arrangements?
Do I have to pay at the time of pre-arranging?
Why do I need to make pre-arrangements?
Is embalming required by law?
Is a casket required for cremation?
Does the state require an outer burial container for the cemetery?
How do I talk to my children about death?
I am attending a Jewish funeral service for the first time. What do I need to know?
Can I have my loved one transported to or from another state or country?
Am I allowed to scatter cremated remains anywhere?
Can a life insurance policy be assigned to the funeral home as a form of payment for at need funeral arrangements?
Do we need to contact the Social Security Administration at the time of death?
I have just had a death in my family. What immediate action needs to be taken?
What information do I need to bring when I go to the funeral home?
My loved one, who was under hospice care, has just died. Who do I notify?
My loved one was a veteran. What will he/she be entitled to?
My loved one is being buried in a Maryland Veteran's cemetery. Are flowers accepted?
What are pre-arrangements?
Do I have to pay at the time of pre-arranging?
Why do I need to make pre-arrangements?
Is embalming required by law?
Is a casket required for cremation?
Does the state require an outer burial container for the cemetery?
How do I talk to my children about death?
I am attending a Jewish funeral service for the first time. What do I need to know?
Can I have my loved one transported to or from another state or country?
Am I allowed to scatter cremated remains anywhere?
Can a life insurance policy be assigned to the funeral home as a form of payment for at need funeral arrangements?
Do we need to contact the Social Security Administration at the time of death?
Can a life insurance policy be assigned to the funeral home as a form of payment for at-need funeral arrangements?
Yes, in most cases a life insurance policy can be assigned to the funeral home, but there are exceptions to this. For example, federal government insurance through OPM/FEGLI will only work with the beneficiary of the policy. It is recommended that you check with your insurance company or agent to see if your policy is assignable.
Yes, in most cases a life insurance policy can be assigned to the funeral home, but there are exceptions to this. For example, federal government insurance through OPM/FEGLI will only work with the beneficiary of the policy. It is recommended that you check with your insurance company or agent to see if your policy is assignable.
Do we need to contact the Social Security Administration at the time of death?
Your funeral director will notify the SSA with a statement of death, so a certified death certificate is not required. If the deceased was receiving benefits, or if you think you may be eligible for survivor's benefits, you should contact SSA.
Your funeral director will notify the SSA with a statement of death, so a certified death certificate is not required. If the deceased was receiving benefits, or if you think you may be eligible for survivor's benefits, you should contact SSA.
