Bereavement Package

The death of an employee is always a sad occasion, and it can be uncomfortable to deal with administrative details at such a time. However, It is essential to the welfare of the deceased employee's family to see that such details are attended to efficiently. To that end, this bereavement package has been assembled for use by the agencies.

Agencies who wish to supplement this bereavement package or who want to modify the sample letter to personalize it are welcome to do so.

Some agencies may already have a bereavement process in place that has proven to work; however, the bereavement process must include, at a minimum, the information contained in this bereavement package.

Thank you for your assistance with this matter.

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After the loss of a loved one you may experience many difficult feelings. You may experience physical and mental symptoms as well. If you are aware of the grieving process these symptoms can be quite upsetting. There are several easily recognizable stages of the grieving process. It is important to remember that everyone experiences grief in his/her own way and works through it in his/her own manner.

Typically the first stage of grief is denial. The impact of the news of our loved one's death is so intense we don't want to accept it. Frequently the first words of response are "no, it can't be."

In another stage of grieving it is common for the survivor to feel angry. The anger may be directed at the deceased, it may be at God or it may be a general state of being angry about everything.

Guilt feelings are often a part of the grieving process, commonly referred to as "bargaining". We review every detail of the time preceding the death looking for things we could have done differently to prevent the death.

Depression is another common part of the grieving process. It may manifest itself in sadness, withdrawal from family and friends, or crying.

Gradually, the grieving process subsides as the person begins to experience hope again. The death of the loved one is accepted and the feelings are more manageable.

There are many places to turn if you need professional help to get through the grieving process.

• Every region in Kentucky has community mental health centers. To locate the center nearest you check in your Yellow Pages under Mental Health Services or under Marriage, Family, Child and Individual Counselors. Community mental health centers operate on a sliding scale fee. They base their cost on your income and the number of dependents you have.
• Many areas in Kentucky have Hospice services. Hospice will be aware of Bereavement Specialists in your area. Hospice of the Bluegrass can be reached at 1-800-926-1302. The National Hospice link can be reached at 1-800-331-1620.
• Many funeral homes are knowledgeable about Bereavement Specialists. Do not hesitate to ask your funeral director about these services.
• Family physicians and clergy are where many people turn in times of grief. They can assist you with the physical or spiritual concerns you may have.

You can contact the Kentucky Employee Assistance Program at 1-800-445-5327 who can refer you to an appropriate specialist in your area.

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As you begin the grieving process it important to give yourself permission to mourn your loss. Our society has changed some of the expectations regarding mourning. There used to be a socially accepted time frame for the family members to be "in mourning." It seems this period of mourning has been lost in our "instant" society. Recognizing that grieving takes time helps us understand why we haven't "gotten over" it as soon as we think we should. Everyone's timetable is unique.

Developing a network of support can be one of the hardest yet most beneficial parts of the grieving process. Find friends that pay attention when you talk about your grief, friends that recognize that even in your pain you have good times, friends that don't judge the way you grieve.

If you need professional help - get it. If you are overusing alcohol or medication to cope with or to numb the pain, or if you are having thoughts of suicide seek professional help quickly. There are many avenues to receiving appropriate care. You may contact your physician, your community mental health center, your clergy or your employee assistance program.

• Every region in Kentucky has community mental health centers. To locate the center nearest you check in your Yellow Pages under Mental Health Services or under Marriage, Family, Child and Individual Counselors. Community mental health centers operate on a sliding scale fee. They base their cost on your income and the number of dependents you have.
• Many areas in Kentucky have Hospice services. Hospice will be aware of Bereavement Specialists in your area. Hospice of the Bluegrass can be reached at 1-800-926-1302. The National Hospice link can be reached at 1-800-331-1620.
• Many funeral homes are knowledgeable about Bereavement Specialists. Do not hesitate to ask your funeral director about these services.
• Family physicians and clergy are where many people turn in times of grief. They can assist you with the physical or spiritual concerns you may have.

You can contact the Kentucky Employee Assistance Program at 1-800-445-5327 who can refer you to an appropriate specialist in your area.

Remember, that's why they are there!

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Federal SSA Toll-free 1-800-772-1213

ASHLAND
606-324-0516
Carl D. Perkins Fed. Bldg.
1405 Greenup Ave., Rm. 132
Ashland, KY 41101
Boyd, Carter, Elliot, Greenup, Lawrence, Morgan, Rowan

BOWLING GREEN
502-842-5691
3219 Nashville Rd.
Bowling Green, KY 42102
Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmondson, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson, Warren

CAMPBELLSVILLE
270-465-4164
111 W. Main St.
Campbellsville, KY 42718
Adair, Casey, Cumberland, Green, Marion, Taylor, Washington, Russell

CORBIN
606-528-1806
614 Master St.
Corbin, KY 40701
Clay, Knox, Laurel, McCreary, Whitley

DANVILLE
859-236-3934 1615 Holiday Plaza
Danville, KY 40422
Boyle, Garrard, Lincoln, Mercer

ELIZABETHTOWN
270-769-2410
617 N. Mulberry
Elizabethtown, KY 42701
Breckinridge, Bullitt, Grayson, Hardin, Hart, Larue, Meade, Nelson

FT. MITCHELL
859-344-8342
228 Grandview Dr., Suite 101
Ft. Mitchell, KY 41017
Boone, Campbell, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Pendleton

FRANKFORT
502-875-2232
144 Flynn Avenue
Frankfort, KY 40602
Anderson, Carroll, Franklin, Henry, Oldham, Owen, Scott, Shelby, Spencer, Trimble, Woodford

HARLAN
606-573-6101
2603 Hwy. 421 South
Harlan, KY 40831
Harlan

HAZARD
606-439-1351
310 Campbell Dr.
Hazard, KY 41701
Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Perry

HENDERSON
270-826-4451
402 S. Green St.
Henderson, KY 42420
Henderson, Union

HOPKINSVILLE
270-886-3855
2100 Ft. Campbell Blvd.
Hopkinsville, KY 42240
Caldwell, Christian, Muhlenburg, Todd, Trigg

JACKSON
606-666-2462
1401 College Ave.
Jackson, KY 41339
Breathitt, Lee, Owsley, Wolfe

LEXINGTON
859-294-5633
2260 Executive Dr.
Lexington, KY 40505
Bath, Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Harrison, Jessamine, Menifee, Montgomery, Powell

LOUISVILLE
502-582-6690
601 W. Broadway, Rm. 101
Louisville, KY 40202
Jefferson

MADISONVILLE
270-825-9125
100 YMCA St.
Madisonville, KY 42431
Hopkins, Webster

MAYFIELD
270-247-8095
904 Paducah Rd.
Mayfield, KY 42066
Calloway, Fulton, Graves, Hickman

MAYSVILLE
606-564-9987
739 Hwy. 68 South
Maysville, KY 41056
Bracken, Fleming, Lewis, Mason, Nicholas, Robertson

MIDDLESBORO
606-248-1527
117 Lothbury Ave.
Middlesboro, KY 40965
Bell

OWENSBORO
270-688-3931
1100 Walnut St.
Owensboro, KY 42302
Daviess, Hancock, McLean, Ohio

PADUCAH
270-443-7506
546 Lone Oak Rd.
Paducah, KY 42002
Ballard, Carlisle, Crittenden, Livingston, Lyon, McCracken, Marshall

PIKEVILLE
606-432-2177
421 Second St.
Pikeville, KY 41501
Pike

PRESTONSBURG
606-886-8525
US 23 N. Auxler Rd.
Prestonsburg, KY 41653
Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, Martin

RICHMOND
859-624-5714
620 University Shopping Ctr.
Richmond Bypass
Richmond, KY 40475
Estill, Jackson, Madison, Rockcastle

SOMERSET
606-678-0825
94 Southport Dr.
Somerset, KY 42501
Clinton, Pulaski, Wayne

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VA has toll-free numbers for the convenience of veterans and dependents. To assure that accurate information and courteous responses are given to the public, VA supervisors occasionally monitor telephone calls. Toll-free telephone services include:

VA Benefits 1-800-827-1000

Life Insurance 1-800-669-8477

Debt Management Center 1-800-827-0648

Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD) 1-800-829-4833

CHAMPVA 1-800-733-8387

Headstones and Markers 1-800-697-6947

Persian Gulf Hotline 1-800-PGW-VETS (1-800-749-8387)

Persian Gulf TDD 1-800-829-4833

VA World Wide Net Home Page Server http://www.va.gov[]

Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs Web Page http://www.kdva.net/

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If death of an employee occurs within 4 years from date of injury as a direct result of a work related injury the estate of that employee may be entitled to a $50,000 lump sum payment, from which burial expenses are to be paid. For more information contact the following office:

Department of Workers' Claims
Perimeter Park West, Building C
1270 Louisville Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-5550