Have you explored the option of having her cremated? We did that with my grandparents, and it was way cheaper than buying a casket. Plus, someone told me that they cannot embalm her without your say so. So if they've embalmed her without asking you, you may not have to pay them since they did it without permission. If cremation is an option, you may want to go that route since it'd be way cheaper and then you'd have more money left to pay for bills and drugs.

Fourteen days now and still waiting for Death Certificate.

Mom always wanted to be buried and since there is money in her account to do it, I will bury as soon as damned certificate arrives.

Mom died in a different county so hard to get to pick up Death Certificate.

I just called the mortuary to see what the hold up is on getting a death certificate. They said they are still trying to get a physician to sign it and that it might take several more days. I had promised my creditors, namley cable and gas I would have the money by then.

By this Saturday it looks as I will be offline till the certificate comes in...crap.

As soon as my clothes come out of the dryer, I'm walking a mile down to the County Coroners office to see what first hand information I can gather on mom's Death Certificate. I'll post what I find out upon my return.

Did I mention before that I hate County Government red tape and funeral homes?

I walked a mile down to the County Offices and even found the Sheriff's department. Unfortunately, the Coroners wasn't there. It was some place on Lina street which I looked for but did not find after another mile so I gave up and walked home.

To reiterate (sp) I hate County Red Tape, funeral homes and walking :P_

I'm ready to tear my hair out - if I had any left.

I called the Coroner today who said the actual death certificate could take several more weeks. But, he said I can pick up a Pending Death Certificate for $12.00.

I walked down to county records who charged me $12.00 and THEN told me the certificate wasn't ready yet. It seems the funeral home still had to file paperwork. I called the funeral home and they promised it by next week.

I borrowed from next weeks Social Security check to pay off cable so I wouldn't lose internet. I was hoping on having the DEath Certificate to gain access to mom's savings account to to cover her funeral, my gas bill and some groceries.

Twas not to be...yet.

Bureaucracy sucks

I think I am beginning to understand why the government process in the state of California is so screwed up.

If it take so long to process a death certificate how can they ever get anything done that effects the living.

I feel so sorry that wolfie has to live and put up with such in competence.

MacTheWolf (imported) wrote: Wed Jan 07, 2009 6:18 pm Fourteen days now and still waiting for Death Certificate.

Mom always wanted to be buried and since there is money in her account to do it, I will bury as soon as damned certificate arrives.

Mom died in a different county so hard to get to pick up Death Certificate.

Is the funeral home charging for storage? Generally, they have been known to do such things.

Wolfie, this SUCKS, and does this happen to everybody where you live, or are you somebody who is being singled out for special treatment? If this does not happen to everybody the next place I would walk would be to the nastiest television channel and see if they would air this story. Frankly, it IS pretty disgusting, in my opinion...

By Saturday, the gas for heat and cooking and the water will be cut off. I can live without heat for a while but not having water for the pets or me is a bit much.

Hopefully, next week will be different. Yes, I'm being optimistic...what else is there within sanity's reach?

MacTheWolf (imported) wrote: Sat Jan 10, 2009 12:28 am By Saturday, the gas for heat and cooking and the water will be cut off. I can live without heat for a while but not having water for the pets or me is a bit much.

Hopefully, next week will be different. Yes, I'm being optimistic...what else is there within sanity's reach?

Wolfie,

There should be an agency that will help you to keep your utilities on. It looks like you should contact Los Angeles County Area Agency on Aging -- Title V. That would be the office of...

William T. Fujioka, CEO

713 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration

Telephone# 213-974-1101

httP://ceo.lacounty.gov

...assuming that you live in LA county. But Googeling...

[(your city) (your County and state) Area Agency on Aging -- Title V]

...should get you information to get to the right place to contact folks that can help you.

These folks can help you find employment and help you with all sorts of things, generally speaking, and keep you from getting your utilities shut off.

If they shut them off you will probably be charged a deposit to get them turned back on, in addition to what is due... so do this TODAY if at all possible. I doubt that it would happen without notice, but still, you need to get somebody in your local area to help you.

O.K.?