Frequently Asked Questions
1.) Where do we get Death Certificates ? (D.C)
If death occurs in the residence: Informant will need to go to City H ealth Dept.
If Death occurs in the hospital: It’s the hospitals’ task to issue the D.C.
Note: Once hospital bills are fully paid, the hospital will issue 3 copies of the said death certificates. If balance is still pending upon the release of cadaver from the hospital, one D.C. is only released. Upon full payment the other 2 copies will be released by the hospital.
2.) When is autopsy a requirment ?
Autopsy is a must for all Medico-legal Cases Medico-legal cases are those that have no attending physician present during death and those whose death has been of questionable nature or cause of death is unknown. It is also done when City Health Officers refer it as a Medico-legal Case.
3.) Do you process SSS claims for us ?
Yes, You will have to sign a waiver, waiving your right to process the SSS burial claim to us. Please inquire more of it from our Customer Service desk .
4.) How long does it take to process SSS burial claims ?
The regular time to process SSS claims is 2 weeks upon completion and submission of all necessary required documents. However this is a case to case basis as to there are some people who have many problems with their papers which is the main cause of the delay in processing the SSS burial claim.
5.) What are the requirements that has to be complied for the SSS burial claim to be processed ?
SSS Requirements vary on a case to case basis the following are the requirements:
A.) If deceased is married-mother/father/husband/wife
Beneficiaries
a.) spouse
in the absence and/or death of spouse
b.) Son(s)/ daughter(s) who can right away provide birth certificate of himself/herself
c.) nearest kin
Things needed to be submitted days before burial date:
* SSS print-out
* Original copy of marriage contract with registry number
* If death of both spouses, child or nearest kin should secure a copy of the spouses death certificates
* original birth certificate of the claimant
* If deceased is a pensioner, claimant should submit latest copy of pension voucher or bankbook
B.) If deceased is son and/or daughter
* Beneficiaries: parents
: brother(s)/ sister(s)
: nearest kin
Things to be submitted days before burial date:
* SSS print-out
* If claimant is mother/father, she/he should submit original copy of the birth certificate of the deceased
* In the absence of parents, brothers and/ or sisters should submit his/her original birth certificate
* If deceased is a pensioner, claimant should submit photocopy of latest pension voucher or bankbook
C.) If single with a live-in partner/unmarried and there is no more nearest kin alive
Beneficiary: live in partner
Things to be submitted days before burial date:
* SSS print-out
* a joint-affidavit notarized by a public attorney is a must
– should state the number of years staying together
– should state number of children and their ages
NOTE: SSS waiver and requirements are to be submitted before burial date.
Failure to comply, SFMH will have to request claimants/ family members to pay full amount before interment date. On the other hand, importance of SSS printout is for the company’s assurance that the SSS membership of the deceased is still active even before burial date is scheduled . [Back to top]
6.) Do you process SSS Death claims ? – No
7.) Do you also process GSIS ?
We do not process GSIS claims however we accept GSIS checks as payment.
8.) What is your policy regarding payments ?
SFMH policy is 50% downpayment upon typing of contract and full payment one day before interment date. If contracting party can’t comply with the policy then he/she should personally visit our office and meet with our billing supervisor for an agreement.
A day before burial date, a SFMH collector will visit your place to assist our facilities and make collections. If in doubt of our personnel, ask for an I.D. or you may call our office for verification. [Back to top]
9.) Are candles provided for our vigil ?
Our service does not include candles. Some of our employees sell candles as a sideline, however we take no responsibility for any product that you buy from them. If there are some of our employees who had not been reasonable and courteous to you during the sale of their candles we encourage you to tell us about it.
10.) If we desire for a service or mass to be hold in one of SFMH chapels, will you assist us ?
Yes. We’ll set up the table, cloth, and chair for the priest. But you will have to contact the priest or minister of your choice. However since St. Francis is owned by a member of Bible Baptist church we would be glad to hold a funeral service for you free of charge. Please inform our customer service in advance so that things can be set up.
11.) During vigil in SFMH chapel, can we use the electricity for other uses and recreations?
Yes, we do allow the use of our electricity for a water dispenser. Appliances that consume much electricity (Heat producing appliances) like electric stoves, electric iron, etc. are not allowed. If you are using appliances such as radios or cassette players please refrain from making too much noise so as not to disturb others who are also having their vigil.
12.) When do we schedule for burial ?
Upon typing of contract, contracting party should state when the interment will be. If, however, not decided upon then inform us soon as possible or 3 days before interment date. Please state the time of the mass so that our drivers may know when to come. We do not take responsibility if we cannot provide a vehicle for the internment of you do not notify us 3 days before your schedule of interment. We advice that if chosen burial date is Sunday, then have it scheduled as early as Wednesday. Once our schedule is full then we advice you to have your interment on another date. [Back to top]
13.) What will we do next after our deceased has been delivered in the place of vigil ?
You need to contact your church and cemetery for schedule of interment. If ever they’ll ask for a burial and/ or transfer permit, inform them that St. Francis is still securing it for you.
Transfer permits are only necessary when cadaver needs to be transferred from one city to another. Permit cannot be secured if cemetery hasn’t been decided yet. So, inform us as soon as possible where interment will be.
14.) Where can we acquire for a registry number of our deceased ?
Although we are not responsible anymore to register the death certificate since there are some relatives who do not give us the complete copies of the death certificate. Those that request assistance in the registration are those that we only help free of charge provided they comply with the necessary papers. 10 days after contract has been made please inquire with our liaison officer for a registry number.
15.) When plans of transferring our cadaver via shipping lines, What are the necessary permits required and who is responsible for them ?
We will be responsible for the transfer permit. We assist the contracting party in getting the Bill of Lading however it is the responsibility of the contracting party to secure the bill of lading.