All honorably discharged veterans are entitled to a flag and grave marker. Some veteran survivors may be entitled to other monetary compensation from the Veterans Administration. For example, when a veteran's death occurred within a VA approved facility, was service connected or occurred while drawing a VA pension.

Recently passed legislation requires service branches to furnish service personnel to fold the flag and to play "Taps" for a graveside service. These new service offerings are in addition to Full Military Honors.

The Newberry County Veterans Affairs office will gladly answer any specific questions regarding VA benefits and can be reached through their website or (803) 321-2161 or mharmon@newberrycounty.net. You can also contact McSwain-Evans Funeral Home, the Veterans Administration or the Department of Defense.

McSwain-Evans Funeral Home will notify the Social Security Administration when a death occurs as survivors may be entitled to certain benefits. These may include survivor benefits, Medicare benefits, and benefits for surviving minor children.

For further information, please contact the local Social Security Administration office at (864) 984-6518, the national office at (800) 772-1213, the Social Security Administration web site or McSwain-Evans Funeral Home.

McSwain-Evans Funeral Home is a proud member for the National Funeral Directors Association. Please visit their web site for more information on the association.

Certified death certificates are legal documents used to help settle many business affairs pertaining to the disposition of an estate. Death certificates are obtained from the registrar of the county in which the death occurred.

The Probate Court, in the Newberry County Courthouse, is available to handle the legal aspects of settling an estate and can be reached at (803) 321-2118. When making an appointment with the Probate Court, they most likely will need a certified copy of the death certificate and, if available, the original will of the deceased.

Most people in the Newberry area have made the necessary preparations for space in the cemetery of their choosing. A large percentage of these are at the individual's own church. If you have not made plans for cemetery space, we will be happy to arrange a meeting with those responsible for your perspective burial location be it at your church or a perpetual care cemetery within the county.

At the time of death we will be glad to assist you with any flower orders. As we have no connection to any one florist in Newberry, we will call upon the one of your choosing.

B&B Florist   Flowers from the Heart   Thelma's Flowers & Gifts   Woolbright's Florist

803-276-3774 800-345-3774 803-276-4870 800-465-4278 803-364-5000 888-364-9500 803-276-6080 800-364-6965

Our staff will be happy to discuss what is customary for funeral floral arrangements.

McSwain-Evans Funeral Home will gladly assist you with settlement of your insurance proceeds at the time of death. Choices include consignment of insurance proceeds to either the beneficiary or to the funeral home. Whichever choice you make, we will be happy to assist you with the necessary administrative processes.

If you desire to handle your own insurance redemption, please remember that a certified copy of the death certificate and a fully completed claim form are needed for each insurance company involved. If you have questions or need assistance in acquiring the necessary forms, please do not hesitate to call on us.

A list of local monument sellers is included below for your convenience.

Burnsed's Cemetery Specialist   Sox Monuments

803-364-3110 803-427-9703 803-345-5458