Post-Funeral Counseling/Estate Planning

Over fifty years ago, Ora L. Wooster, Jr. developed and instituted an idea to assist families after the funeral. Ora was known to quote, "our services do not stop at the cemetery." What he meant was that after the funeral he still wanted to help families. Ora assisted families with Social Security Benefits, Veterans Benefits and Insurance Benefits. Ora continued to acquire information, phone numbers and addresses to Railroad Retirement Office, Civil Service (Office of Personnel Management), Local Union Benefits and New Jersey Public Employees Benefit Department and many others.

Into the 1960's and 1970's, Ora educated himself on the process of probating wills. This service assisted families with probate at the Surrogate's office, which helped families financially by not needing legal assistance. He also offered advice with New Jersey Inheritance Tax Laws helping families with tax forms. Ora offered these services to families "Free of Charge."

In 1979, Richard L. Wooster and Ora L. Wooster, III joined the firm as third generation funeral directors. Ora Lee Wooster, III took an interest in his father's knowledge in these many areas and began to listen and absorb this helpful information to continue this Post-Funeral Counseling tradition.

Presently, Lee continues to assist families in these many facets of the Ora L. Wooster Funeral Home After Care Program.

In all services, we will contact Benefit Department, obtain and complete forms and return by certified mail. All of these services are free of charge.

• Social Security Benefits
  Lump sum Death Benefit and Survivors Benefit pamphlets available provided by Social Security Administration
• Veteran's Benefits
  Survivor Benefits - Burial Allowance - Veteran's Pension Benefits
• Veteran's Monuments
  Assist with application, upon receipt delivery to cemetery
• Local Unions
  Civil Service (Office of Personnel Management)
  Railroad Retirement
  New Jersey Public Employees
  PSE&G
  RCA
• All Major Insurance Companies
  Prudential, Met Life, John Hancock, AARP, any other Insurance Co.
• Probate Wills
  We offer families help with the surrogate's office, identifying assets, setting up estate accounts and many other areas of estate work. We have found that with proper instruction most individuals are able to complete this process on their own.
• Inheritance Tax
  Offer assistance on small estates. Any estate that has over $650,000.00 requires NJ Estate Tax. It is recommended to seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in this area.