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You may apply at any Social Security office or our funeral home will always assist you in filing for these benefits and in filing insurance claims and paperwork that might be necessary at the time of death. The funeral identifies that a person's life has been lived, not that a death has occurred. A surviving spouse who lived in the same household as the deceased person at the time of death
2.

We have a tradition of service that is… Uniquely Caring.

I once heard a car commercial that has stuck with me over the years, it advertised that they were different from their competitors, and the difference was what made them who they are.

I thought that is how I feel about our funeral home.  I have been fortunate to work at a couple of different funeral homes in the area, and with this experience I have learned much.

Not saying that our funeral home is better than another, just saying we are different.  Yes our funeral home does what most funeral homes do, we provide care of the deceased, care for the family, have the video tributes, receptions at our funeral home, the limousines, large spacious facilities, good staff, grief support services, pre-arranging services, support local charities and civic groups, everything you would expect from a good funeral home.

But what is different about us?

One we will not call you, knock on your door, send mailings to you pursuing, pressuring you into making pre-arranged funeral services

We believe that you are wise enough to know when you want to talk about these things, not have someone tell you that you should.

We also feel that it should be a licensed funeral director talking to you about future funeral plans, not a commissioned sales person whose lively hood is dependent on how many pre-arranged funeral contracts they can sell.

Recently I observed on a particular funeral home’s website that they were almost bragging how many people they have signed up through their pre-need salesperson, we won’t do it this way.

Only one of our licensed funeral directors will talk to you about funeral services, and only when you ask us to, whether you stop in or we come to your home, it is all up to you!

Another thing that we feel is different from some other funeral homes, we believe in caring for younger children at the time of a death at no cost for our services to the family.  There are few if any more difficult situations in life than to have to bear the loss of a child to death.

Our funeral home has cared for many families, and sometimes those families have had serious financial issues with an illness, or other life situations that make funeral arrangements the breaking point for them.  We feel that everyone deserves to be cared for, no matter what and we will see to it that this is done with respect, dignity, and compassion.

Our funeral home in it’s many years of existence has never turned down a family, and we never will!

As a 16 year old young man, who mowed the grass, washed the cars, even polished silver for the guest of social gatherings at the funeral home, to the middle-aged man that has some 30 years of caring for many many families.

You have my word that we will care for your loved one and your family with care and compassion, and individual attention to the life that was lived and loved.

That is why I ask you to compare, and see what so many families have experienced with our care for them at the time of need.

“Our belief, our passion, and our promise to the families
that allow us to care for their loved ones is simply;
we will respect, celebrate, and care for your loved one,
as we would care for our own family.”

Funeral Homes Iowa City IA

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We're here for you no matter the time.

Start your arrangements today.

Send your condolences with a thoughtful floral arrangement.

Whether looking for affordable  Funeral Options or  Cremation Services, Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is your local funeral home located in Iowa City IA and can also service and cater to the families in the surrounding communities such as Hills and Amana IA.

Iowa City IA Funeral Homes

While there may be other reputable Funeral Homes serving families in Iowa City, Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is there for you and stands by you every step of the way to ensure we give your loved one an honorable Funeral Service.

Allow Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service the chance to serve your family. Contact us today to learn more about our Affordable Cost Options.

Frequently Asked Questions about Funerals

What purpose does a funeral serve?

The funeral and the ceremony that accompanies it are indeed very important.

If you wish, you may apply by telephone to the local Social Security office (Coralville) at: 1-866-964-2039.

Contacting Social Security

For more information and to find copies of Social Security publications, visit their website at https://www.ssa.gov or for the Coralville office call 1-866-964-2039 or the national Social Security office, 1-800-772-1213 (for the deaf or hard of hearing, call the TTY number, 1-800-325-0778).

A child or children eligible for or entitled to benefits for the month of death

Applying for Benefits

You must apply in order to receive benefits. Contact us 24/7 and for immediate need call 319-338-1132.

The greatest gift you can leave your loved ones is peace of mind during a difficult time.

It’s more than another funeral. That person who died is a life. They can answer specific questions from 7 am to 7 pm, Monday through Friday. A surviving spouse eligible for or entitled to benefits for the month of death
3.

Why choose Gay & Ciha Funeral Home?

What does it mean to be uniquely caring?

It’s more than a job.

There are people beyond the immediate family who have the right to grieve a death. Those who may receive monthly benefits include:

  • A widow or widower age 60 or older (50 if disabled), or at any age if caring for an entitled child who is under 16 or disabled

  • A divorced widow or widower age 60 or older (50 if disabled) if the marriage lasted 10 years, or if caring for an entitled child who is under 16 or disabled

  • Unmarried children up to 18 (19 if they are attending a primary or secondary school full-time)

  • Children who were disabled before reaching 22, as long as they remained disabled

  • Dependent parent or parents 62 or older
Lump-Sum Death Payment

A one time payment of $255 is paid in addition to the monthly cash benefits described above.

gay ciha

For instance, what would have happened in the United States if there had not been a funeral for President John F. Kennedy?

Social Security Benefits

The following checklist is designed to help you file for your Social Security benefits correctly so that prompt payments may be made.  At the time of death, we will send a notification to our local Social Security office, starting the process to end/change any benefits that are being received.

Social Security Benefits – Eligibility

The deceased worker must have credit for work covered by Social Security, ranging from 1 1/2 to 10 years depending on his or her age at death.

Information provided by automated phone service is available 24 hours a day.

If you have questions please don’t hesitate to contact the funeral home.


Part of our care for you, your family and your loved one is assisting in the filing of the necessary documents at the time of a death.  We automatically file with the Social Security Administration and the Veterans Administration if the deceased is a Veteran.  We will also assist in completing and filing for life insurance, pension, and other matters that need to be done at the time of death.

The Staff at Gay & Ciha Funeral & Cremation

Ever wonder who is the person greeting you at the door or the person behind the voice answering your call?

It is also important to notify the community that this person has died. To me we should remember the life of that individual in a unique way.

We pride ourselves about thinking every service is unique and those people who come to remember that life, hopefully they get that feeling, that it is individual and unique.

I like to think we are different than some funeral homes simply because we try to care for the deceased as an individual and not just as a funeral – not as a death.
For us it’s not about selling, a casket or an urn. It’s about the life that you wish to remember.

We invite you to compare the differences between funeral homes and see for yourself what so many families have discovered.

Now’s your chance to get to know the faces behind the scenes that make it all happen.

Our dedicated and supportive staff are here to guide you through this difficult journey. We take pride in doing our absolute best to ensure your needs are met.

Dan Ciha

Funeral Director, Owner

Colette Ciha Soults

Pastoral Care, Owner

Megan Ciha

Funeral Assistant

Lisa Ciha

Administrative Assistant

Linda Kron

Hair Stylist & Funeral Assistant

Bijou Maliabo

Funeral Assistant

Samantha Lynch

Funeral Director Intern

Judy Bennett

Funeral Assistant

Kathi Dykstra 

Funeral Assistant


Kathy Brack

Funeral Assistant


Sharon Kurt

Funeral Assistant

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Gertie

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It really is every family.

The lump-sum death payment (LSDP) is paid in the following priority order:

1. For those who are left behind, a funeral provides a place for family and friends to gather for support and to reminisce; an opportunity to celebrate the life and accomplishments of a loved one; a chance to say goodbye; and the focal point from which the healing process can begin.