Memorials

The biographical information form is used ideally as a pre-planning tool. It contains a biography of a members life and career. In most cases the information on the form is only known to the member. It can be very useful to our Chaplain’s Office or others to create a eulogy for services and flag ceremonies.

Once a member passes it can be very difficult for families to reconstruct their lives and careers, particularly if a long time has passed since the member retired. The biographical information form can be a great gift for a member to provide for their families at that stressful time in their lives.

Survivors packets are a resource to guide the families when one of our members pass. It contains contact numbers and notifications that must be made for the timely continuation of benefits for the members family.

Ideally, it would be used as a pre-planning tool while the member lived, and kept with important papers. There are two versions; one for retirees of CALPERS, and another for retirees of LACERA.

Ideally, the best time is before a loss occurs. Many times the member is the best (or even only) source of this information. Some of this information is required by the retirement systems and is very difficult for the families to find, especially during times of grief. One scenario the packet is designed to prevent is the delay of income or health benefits from untimely notifications to the retirement systems, which has occurred to our members families.

The most important steps to take are notifications to the retirement systems. This starts the clock on their processing of the family’s claim for benefits. This procedure is contained in the packets. In some cases, our reunion committee can make the notifications on behalf of the family if we have the necessary information. We are honored to assist our member families at this difficult time in their lives if you choose to do so. Each family is different and has different preferences, which is another reason to use the packet as a pre-planning tool.

The services of the LACoFD Chaplains Office is available to all of our members regardless of which retirement system you retired from. Former City of Covina retirees are afforded the exact same privileges as LACoFD retirees.

The Chaplains Office serves as a non denominational gateway to services provided to the families of our departed brothers by the LACoFD. Its role is to provide as many or as few services as the family is comfortable with, and respect the family’s wishes. If the family would like spiritual assistance that can be provided, but it is not required. The Chaplains Office also handles coordination on behalf of the family for flag ceremonies, Line of Duty deaths, and can provide a eulogy based on the members Fire Department career, as well as other services the family might require. Think of the Chaplains Office as a LACoFD department liaison to a retirees family.

Yes, we would be honored to help act as a liaison on your behalf with the department if you are more comfortable with that. Feel free to email us at covinafire@gmail.com.