In a message dated 4/4/2002 6:06:50 AM Eastern Standard Time, OHLORAIN-D-request@rootsweb.com writes: << Dear Researchers, Just verified with my local funeral director some information for this SS death benefit discussion we have been having on the list. He said...."that in 1994 the SS death benefit law was changed, so that the one-time benefit would hence forth be paid only to a surviving spouse that is living at the same address or to a dependent child." He also said that in the early 1990's, in OHIO, the death certificates may longer list the address of a nursing home as the address of the deceased. Must list the former address of the deceased, if not found, than that address of the nearest relative. He does not know about the law for other states. Hope this helps, remember the date of the law change was 1994. >> I must apoligize for my incorrect answer that the nearest of kin was able to get the $255 burial allowance from SS. My wife died in 1993 and the answer I got then is reflected in my answer. From the above it is clear that this is no longer valid. Tom Powell