When a loved one dies, it can be very upsetting and overwhelming for everyone involved. However, there are numerous important matters that need to be addressed in the wake of a death, and these should be handled by the family member who is best equipped to deal with it all.
In this article, we are going to talk you through some of the things that need to be dealt with in the event of a death. Keep reading if you’d like to find out more.
Get A Medical Certificate
The first thing that needs to be obtained in the event of a death is a medical certificate. While you might be grieving for your loved one, it is important that you get this as soon as possible to make this process simpler. If there is a coroner’s inquest into the death, then this might take a little longer. The hospital will usually give you a certificate if your loved one has died there, otherwise, you might need to get in contact with a GP.
Registering The Death
Once you have the certificate, you need to go ahead and register the death within a few days. For those in England, Wales or Northern Ireland the period is five days, whereas it is eight days for deaths in Scotland. You will need to do this with the local authority and might need to pay a fee for the death certificate.
Arranging The Funeral
A funeral is often a sad time for the family members of someone who has died but it can also be seen as a celebration of life. It is important that you arrange a funeral as soon as you are able to as you will likely have a body that needs to be taken care of. You can arrange the funeral yourself or with the help of an experienced funeral director.
Administering An Estate
With death, there are many legal matters including the last will and testament of the deceased person. Once you are ready, you should get started on administering their estate. A solicitor can help you with administering an estate and obtaining the Grant of Probate. This is very important, and it will require identifying assets and valuing them for the purpose of the will. Make sure to choose a solicitor who is experienced in these matters to make the process as simple as possible.
Talk To Others
Our final tip for those who are dealing with the death of a loved one is to make sure that you talk to others. While there are many legal matters that need to be handled, you need to remember that it is good to grieve. Don’t let yourself become consumed by the things you need to handle, talk to others and make sure that you don’t bottle things up.
If a loved one has recently passed away, make sure to have someone handle everything that we have discussed in this article. Don’t forget to take some time to properly grieve once all of these matters have been handled.
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