Losing a loved one leaves a traumatic hole in your heart, whether or not you expected it. You may wish to close the door on society for a while. However, you may not be able to do so if they appointed you executor, or you otherwise have to take the first step after your loved one dies.
An Empty Beach at Bexhill (John Winfield BY CC 2.0)
First Step After a Loved One Dies: Registering the Death
You can’t even appoint a funeral director without registering the death within five days, where after you receive a certificate of burial. However, there may be complications. These are the commonest circumstances and guidelines to be aware of:
If the coroner is involved …
The coroner becomes involved if a doctor did not treat the deceased during their final illness, or the cause of death was sudden, suspicious, violent, or unnatural such as accident or suicide.
The coroner will allow a doctor to sign a medical certificate if they decide a post-mortem or inquest is unnecessary. You can then register the death and receive a ‘certificate for burial’.
If the death was outside the UK…
Your first step after a loved one dies outside the UK is registering the death with the country concerned. But if they were on a ship in international waters at the time, that means the country where the vessel was registered.
However, in some instances you may also be able to register the death within the UK. You will need the death certificate (or a certified English translation) before the coroner will consider providing permission for burial or cremation.
A Memorial Garden at Strathclyde Park (Elliott Simpson BY CC 2.0)
If the person is missing …
You can apply for a ‘certificate of presumed death’ from the high court, if you are their spouse, civil partner, child, or sibling and one of the following is true:
1… They have been missing for seven years or more and you don’t know their whereabouts.
2… They have been missing for less than seven years, but you believe they vanished during a traumatic event.
However, the missing person must have regarded England or Wales as their permanent home, and you must have been living there for the past year too. You would also need to prove the missing person lived in Wales or England for twelve months before the last date they were known to be alive
Your Second Step After a Loved One Dies in England or Wales
You now have a certificate of burial, or a certificate of presumed death in your hands. Obtain several certified copies, and lodge the original in a safe place. Finally, you can go ahead with arrangements for the final disposal of the body, or a suitable memorial gathering.
Memorial Garden at Penlee, Cornwall (Ron Strutt BY CC 2.0)
Arranging a funeral for your departed loved one
You will need to make arrangements for the disposal of the body, with or without a service or a memorial event. You can make these arrangements directly with a service provider, or appoint a funeral director to this for you for a fee.
Try to find out whether the deceased left instructions behind. They may have left a will, or shared thoughts with someone you know. Their financial adviser may alert you to a funeral plan or life insurance. Not having to pay could take a weight off your mind.
Obtaining financial support to tide you over
You may also qualify for a bereavement support payment if your husband, wife or civil partner died in the last 21 months. But you need to apply within three months of their death to receive the full amount. You also need to meet these criteria:
1… Your husband, wife or civil partner paid National Insurance contributions for at least 25 weeks in one tax year since 6 April 1975. Plus they must have died because of an accident at work or a disease caused by work.
2… You, the claimant must have been under UK state pension age, and living in the UK (or a country that pays bereavement benefits) at the time of the death.
Announcing the death to others
There will probably be a number of people to tell informally, such as relatives, friends, employer, colleagues and so on. However, you will simplify closing the estate out if you also tell affected banks, utility companies, and landlords / housing associations yourself.
Remember though, these people will freeze everything in stone once you do, so make sure the timing is appropriate. However, the government may not allow you the same luxury. Fortunately they have a ‘tell us once service’ that simplifies the process.
More Advice Available from Jeffrey Avery
Avery Associates is a para legal service, assisting with valuation of household goods and deceased estates. We offer a house clearance service including disposal, delivery to charity shops and so on. We introduced this service at the request of clients seeking an environmentally-responsible option. Read Avery Associates reviews.
Another Review by a Satisfied Client
This truly is a ‘one stop shop’ for all things relating to Probate valuations and clearance. Jeffrey is a ‘facilitator’ and full marks to him for finding a niche market all those years back. Adam and Paul did a sterling job in clearing my late brother’s property and with good humour too. Jeffrey valued the contents and arranged a RICS Surveyor to carry out a ‘Red Book’ valuation. Job done! During the entire process, I was kept informed. Thank you so much. I live 100 miles away from the property and I needn’t have worried. Everything went according to Jeffrey’s plan! I warmly recommend them. J Schon
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