Your Essential Guide on What to Do When a Loved One Dies: A Checklist

We have all dealt with the death of a loved one at some point, and whilst it can be a difficult time, what makes matters worse is if we have to deal with the required paperwork and other arrangements as well. It can be a challenge to know exactly what to do when a person dies. All you want to do is grieve the loss, but it is still necessary to handle all the technical details and paperwork so everything can go as smoothly as possible. You would need to remember all the legalities, but what exactly are these legalities, and how can you take care of them in an efficient and proper manner?

Following is your essential guide on what to do when a loved one dies: a checklist.

The information you need

Before starting the paperwork, you need to have certain information to hand. You would need the person’s National Insurance number as well as their NHS number. You would also need their place of birth and birthdate, their civil partnership or marriage date (if any), the number for their Child Benefit, their tax reference number, and, if they are registered, their organ donor card.

During the first five days

During the first five days, you would need to arrange the following:

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During the first five days

During the first five days, you would need to arrange the following:

Inform their doctor or physician

Register their death at the Registrar’s Office, unless the death has been reported to the coroner (this is usually the case for sudden or unexpected deaths)

Look for the will; if the individual has a solicitor, you can contact them to confirm if they have one

Start planning arrangements for the funeral, and for this, you may need to see their will if they have any special instructions or requests. You may also want to rely on a funeral director like the funeral directors Leeds firm Carroll & Carroll Independent Funeral Services, who can arrange everything for you

If the individual is the first-name holder of an insurance policy, contact the insurance policy to confirm if you are still under the policy

If the person who passed away did not leave any will, decide who will be in charge of sorting out their affairs, and you should also contact the registry on probate so you can apply for a letter of administration.

Who to inform

Apart from letting loved ones and family members and friends know, you may also have to inform other authorities about the death. As an example, in order to close accounts and change or cancel insurance plans, agreements, subscriptions, direct debits and payments, the relevant banks and insurance companies would need to be contacted.

• The most important would be friends and relatives followed by the deceased’s employer or school, their accountant and their solicitor where required
• The Tax Office as well as the NI Contributions Office if the person was self-employed
• The Child Benefit Office within a period of eight weeks after the death
• LPS (Land & Property Services) if the person was a ratepayer or if they were receiving Rate Relief, Housing Benefits or a Rate Rebate
• The United Kingdom Identity and Passport Service
• The DVA or Driver Vehicle Agency to return their driving licence, change the ownership of a car or return their car registration or cancel their car tax
• Financial organisations such as insurance providers, pension providers, building societies and banks, mortgage providers, credit card companies, and loan or hire purchase providers

With extensive research and study, Simon passionately creates blogs on divergent topics. His writings are unique and utterly grasping owing to his dedication in researching for distinctive topics.