What to do now?
The Government website provides comprehensive information about the steps that need to be taken when someone dies.
The government does run a helpful Tell Us Once service that can be completed to notify all relevant departments/organisations of a death.
An important consideration to be had at the outset is whether there is an entitlement to bereavement benefits, in which there is a limited time within which to claim.
Arrange a funeral
When arranging a funeral, check if the deceased left any instructions or had a pre-paid funeral plan. If not, the executor or nearest relative will usually decide whether the body will be cremated or buried. Funeral directors must provide a standard price list, so it’s important to ask for an itemised quote. There may be additional fees for third parties, such as the crematorium or clergy.
Funeral costs can be covered by family, life insurance, a pre-paid plan, or the deceased’s estate. If you are responsible and on a low income, you may be eligible for a Funeral Expenses Payment to help with the costs, but eligibility rules apply.
