Funeral Directors

Caring Matters Death Practical Issues

When you are prepared to deal with the formalities following the death of the person you have cared for, advice and further emotional support should be available from local information services, including your local library.

The following checklist, produced by the Carers Liaison Service, could help to ease your mind if you are concerned about remembering all the different things that need addressing.

Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death

If the person has died at home or in hospital the doctor will issue a medical certificate with the cause of death, and a formal notice explaining how you register the death. There is no charge for this.

Registration

Deaths must be registered within five working days in the area in which the death occurred. The registrar will issue you with:
1/ A green certificate for burial or cremation.
2/ A copy of the certified entry (known as the death certificate). It is advisable to buy extra copies of this if you need to let multiple organizations know about the death.
3/ A white certificate of registration of death, which is required for social security purposes

Funeral Costs

These can be paid from the estate of the person that has died. If your savings are modest and you receive a means-tested benefit you may be eligible for support from the social fund.
If you cannot get any other help, you may in certain circumstances be able to get help from your local council.

Administration of estate checklist

• Is there a Will?
• If so, who is the executor?
• Notify the executor
• Notify the solicitor if appropriate
• If there is a Will, apply for grant of probate (does not apply in Scotland)
• If there is no Will, apply for letters of administration
• If the estate is modest, it is sometimes possible for assets to be released without applying for such a grant.
• Contact your local probate office for details.

Organizations to Notify

• Return the pension/benefit book of the person who has died.
• Notify JobCentre Plus/Pensions service if any benefits are paid into a bank account.
• Notify the appropriate organisations if the deceased had any occupational pensions, or a life insurance policy, with a copy of the death certificate.
• Notify the Bank/Building Society and mortgage company with acopy of the death certificate and information about probate.
• Notify the landlord if the deceased lived in rented accommodation.
• Housing benefit or Council tax benefit if appropriate with a copy of the death certificate.
• Executor of the will (to arrange probate)
• Gas, electricity, water, telephone and cable companies.
• General insurance companies, e.g. buildings and contents insurance.
• DVLA regarding driving licence
• Car insurance company – this is very important as the policy may need to be re-issued.
• Inland Revenue
• Social and caring services
• Home care/day care centre
• Meals on wheels
• Credit cards, hire purchase, rentals.
• Passport Office
• Library
• Membership of any Clubs and Societies
• Cancel appointments, e.g. doctor, dentist, optician, hairdresser
• Return any drugs to the pharmacist for safe disposal
• You may also wish to stop any unwanted ‘mailshots’ or telephone calls for the person that has died. to do so, contact the Direct Marketing Assoc helpline on 0845 703 4599

Sorting out your own finances

Your entitlement to benefits may change as a result of bereavement. Your local Citizens Advice Bureau will be able to check this for you. One such example of a benefit you may be entitled to is the Bereavement Allowance. The DirectGov website also has useful information on Bereavement Payment a one-off lump sum you may be entitled to.