Having had to deal with the death of both of my parents within the last two years, I thought it might be useful to share with you all my “Plan F”.
Dealing with the emotional side of things is bad enough but there’s lots of impersonal, practical tasks that need to be carried out and almost nowhere to turn to that has a good practical guide to follow.
I’m just getting back to work and thinking more clearly now, below is a quick list of all the things I had to consider, deal with or delegate.
When I have a little more time, I’ll build on this list and am happy to answer any questions or comments you may have.
Funeral service –
- Venue
- Flowers
- Coffin
- Grave marker/stone
- Transport
- Vicar/Celebrant
- Donations
Provide/Know:
- Time and place for funeral
- Time and place for visitation
- Birthdate
- Birthplace
- Names of Father and Mother
- Their birthdays and place of birth
- Social Security Number
- National Insurance Number
- Education
- Marital status, date & place of marriage
- Mother’s maiden name
- Church baptised
- Cause of death
- Occupation
- Grandparents names
- List of survivors in immediate family
- Charities for memorial contribution
- List of people to tell/ask to let others knowObituary
- Photos/pictures/handout/memorial card?
Things to do
- Collect post
- The property should be inspected at least once a week and a log of the inspections kept.
- Register Death on receipt of certificate from Coroner
- Original death certificate to solicitor with other paperwork
- Get Deeds from the safe or solicitor
- Clear house valuables
- Original death certificate to Solicitor to cancel LPAs
- Probate forms back to Solicitor
- Find original deeds
- Cancel passport – https://tell-us-someone-died.dwp.gov.uk/ – need death certificate and death registered
- Inform energy provider
- Arrange house clearance/auction
- Arrange house sale with Estate Agent
- Cancel all bank accounts
- Cancel landline/possibly redirect
- House clearance
- Remedial electrical, gas or plumbing work
- Clear garden and sheds
- Arrange date for house photos
- House on market
- Inform water provider
- Inform pension provider
- Cancel Mobile phone contract
- Inform house insurance of change of circumstances and pay any additional fees for non-occupancy
- Inform council tax
- Register death
- Solicitor to sort out probate
- Send valuations to Solicitor
- On sale of house
- Cancel/Inform
- Insurance company
- Water Company
- Gas & Electric
- Local Council
- Cancel/Inform
- Calculate & distribute monies/estate once all settled