Bereavement Checklist

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Octavia Chambers
6 years ago
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1 Bereavement Checklist

2 Introduction We have provided this easy to use step by step checklist to try and make things as simple as possible during this difficult time. We appreciate that not everyone has had to go through this process before and as such this list, whilst not exhaustive, should cover most of the areas that you will need to consider following the death of a loved one. If there is anything you are unsure of please do not hesitate to speak to one of our colleagues who will be more than willing to assist you with your questions. 2

3 Registering the death Contact the doctor (GP) or hospital about obtaining the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, or contact the coroner s officer (see our Local Information section for contact details) to find out when the relevant certificate will be ready. Telephone the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages to make an appointment to register the death. Please see our Registration of a Death procedure for full details of the information you will need to provide. Complete the Notification or Registration of Death (BD8) form that you were given by the Registrar. This document will inform the Government departments of the death, but it is also advisable to contact relevant Government departments directly (such as pensions, benefits and the tax office) to avoid any accidental overpayments. Some Registrars offer a Tell us once service, they will notify some agencies on your behalf, when speaking to the Registrar ask if this service is available. Obtain a number of Certified copies of the Death certificate ( 4 each at the time of registering or 7-10 if requested afterwards) these will be required by banks, insurance companies and other institutions when dealing with the deceased s affairs. Arranging the funeral Decide upon a funeral director this could be based on their reputation, a recommendation from a friend or family member or even their location if they are close to you or where the deceased lived. Check to see if the deceased had a Pre-paid Funeral Plan as this will have much of the funeral arrangements detailed including the financial aspect. Check to see if there is a Will, again this may contain information about specific requests for the funeral. Contact your funeral director to discuss your requirements and arrange an appointment to make the funeral arrangements, this could be at the funeral home or your location of choice. 3

4 Who you need to inform Inform family members, friends and colleagues about the death and funeral details. Notify employer or educational establishments. Update health professionals (hospitals, doctors, dentist, etc.) and cancel any outstanding appointments. Advise agencies providing care or services (such as social services, home carers, meals on wheels, etc.). Financial organisations to be contacted The bank/s, building societies, national savings etc. Insurance companies (life, buildings / contents, medical, car, travel, etc.). Pension providers (government and / or work based). Credit card and store card providers. Investments (shares etc.). Loan companies. Any other financial institutions to prevent the potential for fraud. You should also inform any companies or organisations where there are joint accounts. 4

5 Property and utility companies to notify Mortgage provider. Land Registry if a property or land is held in joint names. Landlord (if living in rented accommodation) which may include the local authority or housing association. Insurance companies (buildings and contents). Utility companies (electricity, oil, gas, water, telephone, etc.). TV (licence, satellite, etc.) and internet companies. Maintenance contracts (alarms, heating, etc.) Government offices to update Pensions Service or Jobcentre Plus to cancel any benefits payable to the deceased or their carer. Inland Revenue to deal with tax and child benefit payment. Local government offices (electoral register, housing benefit, council tax, bus pass, parking permits, library membership, etc.). DVLA if the deceased owned a car or had a driving licence. The Passport Agency. 5

6 Other contacts to consider Arrange a mail redirection if necessary. Register with the Bereavement Register to stop unwanted mail. ( Tell clubs, membership organisations, trade unions, social groups etc. Charities. Magazine subscriptions. Inform the Police if a firearms licence was held. Inform your solicitor, accountant, and any creditors. Dealing with the estate Locate the Will (it may be at the deceased s property or lodged with their solicitor). If there is no Will, decide who will deal with the deceased s estate as they will need to contact the Probate Registry and apply for Letters of Administration. Find out if probate is needed. If it is obtain the Will and inform the executors. Gather any documents relating to financial affairs and property ownership. The executor or administrator will decide how to go about the probate process. Surviving relatives and friends of the deceased may need to make a new Will so obtain legal advice. Free advice and guidance is available as part of our service through the Co-operative Legal Services. 6

7 Benefits and financial help You may be able to claim certain benefits and / or one-off payments depending on your relationship to the deceased, time limits may apply so contact the Jobcentre Plus. Check your current benefits and tax credits. Certain employers, charitable organisations and clubs may be able to offer financial help. There may be additional advice or information available to help you from your funeral arranger. What next? You may wish to consider counselling or support for yourself or your family, ask your family doctor for advice or contact an organisation such as Cruse Bereavement Care. 7

8 Registration of a Death procedure In England and Wales, you normally need to register the death within five days. It's best to go to the registrars office in the area where the person died, otherwise it may take longer to get the documents you need and this could delay the funeral. It will take about half an hour to register the death. You usually need to make an appointment beforehand. You'll find contact details for the registrars office in your local area overleaf. If the person died in a house or hospital, the death can be registered by: a relative someone present at the death an occupant of the house an official from the hospital the person making the arrangements (not the funeral director) Deaths that occurred anywhere else can be registered by: a relative someone present at the death the person who found the deceased the person in charge of the deceased the person making the arrangements (not the funeral director) Most deaths are registered by a relative, the registrar would normally only allow other people to register if there are no relatives available. When registering a death, you'll need to take the following: medical certificate of the cause of death (signed by a doctor) 8

9 And, if available: birth certificate marriage or civil partnership certificate NHS Medical Card Information you will need to tell the registrar: the person s full name at time of death any names previously used, including maiden surname the person s date and place of birth (town and county) their last address their occupation the full name, date of birth and occupation of a surviving spouse or civil partner if they were getting a state pension or any other state benefit/s If a post-mortem is not being held, the registrar will give you: a certificate for burial or cremation (called the 'green form'), giving permission for burial or cremation to take place a certificate of registration of death (form BD8), issued for social security purposes if the person was on a state pension or benefits (read the information on the back, complete and return it, if it applies) You'll be able to buy one or more death certificates at this time (the price varies between local authorities). These will be needed by the executor or administrator when sorting out the deceased's affairs. The Registrar will also give you a booklet called 'What to do after a death' with advice on wills, funerals and financial help. If a post-mortem is needed, the coroner will issue any documents you need as quickly as possible afterwards. 9

10 Contact details for local registrars COVENTRY The Register Office, Cheylesmore Manor House, Manor House Drive, Coventry, CV1 2ND Telephone: Appointments only Monday to Friday 9:20am 4:00pm DAVENTRY The Register Office, Council Offices, Lodge Road, Daventry, NN11 4FP Telephone: Appointments only Monday Friday 9am to 5.00pm HINCKLEY Atkins Building, Lower Bond Street, Hinckley, LE10 1QU Telephone: Appointments only Monday 1:30pm to 4:30pm, Tuesday 9am to 4.30pm, Wednesday 9am to 12.30pm and 1pm to 4:30pm, Thursday Closed, Friday 9am to 12.30pm and 1pm to 4:30pm LEICESTER The Register Office, Town Hall, Town Hall Square, Leicester, LE1 9BG Telephone: Appointments only Monday - Friday 9am to 3:30pm NUNEATON, BEDWORTH, RUGBY, WARWICK AND STRATFORD UPON AVON Please ring for appointment, address and opening times Telephone: CORBY, DAVENTRY, KETTERING, NORTHAMPTON, OUNDLE, TOWCESTER AND WELLINGBOROUGH Please ring for appointment, address and opening times Telephone:

11 Contact details for local Coroners COVENTRY Telephone: LEICESTER Telephone: LOUGHBOROUGH Telephone: NORTHAMPTON Telephone: ext NUNEATON, WARWICK AND LEAMINGTON Telephone: / 9 11

12 We promise We promise to give you individual support, care and reassurance when it matters most. Whether you re arranging a funeral now or are planning for the future we ll do everything we can to help you remember your loved one. We ll guide and support you as much as you need us to, reassuring you that everything is in safe hands. Gillivers, 2c Church Road Barlestone, CV13 0EE High Street Bedworth, CV12 8NF Lower Holyhead Road Coventry, CV1 3AX Ansty Road Coventry, CV2 3EX Kenpas Highway Coventry, CV3 6BP Inc. Asian Funeral Services Foleshill Road Coventry, CV6 5AJ High Street Daventry, NN11 4HT Kings Walk Earl Shilton, LE9 7NL Inc. A J Murray Funeral Directors 48 Lower Bond Street Hinckley, LE10 1QU Warwick Road Kenilworth, CV8 1HH Parade, Leamington Spa, CV32 4DW Park House, Riversley Road Nuneaton, CV11 5QS Bilton Road Rugby, CV22 7AL A Division of the Heart of England Co.operative Society Ltd. A Division of the Heart of England Co.operative Society Ltd. Registered Office: 22 Abbey Street, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV11 5BU Registered Office: 22 Abbey Street, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV11 5BU IP No. 2399R. Vat Reg No IP No. 2399R. Vat Reg No

What to do when someone dies

What to do when someone dies Argo Life & Legacy Ltd. Little Chequers Stone Street Petham Kent CT4 5PW T: 01227 700 702 E: info@argolifeandlegacy.co.uk W: www.argolifeandlegacy.co.uk Contents What this