What to do after the funeral

Documents Notification Financial The Will Coping Grief Health

A difficult time for all concerned

Take some time out!

You have been through a very stressful period and you need some time to rebuild.
Your health is very important so get plenty of exercise like walking daily, eat healthy and consider some supplements to help recharge your immune system.

You will have to notify people, businesses and clubs the deceased was associated with. To help you deal with this print out the form of notification and photo copy, you can then have a mass mailing.

If you are finding it hard to cope get help! Support groups are very helpful and you won't seem so alone.

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Who to notify

There are a number of people and organisations who need to know about a death. This helps finalise the person's affairs and makes sure you get the help you need.
This checklist shows you most of the people you may need to contact. Use the link to bring up a printable page. Just close the browser when finished.

1. Centrelink and Veteran's Affairs if applicable
2. Banks and other financial institutions
3. Employers
4. Home care nursing services, meals on wheels
5. Insurers and superannuation funds
6. Hire purchase companies
7. Australian Taxation Office
8. Telephone companies
9. Medicare (or private health funds)
10. Electoral Office
11. Local Authorities (councils, state authorities)
12. Motor Vehicle Registry
13. Clubs and organisations
14. public services such as libraries
15. Solicitor
16. Public Trustee
17. Landlord
18. Executor of will
19. Doctor
20. Dentist
21. Post Office

Before you start, it may help to look for any records or documents showing contact with any of the organisations on the checklist. You can use these documents to quote important reference numbers such as customer reference number, Medicare number or health fund membership number in your letters.

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Some important documents to look for include:

* Will
* birth and marriage certificates
* property deeds and mortgage papers
* home loan details (latest statement of loan account containing details about finance
for the deceased's property)
* lease (setting out legal entitlements on a rented property)
* taxation records
* insurance policy(e.g. home, contents, car)
* life insurance and superannuation policies
* saving account details (showing where savings are located)
* any documents about pre-paid funeral arrangements or burial plots

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Help with money

Debts
Relatives and friends do not have to pay the debts of the person who died unless the debts are in joint names. Any debts can be paid from the estate or remain unpaid ( commonly referred to as "written off"). You can arrange to speak with your bank manager, or the manager of the bank used by the deceased, if you have any concerns regarding their financial affairs. If you would like help working out a budget or managing your financial matters, you can speak to a financial counsellor. Your local consumer affairs bureau, the Federal Bureau of Consumer Affairs, Centrelink, Citizens' Advice Bureau or Welfare Rights Centre should be able to put you in touch with one.
Financial councellors not only help people who are in trouble, but advise them before the situation becomes difficult. They can also advocate on your behalf with creditors. Centrelink provides a number of payments which can help during this difficult time.

The tables following show the payments available and who qualifies for them.

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Other Help

Sometimes some private health insurance, sickness and accident insurance or life insurance may pay funeral and death payments. For example, a number of private health insurance companies contribute amounts up to around $1500.00 towards the cost of a funeral if the person held a certain level of cover and under certain conditions (which may include your relationship to the person who has died, the length of time he or she had the cover and whether a health condition which contributed to the death had existed before joining.)If you find the person who died had any such insurance, call the insurance company to see if any payment is available.

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The Will

A Will is a legal document which sets out how a person wants their belongings to be distributed after their death. The executor of the Will is responsible for distributing the person's assets, after payment of debts, to the people named in the Will as beneficiaries. For estates valued over approximately $10,000, depending on which State or Territory you live in, a grant of probate may be needed. This process ensures by court order that the Will is the final and valid Will of the person who has died. If there is no Will, the State Trustee, Public Trustee or a solicitor can give you advice on what to do.

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Help with Coping

Adjusting to life after you have lost someone close is never easy. There are many resources available to help you make the necessary adjustments.
Social Workers If you would like to see a social worker, call 13 1021 general enquiries (or 132300 if you are an aged pensioner) from anywhere in Australia for the cost of a local call*.Tell the person who answers that you would like to see a Centrelink social worker. The social work service is free. Social Workers can help with:

* counselling and support
* advice about payments and services
* advice about community services
* organising referrals to other support centre's
* talking about options for the future, such as employment, training or volunteer activities.
If you can't go to your local Centrelink office, social workers may be able to visit you at home. They can also arrange for an interpreter to be present if you need one.
*Calls made from mobile phones are charged at mobile rates

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Grieving

Grieving is a natural part of losing someone close to you, so adjusting to your new circumstances may take a long time. If you would like some help from a grief counsellor,or one of the community organisations specifically established to assist the bereaved. a doctor. Minister of Religion or some Funeral Directors can advise you on this.

Loneliness

It may seem difficult at first to fit into social groups and activities. You may not want people around you. With time, however, the company of others may help you develop new interests. The Citizens' Advice Bureau, your local community centre or a Centrelink social worker can put you in touch with community organisations, like Rotary, Apex, and Senior Citizens, which would value your help as a volunteer.

Health

As mentioned before, taking care of your diet and exercise can help you re-establish a routine. Visits by a community nurse can be arranged if necessary. Many community groups can arrange services to help care for your house or
garden. Not all these services are free, however, and some may be provided only after you have been assessed.

Housing

You might want to stay in your family home. If this is difficult, however, consider all the options carefully before you take any action. Moving too quickly may not be the best solution for you in the longer term. It's a good idea to talk over the alternatives first. Centrelink has Financial Information Service Officers who can give you information about how your choice will affect any payments you receive. You can contact a Financial Information Service by ringing 13 1305, or 132300 if you are an age pensioner. FIS is a free service.

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