my auntie died friday

jokeyjo

my auntie died on friday and im still trying to get my head round it was told thursday she would be home in a couple of days ,she was a paranoid schiztophrenic (sp) now ive been told she has an insurance policy but can find no documents was also told she had a bank account but can find no card the thing is if none of these are right and there is no policy or account how do i go about her funeral my husband and myself are in receipt of benefits has he is unable to work and our one luxury is the internet im really just asking for some information as i cant afford to pay for her funeral as much as i love her ,i have asked her social workers but they are pretty useless they just stood and looked at me any help at all would be great

meritaten

I should think you must have access to her home? you have looked in all the likely places I presume - so now look where a 'paranoid' schizophrenic would have hidden valuables! try the freezer - make sure there is only food in there. if she has open fires but has never lit a fire in that room - check up the chimney. between the mattress and base? or even IN the base. if she liked to read then check every book . Look behind wardrobes and other furniture and behind pictures. in fact do a search similar to the ones police do!
as for the funeral - if you cannot afford to pay for one and cant find any money or insurance to pay it - then do NOT make arrangements with an undertaker or sign any documents relating to funerals. The local council will arrange a basic funeral - but they wont if there is any hint that relatives could pay for it!

I am so sorry hun - its bad enough losing a much loved aunt - but under these circumstances its very very hard. my condolences.

jokeyjo

ive looked in all the places i could think of every cupboard every drawer she has no freezer or other stuff like that ive totally stripped the bed down and nothing no wardrobe or stuff to look through she lived in a 3 bedroomed house but only used the living room no nothing other than the bed hence her having social workers involved ,my closest friend has said to just hand it all over to the social workers to do but the ones she has now are not good

meritaten

checked her old handbags? how about in her clothes?
she may have only USED the living room - but if she had the ability to walk prior to her passing, then you need to search EVERY room! including attic! and outside - dont neglect any outbuildings.

meg72

Since you say you were expecting her home,I am presuming your Auntie died in hospital.

Have your checked with the hospital to see if any paperwork there?,Your Auntie would have been entitled to benefits and these are paid into a bank account, sothere should be an account. There should also be personal property records.

Usually in Hospitals these things are arranged for patients.Check with them as soon as you can.
So so sorry for your loss.

CH27

Do you know her NI number?

You could try ringing the DSS & asking them to help identify which bank her benefits were paid into?
Have you registered the death yet? Registrars are very helpful & may be able to advise you.

Have you checked in books? In handbags? In sofa cushions?

meritaten

if you dont trust the social workers then contact the local council - did she die at home or in hospital hun? because the hospital can do this for you.

jokeyjo

i have her rent card and post office account card also a few pieces of paper with random numbers on but after looking again i do have a reference number for her pension the other problem which i didnt want to bring up is she was befriended by a local druggie who she finally admitted giving money to and im dreading finding out he has her card but i do know that between the 13th of december and the 3rd of january nearly £1000 was withdrawn from her post office account not bad to say she had nothing and couldnt actually get out of the house to withdraw it ,she died in hospital and they gave me her bits she had with her just the 2 cards and bits of paper her clothes once id looked through them were burnt im seeing the bereavement people from hospital on wednesday and can then register the death or so ive been told

anmarj

CH27 wrote: »

Do you know her NI number?

You could try ringing the DSS & asking them to help identify which bank her benefits were paid into?

to the OP, I am sorry for your loss, unfortuntley the DWP will not give out any account details or bank info as to where they were paid to. A suggestion is that she could of had her money paid to a post office accout, you try her local and see if they would know your Aunt?

sorry just seen you post about having the post office card.

anmarj

jokeyjo wrote: »

i have her rent card and post office account card also a few pieces of paper with random numbers on but after looking again i do have a reference number for her pension the other problem which i didnt want to bring up is she was befriended by a local druggie who she finally admitted giving money to and im dreading finding out he has her card but i do know that between the 13th of december and the 3rd of january nearly £1000 was withdrawn from her post office account not bad to say she had nothing and couldnt actually get out of the house to withdraw it ,she died in hospital and they gave me her bits she had with her just the 2 cards and bits of paper her clothes once id looked through them were burnt im seeing the bereavement people from hospital on wednesday and can then register the death or so ive been told

I am not wanting to be alarmist but either he had her card and used her PIN number in the post office, or a second account holder was set - known as a standing agent - they would of had their own card and PIN to the account. Please go to the Post Office on Monday and see if they can get the account frozen until you can get the death registered and the account closed properly, that should prevent any more money going missing.

meece

Sorry for your loss. With regard to the funeral, if you are next of kin and its you who arranges the funeral, if you get benefits you should be able to claim a funeral payment from the DWP. They also have an excellent leaflet "what to do when someone dies" downloadable or available from registry offices. Hope this helps you.