So many questions!

Flugelhorn

we did the same for a relative, paid about £700 - trying to do it ourselves was going to take ages and it would have cost a fair bit to continue the lease while we did it. Just make sure you take a few special things to remember her by,

Savvy_Sue

I still regard the money we paid the house clearance company as money VERY well spent. It was a huge weight off our minds!

newleaf

I went to the bank today and wound up mum's account. Made an appointment first via their bereavement team. Took death certificate and photo ID for myself. Mum did leave a will, and I am sole executor, but Santander weren't interested in seeing it, as her account only had a small balance. The funds have already been transferred to my own current account.
Her only other asset is a small holding of Premium Bonds, so I am hoping that will be as easy to sort out.

FabApocalypse

While I'm waiting in this odd limbo for the Coroner to do her stuff it's very comforting reading these responses, thank you, all.

I've already been to the dentist about the broken tooth. Weirdly I'd called them on the morning it happened to cancel an appointment for a check-up which I couldn't quite get my head round at the time, then found myself re-booking the same appointment to get the broken tooth looked at!

For the time being, the dentist smoothed off the rough edges where the tooth snapped and then sent me off to the dental lab to have an additional tooth fitted to my partial plate. That's all done now so at least I'm not scaring any horses with my gap. I do so regret losing the tooth but it's not the first and possibly won't be the last. Once the dust has settled the dentist will sort out what best to do about replacing the tooth.

AnotherJoe

newleaf wrote: »

so today I took the decision to hand it over to a house clearance company. For £650 they will clear the lot, and although it's a lot of money, to me, in my current state of mind, it's worth every penny.

Good luck, do make sure though (and apologies if this is obvious) but have a last good look through for anything special / important that you might want or need. It might be easier doing that if you know you are only there for special stuff, perhaps some old photos or trinkets, rather than trying to deal with everything and sort it into different types of stuff.

newleaf

Thanks for replies. I had already taken home 'the special things', before I started trying to clear the flat, with the help of a couple of amazing friends. After 3 days, I realised I just couldn't manage it, either on a practical or an emotional level, and the feeling of relief once I accepted that as a fact, and instructed the clearance company, was unbelievable. Everyone I have since spoken to about this has said they experienced similar feelings when someone close had passed, and consider the expense of using a clearance company to be an essential one.
(I am using Foxtons: http://www.foxtonshouseclearance.co.uk So far, they have been a pleasure to deal with, and nothing seems too much trouble).
Today, I paid the final bills for utility companies and contacted the minister at the church where mum's ashes are to be interred in an existing grave, and although it will be another expense, it seems there will not be any problems in fulfilling mum's final wishes.
Everything is falling into place now.
Fab, I hope it's all plain sailing for you too, once the death certificate is available. I totally understand your feelings about wanting to crack on with things. I'll keep you in my thoughts.

billn

newleaf wrote: »

Her only other asset is a small holding of Premium Bonds, so I am hoping that will be as easy to sort out.

I have just done my mother's premium bonds, you will need a certified copy of the death certificate and a certified copy of the will and the "holder number". Fill in the form that you can download from NS&I.

From sending the forms away to recieving the money into the bank and getting the documents back was just over a week and very staright forward.

Keep going as you are and I'm sure everything will be fine.

I have noticed that the service from the bereavement departments is far better than that of the normal customer service.

Ms_Chocaholic

If you're not in any rush to cash in the premium bonds, you can leave them in for up to a year.

Yorkshireman99

The death certificate IS a certified copy as is the will if it has the embossed stamp. Just remember to order extra copies at the start as they are cheaper.

FabApocalypse

Time has passed and we have some progress.

Finally managed to register mum's death last Thursday and bought some extra certificates. I've spoken to her main bank and they have agreed to release funds to pay for the funeral, which is a huge help.

I've found a lovely funeral director who will take care of all the arrangements. As there is only me, there won't be a service or ceremony on the day of cremation. I'll perhaps do something when I have mum and dad together again.

The original Wills have turned up! I found a note in mum's writing which indicated that she'd asked about the Wills but not followed through or had them sent to her, but it seems she had, bless her, she'd just not done anything with them. I came across them this morning. So that should make some things easier at any rate.

I have started to send off death certificates to those organisations that need them to give me figures in order to start the Grant of Probate application.

Feeling a little bit calmer, now, having had a hectic few days of sorting and travelling. Things are underway, and as others have said, cant be hurried.

Once the paperwork is sorted, THEN I'll think about what the heck to do about the house.