Mum has just passed - confused about utility bills etc while the house is still under her name

BooJewels

I found the same as @p00hsticks - some just took the number and registry office - I think maybe some bodies can check a digital register now - some accepted an uploaded scan and some I sent off originals, which were returned.  I think I bought 10 and the same 2 just went back and forth.  I think the only place I needed one that I don't expect to get back is for the land registry with the impending sale of my parents' home and the conveyancing process.

martin2345uk

Thanks all. Well I will wait till we do the registration this afternoon and then after that the celebrant is coming to discuss the funeral so I don't think I will feel like contacting any agencies today

I will make a start tomorrow

Thank you again x

getmore4less

Mojisola said:

martin2345uk said:

Actually I do have a related question. If all these companies need to see a copy of the death certificate, and it is illegal to copy one, I assume that means it's also illegal to scan it, so does this mean you can ONLY ever show these companies the certificate by physically sending it in the post??

No, it isn't - but most organisations either want to see an official copy of the register or a certified copy of an official one.

then they take a copy for their files and sent it back.

I decided we needed

1 master for the file that stays in the file(in a clear pocket).
1 walkabout copy to take to the places we could walk into.
X extra for sending of by post.(forget what X was but 2-3 would have been plenty)

one of the X copies came back in two pieces( an auto letter opener) they offered to pay for a new one but we had enough and it was not worth my time.

martin2345uk

Thanks again. I registered the death this afternoon. It made it all feel a bit real and I had a little breakdown but I’m ok now. 

Home insurance people rang me and said all that happens is after 30 days the policy goes into unoccupied status meaning certain things are no longer covered. 

p00hsticks

martin2345uk said:

Home insurance people rang me and said all that happens is after 30 days the policy goes into unoccupied status meaning certain things are no longer covered. 

If it's like the one I had to deal with, it meant any 'high value items' - when I asked what this included it was things like jewellery, televisions, electrical goods etc - so worth trying to remove any such items before the unoccupancy clause comes into effect.

(I don't want to panic you but it has been known for thieves to target houses that they know will be empty when a funeral is taking place).

martin2345uk

Thank you, yes that does make sense.

Is there anything I should be doing now, while waiting for the death certificates to come in the post? We are meeting the solicitor on Friday for an initial discussion of the will and what's what.. I would quite like a day off from doing this stuff tomorrow really :-(

Brie

Sorry for your loss - even when it's expected it's still a shock.  

Lots of great advice here so I won't be boring and repeat it!  

But - when you get to the point of the death being registered I suggest you get more than 1 copy of the death certificate.  I got 3 for my FiL to deal with things on behalf of MiL.  Some banks/companies are happy to deal with things strictly on a phone call, others with photocopies of the documents, and others (more likely banks and pension firms) want the actual certificate.  I think the post office still has the 3 docs certified for ££ (it was £7 a few years back).  But some will want the official one and so you want to have one in your hand and a couple spare that can be posted off (registered and to be returned registered) so you don't have to delay dealing with one organisation at a time. 

And you may find this of use...

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/legal-issues/what-to-do-when-someone-dies/
 

Savvy_Sue

martin2345uk said:

Thank you, yes that does make sense.

Is there anything I should be doing now, while waiting for the death certificates to come in the post? We are meeting the solicitor on Friday for an initial discussion of the will and what's what.. I would quite like a day off from doing this stuff tomorrow really :-(

Go right ahead ... it's very important to take care of yourself. There's unlikely to be anything which can't wait a day, a week, a bit longer. 

We introduced the concept of DFT - Doing Fun Things. They might be as simple as going to a favourite coffee spot (and possibly having cake when you wouldn't normally) or having a day out. 

Death certificates - another one who got lots and used just one or two. I found I could take one into a bank, they'd copy it on the spot and give it back to me. But this was pre-covid ... 

KxMx

We got several copies in December after Nan died, and needed to send just 1 away and show 1 in person. 
Otherwise it was digitally uploaded or not needed at all. 
We definitely over bought.

MovingForwards

A lot is down to how many different banks, share companies etc who are involved. There's nothing stopping you recycling them and only dealing with a couple of companies at once, waiting for them to return the certificate and then contact another.

Definitely take time for yourself, even if you do nothing aside from watch TV. There's nothing wrong with that, nor wanting to have a break from it. 

Message a mate and talk about something else as it's easy to forget about yourself.

I've only ordered 3 death certificates, which will be more than enough. My mind went blank a few days ago with what's the next steps to do and I stopped, I'm human. I got food in I can grab and eat, rather than make or quickly cook, which has made this week easier. Now I'm ready to tackle a little more.