Funeral advice required.

wallbash

I will very shortly have to take some action in regard of
A close friend who is in a Hospice. I am not a family member, but I am an an Excutator of the will.
The only other member of the family of my friend , will , to be
Honest, be useless. So I am looking for websites?? Or a simple list
Of things that will have to be done.
I hope no one will think it morbid that I am doing some forward planning.
Yes I have spoken at great lengths with my friend, of her wishes,but it’s the more
practical advice I need.
Step one , is the death certificate , then a trip to the funeral directors,… then??

Jo_F

Let the funeral directors help you, they know what needs doing and will arrange it all for you. You just need to know a rough idea of when the funeral is, if you want the local vicar to do the service etc (they even contact the vicar and tell him to come and see you), and they will also put the notice in the local obits for you.

It sure takes a lot of the strain off.

Hugs for you at this time

wallbash

Let the funeral directors help

Yes , they are the experts! and I know i will be paying( out of the estate)
for their advice. But what else is required THAT the funeral directors dont do?

Many thanks for the very quick reply Jo_F

This 'might' turn out to be a thread, which brings back painful memories to some readers. I will aplogise now if I might seem a bit cold ( or write inappropiate
words) Its practical advice needed.

e.g, is it correct to ask close friends, to choose a small momento from the deceased house to remind them of their friendship???

Do I write/email/ call all names in the address book


What is the easist way of clearing a house?

Do I write to all of the utilites ( when paying the final bills)
Council Tax/water/ elec etc

LilMissEmmylou

wallbash i know when my granny died those that wanted to took something small to remind them of her. I don't know if its a common thing to do, but it most certainly is a nice gesture x

mymatebob

I got a leaflet from my local library - "What do to when a death occurs" ( or a very similar title) - this was some years ago but it helped me a lot

Paul_Herring

mymatebob wrote: »

I got a leaflet from my local library - "What do to when a death occurs" ( or a very similar title)

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/RightsAndResponsibilities/Death/WhatToDoAfterADeath/DG_10029808

wallbash

Yes , many thanks , Paul_Herring, wonderful link

Virago_2

Hi Wallbash - sorry to hear about your friend. You're doing the right thing by preparing ahead, so don't feel you are being morbid. With regard to disposing of your friend's possessions, have you asked what they want to happen? They might want specific items to go to certain people, or may not have any particular preferences in which case you can choose what to do with them. Age Concern will take some pieces of furniture or you could contact a house clearance company, advertise it on freecycle or give it to your local charity shop.

Being executor of the will is a bit more complicated, but there is plenty of help available on this website and on the internet. For a start you could put the word 'probate' into the search engine and you'll see all the threads that have covered this subject, and click this link for a useful publication about what to do following a death.

Hope this helps,

Virago

hardpressed

You will probably find there is someone at the hospice who can give you advise on what has to be done.

Having had to deal with similar situations several times, it's a great help to know what the persons wishes are in relation to the funeral and any small gifts to friends that may not be mentioned in the will.

wallbash

have you asked what they want to happen?

Yes ! my example questions are just that exarmples, managed to get her wishes last weekend. The advantage of 'forward planning'.
If I know the questions, with help ( in this forum :j) or a simple google will find an answer.

ITS the questions !!! that will crop up, when its too late to ask the departed.
Looking at the link provided will give me guidence,

Looking on the bright side, she wants to hang until the next fiancial year
IHT...keeping my fingers crossed for her.

glossgal

I wouldn't worry about dividing possessions at this stage, IMHO this should be done later on, at least until after the funeral.

When your friend passes away, the hospice will direct you to the local registry office where you'll need to make an appt to register the death. You will need a death certificate to send to banks, creditors, possibly utility companies when you inform them of her passing so again this is something for after the funeral I think.

You may need to apply for probate too if there is no solicitor, to do this you take a completed application form to local office and have an 'interview'. There is a national phone number to request the forms, sorry can't think of it at mo!

Sorry for your situation, hopefully a little forward planning now may ease the stress later on