After Someone Dies
When someone dies, there is suddenly a lot to do.
And unfortunately, it all arrives at a time when you may feel least equipped to deal with it.
There are people to tell. Decisions to make. Forms to complete. A funeral to think about. Accounts to close. Possessions to deal with. And quite often, a lot of questions about what needs to happen, when and who is actually responsible for doing it.
I offer calm, practical support to help you make sense of what happens after someone dies.
You don't have to figure it all out at once.
A little help with the practical stuff
Death comes with a surprising amount of admin - sometimes rather aptly called "sadmin."
If you're feeling overwhelmed by what needs doing, I can help you work through it, understand your priorities and create a manageable plan.
Depending on what you need, we might look at things such as:
- What needs to happen in the first few days and weeks
- Registering the death and understanding the paperwork
- Using the Tell Us Once service
- Understanding the roles of executors and administrators
- What happens if there is or isn't a will
- Contacting banks, pensions, utilities and other organisations
- Social media accounts and someone's digital life
- Funeral-related practicalities
- Sorting belongings and personal possessions
- Understanding what can wait
- Identifying when you need specialist legal, financial or other professional advice
I'm not a solicitor, probate specialist or financial adviser, so I won't give you advice that belongs with one. What I can do is help you understand the landscape, work out your next steps and point you towards the right specialist support when you need it.
1:1 Death Admin Support
Sometimes you don't need another leaflet or online checklist.
You need another human being to sit beside you and help you work out where to begin.
My 1:1 sessions give you dedicated time to talk through what's happening, what you've already done, what you're worried about and what still needs attention.
Together, we'll turn what can feel like one enormous, overwhelming list into something clearer and more manageable.
Arranging the funeral
You don't have to use a traditional funeral format and you have more choice than you might realise.
If you're beginning to think about the funeral itself, I can help you understand the possibilities and create something that genuinely reflects the person who has died.
From where the funeral takes place and who leads it, to music, readings, rituals, family involvement and all those small personal details that make a goodbye feel like them.
If you'd like me to create and lead the ceremony, you can find out more about my celebrant services here.
Not sure what you're supposed to be doing?
That's completely understandable.
I've created a growing collection of straightforward answers to some of the questions people find themselves asking after someone dies including questions about funerals, probate, wills, paying for a funeral, bank accounts, paperwork and what happens next.
You don't have to do everything today.
Some things after a death are time-sensitive.
A surprising amount isn't.
Part of my role is helping you separate the two.
Whether you need help making sense of the practicalities, thinking through the funeral, or simply working out what your next step should be, we can start wherever you are.