How To Manage Your Loved One’s Affairs After They Die
What To Do After Losing a Loved One
Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences we can face, and managing their affairs afterward can feel like an overwhelming burden. During a time when your heart is heavy with grief, taking care of personal, financial, and legal matters may seem impossible to handle on your own.
It’s important to remember that you don’t have to do this alone. Allow yourself the space and time to process each task one step at a time, rather than feeling the pressure to do everything at once. A Mesa hospice care center understands how hard this time can be and shares thoughtful recommendations to help you navigate managing your loved one’s affairs with care and compassion.
What To Do On The First Few Days
Thinking about your loved one’s affairs after they pass away can be overwhelming, especially in the first days. Practical decisions are necessary at this point, so be sure to focus only on what is truly important.
Notify Friends & Family
This is the first thing you should do once your loved one has passed away. Let them know in the kindest way possible. You can delegate this task to others who are close to your loved one.
If the person was an employer, ask the company they worked for about benefits, final paycheck, etc. If they were a member of a religious group or a Veteran, you should also contact the organization to notify them.
Take Care Of Your Loved One’s Pets
If the person who passed away had pets, take care of them until you can make a permanent plan for their care. If you cannot take care of them, ask a friend or relative. Remember to ask them if they have the time and availability.
If your loved one was staying in a hospice and palliative care center, contact the center to know if your loved one left a pet in the care of a trusted person.
Looking into boarding the pets at a kennel or local vet office is another option if you don’t know anyone who can take care of them.
Prepare Service Arrangements
Check the home carefully to know what your loved one wanted for the funeral. If your loved one notified you before their death, you have one part of the process done.
Your loved one may have left a letter or a card with the information. However, if you cannot find this information, you will have to decide whether you prefer a burial, cremation, or funeral service.
You can delegate part of this process to friends and family. This way, they can also help you with the obituary.
Close Your Loved One’s Property
If they were living alone, make an efficient plan to get rid of perishable food items. Also, check if there are plants that require care.
Valuable items should be locked and well-saved, including vehicles. Make sure that the mail is forwarded to your home too.
If your loved one’s last days were in a hospice and palliative care center, make sure to contact this place to know more about your loved one’s properties (only if necessary).
What To Do The Weeks After a Loved One Passes Away
Once the practical decisions are ready, you will have to plan for the financial, legal, and bureaucratic details.
Get Copies Of Your Loved One’s Death Certificate
Get at least ten certified copies of your loved one’s death certificate to register this death with close bank accounts, the government, and file life insurance. If you are using funeral home services, they can help you get these copies on your behalf.
Remember To Find Your Loved One’s Will
Search your loved one’s home, desk, and other important places if you don’t know where the will was left.
If your loved one didn’t have a will, the county or city probate court will decide the inheritance through intestate succession laws.
Enlist Your Loved One’s Assets
Make sure to include not only their home but also their car, bank accounts, personal property, etc. Check paperwork as well to be sure all assets are accounted for.
Enlist Ongoing Expenses
If your loved one had hospice care, check that there are no more things to pay for these services. Services like internet, phone, and television, can be canceled. Credit cards and health insurance policies should also be terminated.
The executor will make sure the utilities, mortgage, and taxes are taken care of until the estate is determined.
Contact An Accountant
If your loved one used an accountant’s service, then you can contact them, or consider hiring one if you think the financial issues are too difficult for you.
Make a Plan For Social Media Accounts & Email
Decide the best plan for your loved one’s social accounts. Facebook allows to memorialize accounts to keep the profiles up, so you can consider this option.
Assessing Accounts and Beneficiaries
These include life insurance policies, retirement plans, and other financial resources. Take the time to check each account, confirm the named beneficiaries, and see if you’re eligible to receive any benefits.
Some key accounts to review are:
- Life Insurance: Whether it’s a private policy or one provided by an employer or professional organization.
- Employee Benefits: This might include unused vacation pay, sick leave, or other insurance benefits.
- Retirement Accounts: Look into employer-sponsored plans like 401(k)s or pensions, as well as IRAs.
- Social Security: If your loved one was receiving Social Security payments, notify the Social Security Administration to prevent any issues with repayment.
- Veteran Benefits: Similarly, contact the Veterans Administration if your loved one received monthly benefits.
Taking care of these accounts early can help streamline the process and prevent unnecessary complications.
Contact a Hospice & Palliative Care Center In Mesa For Better Help
Americare Hospice and Palliative Care offer top-quality and humane hospice care in Mesa and the surrounding areas. Our well-prepared team treats patients with the best care possible. Besides, we also support the whole family the best way we can.
Contact us today to learn more about our services.
Americare Hospice and Palliative Care
1212 N. Spencer St., Suite #2 Mesa, Arizona 85203
Office: (480) 726-7773
Fax: (480) 726-7790
Email: info@americarehospice.org
