Help is always available in your time of need

Almost everyone will have to deal with the pain that comes with bereavement, but there is help out there

COPING with the death of a loved one is undeniably tough. After the shock, you’ll have to deal with sorting out the deceased’s estate, alongside organising a funeral.

As difficult as it seems, there are many people who can help you through this and ensure the process runs as smoothly as possible.

If you need help with the deceased’s estate, then a solicitor can provide the expertise required.

They can provide guidance if the deceased’s will cannot be found, or on how to go about the probate process – which means

Alongside dealing before the cremation. with the deceased’s What is to be done estate, you’ll also need with the ashes may be to look to engage the stipulated in the services of a funeral individual’s will, or director. family members can

A basic funeral is decide how best to likely to include a honour their loved plain, lined coffin, and one. the transportation of If a burial has been the body to the funeral chosen, then that can director’s premises take place in a where the deceased churchyard, a local will be washed and authority cemetery or dressed. a private cemetery.

Funeral directors There is also the can also provide possibility of burials services including on private land, or in a arranging flowers, woodland site. catering arrangements Most cemeteries are for the funeral and owned by local press notices. authorities or private

If the deceased has companies and are chosen to be non-denominational cremated, the chapels although some have are usually on the space dedicated to grounds of the particular religious crematorium. groups.

There is the option If you are looking to permanenK.

for a short ceremony get a t establishing the validity of a will.

You then need to apply to get a “grant of representation” which provides the legal right to access things such as the deceased’s bank account, alongside paying any Inheritance Tax that’s due.

Other financial matters to be dealt with include collecting the estate’s assets – such as the money from the sale of the person’s property – and paying off debts such as utility bills.

The deceased’s estate will then need to be distributed, with any property, money or possessions going to the beneficiaries of the will.