TACKLE THAT ‘DEATH ADMIN’ EARLY

ONE of the most common difficulties in the immediate aftermath of losing a loved one is sorting through the endless reams of so-called ‘death admin’.

The easiest way to tackle it? Do it in advance.

Emma Aldridge, from

Carers UK, says: ‘It’s not always possible, but if you can, prepare wills, power of attorneys and third-party financial agreements before the inevitable. It then leaves space for you to just focus on grieving when the worst does happen.’

Your local branch of the charity Age UK can help, as can online advice services such as moneysavingexpert.com, the goodgrieftrust.org and the NHS website.

For legal aid, contact the Law Society. Citizens Advice can also provide a case worker to work alongside you and tell you about benefits you might be entitled to, such as a widow’s pension.

I’ll always remember the large, lever-arch folder, bursting with papers, on the shelf in my mum’s home office.

The label on the spine read: ‘What Michele Did Next.’

Practical as always, my father had detailed specific instructions for the logistics, meaning she didn’t have to turn to good old Google.

Some people aren’t as lucky.