Even if the funeral service is over, there is still a number of housekeeping chores that require your attention. It’s understandable that you may be in a state of grieving; these tasks will give you a chance at continuing to honour your loved one. It’s also best to take care of these as soon as you can. Find out some of the important matters that need to be addressed after the funeral.
1. The paperwork and documents
Be thorough in collecting and making copies of all of the deceased’s identification or official documents. It’s not only for safekeeping, but it will also make it convenient for you to access them whenever the need arises. Keep them organised in a designated set of file folders.
Here are some of the documents you can consider keeping:
- National Identity Card
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- Driver’s license
- Marriage certificate or divorce papers
- Title deeds to any real estate owned
- The latest income tax return form
- Recent hospitalisation records
- Insurance documents
- Will
- Power of attorney
- A certified copy of the death certificate
Take note that although this list may not be exhaustive, it should give you enough of an idea of what to start with.
2. Notify banks and other financial service providers
Banks and other financial service providers, like mortgage companies or credit card agencies, should be the first on your list to notify about the death. They will be able to take quick action and close all of the related accounts. If there is money in the account, it is granted to the beneficiary named on the account or distributed according to the will.
Similarly, for any outstanding loans, bills and expenses, the executor of the deceased’s estate is required to pay off the liabilities and debts from the estate before they can distribute to the beneficiaries. It will be helpful for you to seek legal assistance to deal with financial matters.
3. Decide what to do with the deceased’s items
This may be one of the hardest parts to deal with after the funeral, especially when you are grieving. The deceased may have already created a will that states their wishes regarding their personal belongings, so you can easily see through their desires. Otherwise, you can have a sit-in with your family members and decide the next best course of action – whether you’ll be keeping the items in storage, donate, discard or turn them into a keepsake.
4. Handle social media accounts
This may not seem as important, but it should be done to reflect the status of the deceased and honour their passing. It can be an unpleasant experience to come across their social media account, particularly during the bereavement period. Many popular social media platforms allow you to either request to delete the account or turn it into a memorialised account.
Conclusion
Dealing with death is a tremendously difficult experience, and having to deal with practical matters can make the situation even more difficult. Hopefully, with this list, you can be better prepared on what to expect after the funeral service, and ask for help from your loved ones when you need support. Doing these tasks also gives you the chance to honour the deceased one last time.
Our team at Casket Fairprice has many years of experience in funeral services and arrangements. Let us handle the final send-off with utmost care and respect, while adhering to religious customs and traditions like Buddhist funerals, for your peace of mind during this difficult time.
