Losing someone can be emotionally devastating. When a family member or someone who’s close to you suddenly dies, your mind is focused on nothing but despair. Hence, business matters are usually pushed to a side during the course of grief and even the weeks after.
However, family members would have to face a lot of bureaucratic responsibilities beyond grieving. These include the handling of bills, dealing with a funeral home, finding bank accounts, and working on the last will and insurance claim (if there is). These are some important things that should be taken care of in a timely manner: immediately, within a few days after, and up to 10 days after death.
Dealing with the responsibility of various actions won’t be easy, especially when you know that this has something to do with a loved one’s death. Hence, these tasks can be divided among family members, beneficiaries, or close friends of the deceased person. Keep a file of this checklist to avoid missing an important action.
Ensure a formal declaration of death.
There are two ways to formally declare a person’s death. If it occurs in the hospital, a doctor or any medical practitioner has to do the honor of death proclamation. On the other hand, if the death occurs at home or outside the hospital, the deceased person shall be transported to an emergency room where he or she will be declared as dead. A legal death proclamation is necessary to move forward through the processing of death certificate and other related registers. Make sure to keep copies of them once released. These records will be used in the processing of financial claims.
Contact a funeral provider.
A funeral provider will give you options on whether to cremate the deceased person’s remains or make a funeral arrangement where loved ones are able to see the late person’s wake. As family members, it’s important to know your rights regarding this matter. Some funeral providers might try to force selling an urn for ashes even though you’re not required to buy it. Well, business is business so you have to keep an eye on transactions like that.
Inform family members, relatives, and friends.
The saddest part is to inform the others about your loss. It won’t be easy but all the loved ones should be alerted as soon as possible. Apart from them, make sure to report the sad event to his or her legal attorney and all the organizations and institutions they’re in whether it’s financial creditors or government. Also, try to reach out to his or her employer and inquire if they are entitled to any company-provided life insurance quote.
Honor the deceased person’s wishes.
Discuss with the deceased person’s lawyer regarding his or her last will and testament. This will help you honor their wishes including the distribution of assets, mortgages, or custody of dependents if he or she had children. Even when the death is anticipated or not, the deceased might have cleared up their last wishes when they were still around. Some wishes include their preferences whether to have a funeral arrangement or cremation or simple things like what songs should be played during the memorial service.
Submit requirements for a life insurance claim.
If you are one of the beneficiaries for a life insurance claim, make sure to submit all the necessary requirements as soon as after the insured person’s death. This is to make sure that the insurer can immediately work on the issuance of claims. There are two necessary requirements to submit: (1) certified copy of the insured person’s death certificate; (2) Death Claimant Statement Form. You can also provide a valid Identification Card (ID), marriage certificate (if you are the deceased person’s husband or wife), or a birth certificate (for minor dependents such as children).
