Are You The Next Of Kin? Death Of A Loved One? What To Do And Which Way Now!

It is a deeply emotional time.  You are the next of kin and you have been given some grave news about the death of a loved one.  Wrapped in grief and disbelief you are confused.  So, which way now?  This is a good question.  How do you untangle the new information from the practicalities?  This article is an extension to Dealing With Death? Arranging the Funeral? Can't Cope? Help Is Here!  Click here to read. This 'Which Way Now’ guide aims to help you through a difficult time.  The practicalities of the death of a loved one can throw up all sorts of problems.  As next of kin, you need to understand the system, practices and procedures surrounding the death of a loved one. It is aimed to give direction to the next of kin.

It all gets confusing - the medical death certificate, death certificate of burial and cremation. We may also be confronted with terms like: county coroners, cause of death and post mortums! All these terms may be difficult to understand and it is the next of kin who is supposed to be in the know!  So which way now? 

Coping with the death of a loved one and making the necessary arrangements is the responsibility of the next of kin.   The most important thing here is support when dealing with this, whether they are family, spouse or children - this is, indeed, a time to lean on others. It all seems to weigh heavy on the person who is sufferring the most - the next of kin. Not only this but the cost of burial and organising a funeral can make mourning difficult.

Dealing with a matter like this is not something that we can deal with heirs and graces. It is a horrible duty that the next of kin has to perform, so forgive me if the tone is somewhat ‘factual’.

Shortly after the death of a loved one a medical death certificate needs to be issued and signed by a Doctor stating the cause of death. Sometimes if the cause is not obvious, then the Coroner may have to be informed. It is normal practice for the Coroner to be called if the death seems unusual – don’t worry about this; it is just to ascertain the cause of death. The body will be taken away for a post mortem.

If the death happens at hospital, this is processed by the hospital concerned, but if this happens at home, then a Doctor will need to informed. Which way now?

As next of kin, you will be issued with a medical certificate so as you can register the death of a loved one concerned. You will need to take the medical death certificate to the Registrar of Deaths, Births and Marriages within 5 days of the death in the UK or within 8 Days in Scotland. It is best to phone to make an appointment for this.

You will need to bring with you the medical death certificate with the cause of the death of a loved one stated on it, the medical card of the deceased and the birth and marriage certificates if you have them. You will need to tell the Registrar the deceased’s address, receipt of welfare benefits and pension details, should they have been in receipt of these.

Once you have completed all the necessary details with the Registrar, the next of kin will receive the death certificate and a certificate of burial or cremation for the funeral director. It is best to have a few copies of the certificate of death from the Registrar for other administration purposes, for example, social security, banking, investments and the will. You will be charged extra for these copies.  Everyone will need to be informed of the death of a loved one.  It might be an idea for the next of kin to organise a newspaper submission in the obitiuaries section.

Which Way Now? A checklist:

• A medical death certificate needs to be issued.

• Phone for an appointment at the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

• Documents needed: Medical certificate, birth and marriage certificates, benefits information and address details (from utility bills, for example).

• Obtain the Certificate of Death and Copies from the Registrar. You will need these for administration proofs.
• Bereavement Section in the Local Newspaper - Funeral Death Notices or Obituaries. You might feel that you need to advertise the death with details of the funeral for attendance.
  

This is a very difficult time to think logically, especially if the next of kin was close to the deceased, but you need to contemplate a few issues as regards to the decease’s wishes.  A death of a loved requires careful consideration.  It is respectful to include certain wishes and desires for the type of funeral requested.

What sort of funeral did the decease want? A cremation, burial or ecological green funeral (see ‘The Natural Death Centre’)? Were there any clues in the Will or was the funeral already arranged during the life of the deceased?

What about the family of the deceased? What sort of funeral would they want? Is there a religious service involved? What size of celebration of the deceased life will be required? Of course, this depends on the level of attendees. Here 'which way now' is dependant on the reading of the will and the views of others. It is from this, the next of kin can make an informed choice.

These questions are all valid and can be sequential in their answers. So which way now for the next of kin? A bigger funeral, for example, means a higher level of organisation – food, times, venues all have to fit in with the ceremony. This could also require outside help and it is always best for the next of kin to delegate as much as possible. Of course there is also the issue of clearing the residence of possessions - this might be tiresome and upsetting after the death of a loved one - whilst taking into consideration certain wishes as outlined in the will, should there be one. Please click hereon what happens if there isn't a last will and testament.  This is very useful information at this time for the next of kin.

Payment for the funeral is the responsibility of the organiser - i.e. the next of kin.  So, which way now? A consideration of cost has to be paramount to any decision that has to be made. Most people leave much of the organisation of the funeral to the Funeral Director; however, a funeral can be arranged by doing it yourself.

The Natural Death Centre is a registered charity that encourage the issues and information surrounding dying and the death of a loved one.  The fundamental focus to this organisation is to enable death issues to be easily spoken about and accessible. They advocate openness in funeral matters and encourage people to make choices outside traditional funeral methods. They further believe that in having reliable sources of information, it will enable people to have an informed choice. If you want to learn more about this organisation - naturaldeath.org.uk/

If you are worried about the cost of the funeral and you are the next of kin, you might be able to get help with the costs associated with a death of a loved one. This is especially the case if the person who died was a war pensioner. If this was the decease’s situation you can contact Veteran’s UK on 0800 169 2277 or the website is veterans-uk.info.

Which way now to funeral expenses?  The Burial Fund mind be able to help you.

Do you receive any of the following?

• Pension Credit

• Income Support

• Housing Benefit

• Council Tax Benefit

• Working Tax Credit (with a disability element)

• Child Tax Credit

If you are in receipt of any of the above, you may qualify for a Funeral Payment from the Social Fund to help pay for the funeral. Provided you make a claim within three months of the funeral help is there for you. The Pension Service, your funeral director and/or your local social security office can help you make an application.

© This work is covered under Creative Commons License

Follow Me On Twitter, Myspace and Facebook!

Just Click Here and follow the links!