Checklist

1. If the Deceased lived alone, secure any property. Check the locks and remove any valuables. Try to find and confirm Buildings and Contents Insurance.

2. If possible, find any address book and notify close relatives and friends.

3. Collect deceased’s possessions from hospital if necessary.

4. Cancel milk and papers. Notify neighbours and gardener and any other helpers.

5. Empty the fridge and clear perishable food. Empty bins.

6. Look for a Will and/or instructions concerning any bequest of the deceased’s body for research and look for funeral wishes.

7. Register the death - see attached

8. Arrange the funeral

A. Take the Certificate for burial or cremation to the funeral directors who will guide you in all the arrangements for the funeral including Obituary Notices

B. Tell the funeral director of any funeral wishes of which family or friends are aware or contained in the Will -

9. Paying for the Funeral
It is often possible to release funds from a Bank or Building Society Account in the deceased’s name to cover the cost of the funeral.

If the deceased had very little property or money ask the funeral director about state assistance.

10. Assemble details of assets for example

Bank and Building Society Accounts/Passbooks
National Savings Investments
Stocks Shares Unit Trusts PEPs ISA etc
Title Deeds of all property and details of any Management Company where the property is leasehold
National Insurance Number
Birth/Marriage Certificate
State and Occupational Pensions
Bonds and Insurance Policies
Look for money in all the usual and unusual safe places

An Accountant or financial adviser who acted for the deceased will help to establish a complete schedule of the assets and income.

Assemble details of bills and debts
Utilities and Council tax (Councils can put ‘tenants’ in an unoccupied deceased property without permission if property is empty for 6 months or more)
Motor Insurance, Buildings and Contents Insurance
Credit Card and Mortgage
Outstanding invoices for example from helpers

Notify

Doctor, Dentist, Optician
DVLA
TV Licensing
Redirect mail / you will need a form from the Post Office and a death certificate and ID if the person to whom post is redirected
Cancel membership to clubs, societies etc.

This is of course just the beginning –

The administration of an estate entails considerable further work.
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