(ThySistas.com) Those first few days after the death of a loved one are tough. There are so many things that you need to sort out but you probably won’t feel like you’re up to it. Everything can quickly pile up on you and you might be left wondering what you should do. But the whole process will be a lot easier if you take the right steps in that first couple of days and weeks. These are the 4 things you need to in the aftermath of a death in the family.
Grieve
While there are a lot of important things that you need to sort out, you mustn’t let that stop you from grieving properly. It’s vital that you take the time to come to terms with the loss of a loved one properly and give yourself time to deal with your emotions, rather than just pushing them aside and ignoring them. Make sure that you’re dealing with the rest of the things on this list as well, but allow yourself the time and space to grieve.
Seek Legal Advice
Dealing with lawyers is the last thing you want to be doing right now but you need to. There is a will to deal with and it’s important that you carry out the wishes of your loved one so you need to get in touch with a lawyer that can help you sort out the legal aspects of that. Trying to handle it all on your own without professional help is just going to pile unnecessary stress on you. There may be other legal considerations, especially if that person was killed in an accident. You may even need to contact a wrongful death attorney if you feel that their employer did not take the right steps to protect them. Getting involved in a legal battle doesn’t seem like the right thing to do but you may find yourself in financial trouble if you lose your partner and the settlement can be a huge help. It’s also worth remembering that the longer you leave it, the more chance there is that their employer can get rid of any evidence that might help your case.
Start Funeral Arrangements
Planning a funeral is always a big job but it can’t be avoided. You don’t need to start right away but you also can’t leave it too long. If you’re rushing around trying to make all of the preparations last minute then you’ll feel a lot worse. It’s important for your own closure that you give them a good send off and planning properly is the best way to do that. Always make sure that you’re checking the will to make sure that you’re honouring their wishes.
Change The Name On Bills
If you lose your partner you need to think of the financial implications. If there are bills that are coming out of their bank account, you need to contact the bank and switch them over to your name as soon as possible. The companies that are trying to take the bills won’t always be sympathetic to your situation and you might find yourself in financial trouble if you miss any bills.
When you’ve just lost a loved one these things probably seem completely irrelevant to you but you need to deal with them, otherwise, the whole situation will be a lot harder.
Staff Writer; Annette Brown