What to do after someone dies can feel overwhelming. Alongside arranging the funeral and taking time to grieve, there can be a surprising number of practical and administrative tasks for families to manage.
It can be difficult to know where to begin.
There are several services available in Australia that can help make some of these tasks easier. We have included three useful resources below that families may wish to explore.
Where to Start After Someone Dies
In the days and weeks following a death, there may be financial, legal and administrative matters that gradually need attention.
It can be helpful to gather important documents such as identification, a will if one exists, superannuation information, insurance policies and relevant financial records. Keeping a simple list of organisations that have been contacted can also make these tasks easier to manage.
Importantly, not everything needs to be completed immediately. When considering what to do after someone dies, families can work through practical matters one step at a time and seek professional advice where needed.
myGov – Planning for the End of Life
The Australian Government’s myGov website provides helpful information about planning for the end of life and some of the important legal, financial and practical matters that may need consideration.
The information covers areas including:
- wills and executors
- superannuation beneficiaries
- powers of attorney
- advance care planning
- organ donation
- palliative care
- funeral planning and pre-paying funeral expenses.
A will can also include wishes relating to funeral arrangements, while superannuation beneficiary nominations can affect how remaining superannuation is dealt with following a person’s death.
Although much of this information is particularly helpful when planning ahead, it can also provide families with a better understanding of some of the documents and arrangements they may need to locate after someone has died.
Visit myGov – Planning for the End of Your Life
AFRM Claims Advocacy – Insurance and Superannuation Claims
Following a death, families may not always be aware that their loved one had insurance that could provide a financial benefit.
Life insurance can sometimes be held separately or included as part of a person’s superannuation fund.
AFRM Claims Advocacy assists people with navigating insurance claims and can help families investigate whether a loved one had life insurance through their superannuation fund.
Their services include helping clients understand insurance policies, assisting with claim paperwork and communicating with insurers or superannuation trustees throughout the claims process.
For a grieving family, having assistance with this process may help reduce some of the administrative burden at an already difficult time.
Australian Death Notification Service
One of the more time-consuming tasks following a death can be notifying the different organisations the person dealt with during their life.
The Australian Death Notification Service is designed to make this process easier.
The service provides families with a central place to notify participating organisations that someone has died, rather than having to contact every organisation individually.
This may help when dealing with organisations such as financial institutions, utilities, telecommunications providers, government services and other participating organisations.
Visit the Australian Death Notification Service
You Don’t Have to Navigate Everything at Once
There is often a great deal to think about following a death, and not everything needs to be dealt with immediately. If you are beginning to plan a funeral, our Funeral Services & Pricing information can also help you understand the options available and what to expect.
At Farrell & O’Neill Funerals, our role extends beyond simply arranging the funeral. We understand that families are often navigating unfamiliar territory, and we are always happy to help explain the next steps and point you towards appropriate services and resources where we can.
Take things one step at a time, ask for help when you need it, and remember that there are organisations available to assist with many of the practical matters that follow a death.