Last month, you likely read about Nicola’s marathon challenge for her 50th year. Nicola is aiming to walk 12 marathons in 12 months and is making incredible progress in aid of Harry’s Rainbow.
This fantastic local charity recently created a rainbow across Milton Keynes to mark Children’s Grief Awareness Week (17-23 November).
This year, National Grief Awareness Week runs from 2 to 8 December. This year’s theme is “Shine a Light”, helping to highlight the support available to those experiencing grief.
Keep reading to discover practical advice for the recently bereaved, including a look at some of the support that is available, and tips on how to manage your financial wellbeing during this difficult time.
There are practical steps that must be taken, but they needn’t be tackled alone
The death of a loved one is painful and emotionally challenging, so you must take time to process your loss. However, some time-sensitive practicalities will need to be attended to. You might find these onerous or be glad to have a definite task to focus on. Either way, remember that you don’t need to tackle these tasks alone.
You’ll need to register the death at the relevant government register office, which generally must be done within five days. The government website can help you find the right office.
Registering the death will produce a death certificate, which you need before you can begin to make funeral arrangements. This is also the time to purchase additional certificates, so try to think about the organisations that will ask for one. Remember, you can buy more at a later date, so don’t put undue pressure on yourself.
If this process feels daunting, reach out to friends and family so that they can support you.
Check for a will and funeral plans, and don’t be afraid to seek additional financial help
Back in the summer, we wrote ‘Dying tidily: 5 ways to put your affairs in order and avoid leaving a messy legacy’, in which you might have read about the need for:
- An up-to-date will
- A clearly outlined funeral plan
- An “In case of Emergency (ICE)” document.
Search for these documents among the paperwork of your loved one so that you can begin to make arrangements. An ICE document, if it exists, should help you to find relevant documents, accounts, and contact details so that you can inform the necessary companies.
The government’s Tell Us Once service could be useful here, so be sure to look into it.
A will might outline any funds put aside specifically for a funeral, so factor these in when making arrangements. Ceremonies can be expensive, and you might already be taking time off work. Check the government’s financial support page for any help you might be entitled to.
Don’t neglect your wellbeing, and remember that support is available
Mourning a loved one is hard, and it’s important to look after yourself as you go through the bereavement process. You can seek emotional support from friends and family, as well as organisations like:
- Mind
- Sue Ryder
- Samaritans
- The Good Grief Trust
- Bereavement Advice Centre.
You’ll also want to maintain your financial wellbeing. This might mean seeking government benefits that you’re entitled to or speaking to your employer about a period of bereavement leave. You’ll also need to be mindful about the financial choices you make.
It might be wise to avoid making any big financial decisions in the immediate aftermath of a bereavement. You might not be thinking clearly, so give yourself a cooling-off period. Sleep on a big decision to confirm whether it still seems like the best option 24 or even 48 hours later.
Shine a light on the help available and remember that you’re never alone
At Jane Smith, we’re proud to support Harry’s Rainbow and raise awareness of the incredible work they do supporting bereaved children in and around Milton Keynes.
Grief Awareness Week – with this year’s theme of “Shine a Light” – is the perfect opportunity to highlight the support that’s available for everyone managing grief and bereavement.
Looking after yourself is vital and at Jane Smith, we can help you to look after your money, too. During an incredibly stressful time, that’s one less thing for you to worry about, and more time to spend processing your loss and celebrating the life of a loved one.
Get in touch
If you’re looking for an independent financial adviser in Milton Keynes or Olney, look no further. At Jane Smith Financial Planning, we’ve been helping clients for 30 years, so contact us at info@janesmithfinancial.com or call 01234 713131 to see what we can do for you.
Please note
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only. Please do not act based on anything you might read in this article. All contents are based on our understanding of HMRC legislation, which is subject to change.
The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate estate planning, tax planning, or will writing.
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