The First Steps To Follow When A Loved One Dies

When a loved one passes, it can be hard knowing what to do next. There is a lot to think about as you go from the period of grieving to planning the funeral or memorial service. Here are some of the most important things to do after your loved one has died:

Secure Their Property

One thing people often forget to do shortly after a loved one dies is securing their property. If they lived alone, it is important that their property and all personal belongings are kept safe. They could potentially become a target to a dishonest individual, and that is the last thing you want to deal with at a difficult time.

Check in on their home and check in on any pets they had, finding a temporary home for them. Water their plants, wash the dishes and pick up trash, and collect their mail and newspapers.

Move their vehicle to a safe place if it is on the street and in the way of a street sweeper or garbage man. If the home will be vacant for a while, it is a good idea to shut off their water and electricity for the time being. Before you leave, lock all doors and windows.

Store Their Items

If you need to vacate the deceased's home, such as due to renting an apartment or staying in a short-term location, store their items in a self-storage unit temporarily. This is the best option because you can keep all of their belongings together. Choose the largest size self-storage unit and get one that has climate control. This will allow all of their clothing, furniture, and personal effects to stay protected. Once you read the will and decide how to distribute their belongings, you can start pulling things from the storage unit.

Notify Important People

Make sure you contact all of the most important people when a loved one dies. Start with close relatives, such as siblings, parents, and children. After that, the deceased's employer and landlord need to know that they have passed. Also contact their lawyer, as the lawyer might be able to provide information about a will or estate planning that they completed.

This can give you more insight about what to do with their belongings, what type of funeral they wanted, and if they have planned or paid for any of their funeral arrangements yet.

Start Funeral Planning

The amount of time you wait before planning the funeral is up to you, but if you have family that live out-of-town, the sooner the better. Start talking to close family and friends to make a mutual decision about their funeral if they didn't leave their wishes in the will. This can help you decide collectively if they should be buried or cremated, where the service should be held, and if you should have a wake and visitation.

To learn more, contact a company like Stevens Creek Storage with any questions you have.

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