After the funeral

Unfortunately there is administration that needs to take place and certain authorities need to be informed of the death. All this comes at a time when you may least feel like attending to these matters as they stir up memories, often it can all be too much to bare. Below we have listed some of the government organisations that need to be informed. We hope that we can make this daunting task a little more bearable. Please do contact us if you require any advice.

Informing local and national authorities of the death.

You will need to inform:

• The DWP if there is a state pension or any benefits involved.
• The Passport office
• The DVLA for cancellation of a driver’s licence
• The local council to cancel the council tax or apply for single occupancy discount if applicable.
• All of this can be done when registering the death by Cornwall council’s Tell Us Once service. Click here for more information.

You will have to manage the estate of the deceased which involves closing down accounts and transfer or sale of property. Depending on the size of the estate you may be able to administer it yourself or if there are other family members involved, especially where property is concerned, you may need to employ the services of a a solicitor. For more information on probate see How do I manage the estate? on our Frequently asked Questions page.

Redirecting post after a death

You can arrange for the local post office to redirect the post of someone who has died. The post office may insist on having proof that you have got legal authority to do this. It might help if you could provide a death certificate and a written statement saying that you have a right to act on the person’s behalf. You will have to pay a fee for redirection of post.

You can also stop junk mail being sent to someone who has died. To do this, you can register details of the death with The Bereavement Register. Companies who check The Bereavement Register will remove details of the person who has died from mailing lists and marketing databases. However, this will not stop junk mail being sent from companies who do not check with the register. The Bereavement Register is a free service.

Contact details for The Bereavement Register are:

The Bereavement Register
Freepost SEA8240
Sevenoaks
TN13 1YR

Tel: 0870 600 7222
Fax: 0870 400 5644

Website: www.the-bereavement-register.org.uk

You can also use the Mailing Preference Service (MPS) to stop junk mail being sent to someone who has died.

At Ugalde and Son we offer further Support.

Processing the deep pain caused by the loss of a loved one is not easy. Often, it is helpful to seek further support by talking to someone who will genuinely listen, walk by your side, and support you through the bereavement process. At Ugalde and Son, we have been working with Jesse Foot since 2018. As well as holding a Diploma in Bereavement Counselling with distinction, Jesse has a wealth of practical experience working with and supporting people experiencing loss. In addition to counselling, he works as a funeral celebrant and has worked previously as a Registrar, Ceremony Officer and served as a Cornwall Councillor. Jesse is a compassionate, client focussed grief counsellor who is here to help you. Ugalde and Son are happy to offer two one-hour sessions with Jesse, free of charge, to any of our clients who wish to take up the offer. Please get in touch through Ugalde reception to book a chat with Jesse.

If at anytime during or after the whole process you are struggling emotionally and feel that the weight of loss and responsibility is too much we can help you. Sometimes just talking will help, so do not be afraid to pick up the phone. We have also put together some useful links that might be of some help.