There is nothing quite like the grief and pain that comes along with a relative dying. Losing someone who has cared for you and has been a staple of your family life can be a shock and a source of great pain and sadness. Coping with loss is never easy, and if you are struggling, know that you are not alone. But with the passing of a relative, there also comes some essential work to get things squared away. Here are three items that need to be completed when a relative dies to tie up loose ends.
Make Funeral Plans
The first item that needs to be completed when a relative dies is to make funeral plans for them. Having a funeral or some sort of wake and memorial service is a great way to honor your relative’s life and achievements, as well as to grieve together with anyone who cared for your loved one as well. Funeral planning can be a bit stressful and takes some time, so start getting it figured out as soon as you can. And make sure that you do your best to respect your relative’s wishes for the funeral service.
Settle Their Estate
Someone’s “estate” is the collection of all of their worldly belongings and possessions. When they die, their estate will get passed on as was dictated in their will and or trusts. But oftentimes the settling of the estate also involves some maintenance work and selling to ensure everyone gets what they were entitled to. Settling their estate may involve selling property they owned and maintaining it until it sells. Make sure you understand the importance of maintaining the property to keep its value.
Care For Your Mental Health
The final item that needs to be completed when a relative dies is to care for your mental health. It is only natural that the loss of a relative can trigger lots of grief and depression. If you are feeling shaken by the loss, you aren’t doing anything wrong. Make sure that you are giving yourself the time you need to grieve and consider seeing a therapist if you are having trouble coping.
When a relative dies, there is a lot to deal with in the wake. To keep things running smoothly and avoid bigger issues, you have to take care of a few items. If you have done these three things when a relative dies, then you have everything set.
Check out this article on what to keep in mind while planning your estate!
