Losing your spouse is one of the most devastating experiences of life; it brings a whirlwind of emotions, and in the midst of grief, it can be difficult to think about the practicalities. To assist you, let’s look at 17 things that you need to do when your spouse dies.
Inform Close Family and Friends
Notifying close family and friends is not only a courtesy but also an important step in receiving support during this difficult time. Sharing the news with loved ones ensures that you’re not facing this loss alone and allows them to offer comfort and assistance so that you can begin the healing process.
Contact a Funeral Home
Contacting a reputable funeral home is essential for making arrangements for your spouse’s funeral, but be wary of profiteering! The Federal Trade Commission advises comparison shopping by checking the general price lists at funeral homes. This ensures that you’re not paying more than necessary and narrows your choices at such a difficult time.
Obtain a Death Certificate
Securing your spouse’s death certificate is crucial for dealing with administrative tasks. The certificate is required for accessing bank accounts, closing accounts, and settling legal matters, so while admin is probably the last thing on your mind, it’s really important!
Review and Update Legal Documents
Reviewing your spouse’s will, trust, and other legal documents helps you understand their wishes and your responsibilities as their spouse. Updating beneficiaries and legal documents ensures that your spouse’s estate is handled according to their wishes; we’re sure you wouldn’t want it any other way!
Contact the Social Security Administration
If your spouse has passed on, it’s essential to notify the Social Security Administration of this, initiating any applicable benefits or survivor benefits you may be entitled to. This step ensures that you receive the support you’re entitled to during this difficult period.
Tell Employer and Insurance Providers
Informing your spouse’s employer and insurance providers is essential for initiating processes such as accessing life insurance benefits or closing health insurance coverage. The sooner you let them know, the less likely you are to encounter complications.
Secure Important Documents
Gathering important documents is an important process to follow when someone dies. AARP recommends collecting marriage certificates, birth certificates, insurance policies, and financial records as a crucial step for managing your spouse’s affairs and settling their estate. It’ll undeniably be stressful, but sadly, it’s non-negotiable.
Assess Your Financial Situation
Assessing your financial situation, including assets, debts, and expenses, is essential for planning your financial future as a surviving spouse. Creating a budget helps you manage immediate expenses and plan for the long term to provide yourself with financial stability.
Contact Creditors
Notifying creditors of your spouse’s passing helps prevent fraudulent activity or unauthorized charges while facilitating the settlement of outstanding debts. You should work with the creditors to settle debts or arrange payment plans to ensure that financial matters are handled responsibly, which will also give you closure.
Access Bank Accounts and Assets
Contacting banks and financial institutions to access your spouse’s accounts and assets means you can manage their finances according to their wishes. This might include transferring ownership or closing accounts; it all depends on how they laid out their finances in their will.
Update Estate Planning Documents
It’s very important to update your own estate planning documents, such as your will, trust, and power of attorney, to reflect your new circumstances as a surviving spouse. It may be difficult to think about your own death while grieving, but doing this will provide you with peace of mind for the future.
Seek Legal and Financial Advice
Seeking guidance from legal and financial professionals can provide invaluable assistance when your spouse has passed away. Professional advice can help you to navigate complex legal and financial matters, to ensure that your spouse’s affairs are handled appropriately. Don’t try to handle it all yourself!
Consider Your Housing Situation
After your spouse passes, you should assess your housing situation and make any necessary adjustments, such as selling your home or downsizing. You may no longer want to live in the home that you shared with your spouse, but either way, considering your preferences helps you plan for your future.
Take Care of Yourself
Prioritize self-care and seek support from friends, family, or a therapist to help you cope with feelings of grief and loss. Take time to process your emotions, as this will help promote healing. VerywellMind reiterates this, reminding us that over time, your grief will subside, and you will build a new life for yourself.
Update Personal Records
It’s important to update your personal records, including your driver’s license, passport, and voter registration, when your partner dies. This will reflect your new marital status as a widow or widower and ensure that your legal documents are up to date, helping to avoid any complications related to your marital status.
Access Social and Community Support
According to the National Institutes of Health, social support enhances mental, physical, and emotional health outcomes, so during grief, it’s worth exploring some local grief support groups or community resources for widows and widowers. These groups can provide a sense of belonging and understanding as you experience this tough time.
Think About Your Future
Last but not least, taking time to reflect on your future goals allows you to envision a meaningful path forward beyond your grief. Take on opportunities for personal growth, as this will allow you to honor your spouse’s memory while embracing new possibilities for your own life. They’ll be looking down at you from above with pride.
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