Dealing with the sudden death of a loved one is never easy and everyone approaches the grieving process differently. At this difficult time, it can be almost impossible to think straight yet you are faced with preparing all the formalities that follow a death. There are certain legal and ceremonial aspects which must be dealt with alongside the emotional trauma and both aspects are important. Here are 3 factors you will need to consider when dealing with the loss of a loved one.
- Funeral Arrangements
One of the first things you will face in the event of a sudden death is the need to arrange a funeral. This can be overwhelming when you are overcome by emotion, so it is important to enlist help. Professional funeral parlours have all of the knowledge and expertise to arrange everything for you, so make sure you let them do all the hard work. Ask friends to spread the word to guests so that you don’t have to go through the repeated pain of telling everyone. It may not seem like it at the time, but a funeral is an important opportunity to say goodbye to your loved one and be surrounded by friends and family who can offer you the emotional support you so desperately need.
- Executing their Will
Another formality which will need to be dealt with promptly is the Will. Again, you should seek help in order to do this in the form of an experienced lawyer. If you are unfamiliar with the contents of the Will, it is wise to go over it in detail to ensure you are happy that everything is in order. If there are any aspects which seem suspicious or incongruous with your loved one’s wishes, then you may need to look into challenging it. Some legal challenges have time constraints, which is why it is necessary to deal with this soon after the event. If you are planning on contesting a will lawyers will be able to advise as to whether your grounds are valid and sufficient.
- Don’t Go into Retreat
Talking to friends or family is the best way to ensure that you don’t fall into depression following the loss of a loved one. The are many different ways of dealing with grief, so don’t be concerned if you feel like your reaction is abnormal. Grief is a natural process and it is not a sign of weakness, so don’t be afraid to seek help. If you have children who are also affected by the loss, don’t forget to take the time to help them to process and deal with it too.
Dealing with the loss of a loved one is incredibly challenging, but by enlisting the right help you can reduce the pressure of making legal and formal arrangements. By making use of your support networks, you have the best chance of coping with your loss in a healthy and constructive manner.