In 2018 2,839,205 people in the United States passed away. In 2020, there were 87,000 more deaths during March and April than experts had projected. Due in part to the novel coronavirus, many people may find themselves coping with the loss of a close friend or family member.

Although the loss of a loved one is something that everyone must deal with eventually, few people are fully prepared for what comes next. Following these steps will help you navigate the grieving process and handle the essential practical details.

1. Legal Arrangements and Notifications

You will require a death certificate in order to handle many of the legal items that need to be addressed after a loved one passes away. First, you will need a legal pronouncement of death. A hospice nurse or doctor can provide the death pronouncement.

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Once you have the pronouncement, you can ask the funeral home staff to acquire the death certificate or, if you prefer, you can also go to the office of vital records yourself. People who may need the death certificate include the executor of your loved one’s will, bank officials, and government agencies.

Notify other family members and close friends directly. Once all those closest to the deceased have been notified, you can prepare an obituary to be published in a newspaper or on the funeral home’s website.

2. Handle Practical Details

When someone passes away in a hospital there are often personal belongings to pick up. This may include their smartphone, purse, wallet, keys, and clothing. Check on their home to see if any items need your immediate attention. There may be plants that need to be watered or pets that need to be attended to.

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3. Financial Arrangements

The process of transferring property can be lengthy and involved. If you are named as a beneficiary in your loved one’s estate, you may want to apply for probate loans California. Companies such as HCS Equity specialize in providing heirs with these loans. Also known as inheritance loans, probate loans allow heirs to borrow against the property value before it is transferred into their name. These loans can enable you to pay property taxes and maintenance costs while you’re settling the estate. You will also need to make arrangements to receive your loved one’s life insurance policy after their death. Many choose to find a lawyer to help navigate the process.

4. Funeral Preparations

Your loved one may have already prepaid for a funeral or purchased a plot where they want to be buried. If you haven’t spoken to them about this before their passing, check their desk or safe for essential papers to see if they’ve left instructions. If your loved one had a lawyer, the lawyer might also have information about their final wishes.

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If the deceased did not leave final wishes or make any preparations it will be up to you to decide if you want to hold a funeral, what the service will include, whether it will be open to the public or reserved for close friends and family, and whether your loved one will be buried or cremated. It’s a good idea to consult other family members when making these decisions.

You’ll need appropriate clothing for your loved one’s funeral, for a viewing, and for any practical meetings you may have regarding the estate. Turn to established vendors with quality products, such as White House Black Market to purchase petite women’s clothing for these events. Wearing quality, suitable clothing for these situations and meetings is both respectful and ensures that those in charge of your loved one’s estate will take you seriously throughout this trying process.

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5. Look After Your Needs

It’s possible to lose sight of your own needs while making arrangements and looking after your loved one’s estate. While it’s important to look after the practical details in the wake of a person’s death, try to find time for your own emotional and physical needs as well. Make sure not to use the practical steps as a way toto avoid dealing with grief. See a counselor or join a support group where you can talk to others who are coping with loss. Visit with other family members who are also grieving. Looking after your emotional well-being is an essential part of processing your grief after your loss.