After the funeral: Next steps you need to take

Introduction

Sometimes people can feel a bit lost after a funeral is over. The intense focus on arranging it has passed, but you can be left facing the reality of loss and a daunting list of practical and administrative tasks.

There's no set timeline for coping with grief, but there are practical and legal matters that need to be dealt with at specific times. Our article outlines these next steps so that you know what to do next. Steps include:

dealing with the will and inheritance
telling all the organisations who need to know
finding support for anyone struggling with grief
thinking of ways to remember the person who has died
thinking about your own future wishes

Knowing what to expect and having a structured approach can help you to manage this challenging period.

Practical tasks and admin

Dealing with the finances and property of someone who has died makes up the main part of the next practical steps after a funeral. You don't need to do everything immediately. But an overview of the process can help you pace yourself and plan realistically.

For a complete breakdown of what needs doing before and after the funeral see our checklist.

Probate

Someone’s estate refers to all the money, debts, possessions, and property they left behind. Unless the total value of assets is small, and/or the person only owned property jointly, you will need to apply for probate. After probate is granted, you have legal permission to deal with the estate assets.

Getting probate can take some time so it’s wise to keep a detailed record of all communications, dates, and actions. For complex situations, it is a really good idea to consider getting help from a solicitor or probate specialist.

Notifying organisations

Before the funeral you will usually have registered a death, and told friends and family that someone has died. But there are still many other organisations and companies who need to know. Tell Us Once is a free service offered by the UK Government. It is designed to make it easy to tell multiple government departments and local councils that someone has died. When you register someone’s death, the registrar will either complete the Tell Us Once service with you during the appointment, or give you a unique reference number so you can go away and access the service yourself.

You can read more about which organisations are covered by Tell Us Once, and who you will have to contact separately in our guide to the service.

Managing digital footprint

Social media and other online accounts often remain active unless someone asks for them to be closed. Sometimes there is an option to keep them as a tribute or memorial. You’ll need to decide whether to do this or to remove them entirely.

Deleting accounts: Requires contacting the platform, usually with a copy of the death certificate and proof of your relationship. Deleting an account permanently removes all data, so download anything you wish to keep beforehand, including pictures.

Memorialising accounts: Some social media platforms allow accounts to be memorialised, meaning they remain open for tributes but are made more private, and birthday and other notifications stop. Requirements vary by platform, so check with any accounts the person used.

Email accounts: Consider closing their email account, but make sure you have all the relevant information about financial accounts etc, first. Again, requirements vary depending on what kind of email they used.

Managing property

If someone owned a house, flat or other property it’s important to look after it in the time before probate is granted and when the property is passed on or sold.

Collect mail regularly, or arrange for it to be redirected.
Check security measures – lock windows, doors, garages and sheds, and set the alarm if there is one.
Turn off electrical appliances.
Check the insurance. Some policies aren’t valid if the property is empty for over 30 days. Read the terms and conditions carefully. Sometimes policies specify that the heating system is drained, or that the heating is kept on at a minimum temperature to avoid frozen pipes.
Move any valuable items out of sight.
Visit as regularly as possible. If you’re not local, you could ask a neighbour to keep an eye out for you.

Looking after your wellbeing

Sometimes the work after someone dies can seem overwhelming. It’s important to also look after your well-being and that of other family and friends who are grieving.

Coping with bereavement and emotional strain

Grief affects everyone differently, bringing a range of emotions like sadness, anger, guilt, exhaustion, or even relief. These are all normal responses. All the tasks and admin you need to do when someone close to you dies can add to the stress. Sometimes it can feel even worse as the time passes, and the busyness of the first weeks and months ease off. There’s no fixed timeline for grief, and it can come back stronger than ever after months or even years.

Prioritise self-care: You can’t cope with everything you need to do if you’re not looking after yourself. It’s easier said than done, but try to keep to a routine of eating well and sleeping. Getting some exercise, even if it’s just a short walk or trip out, can really help.

Reach out: Talking is often the most helpful thing you can do. Friends and family are the best place to start. Sometimes people stop asking about your grief as time passes, but that doesn’t have to mean they don’t care. It might be worth reaching out to let them know you’re struggling or need to talk.

Getting extra help: If you or someone in your family is feeling really stuck in their grief, you could think about looking for some professional support. Our article on When and how to get help with grief describes some warning signs to look out for, and where to look for the help you need.

Remembering those you have lost

When someone dies, they are not forgotten. It can be helpful to find ways to continue to remember them, and celebrate their life. There are so many ways to do this, here are just a few:

Visiting their resting place or a favourite location.
Looking over photographs or video.
Lighting a candle in their memory.
Listening to music they liked, or that reminds you of them.
Cooking their favourite meal and sharing it.
Writing a letter or journal entry.
Spending quiet time in reflection or nature.

There’s no one way to remember someone; do what feels natural and right for you.

Sharing memories

Many families find comfort getting together to remember and celebrate the life of the person who has died. These actions can be an important part of the healing process.

Gatherings can be simple or elaborate, formal or relaxed. Depending on the type of funeral you held, you might like to hold an additional memorial or celebration of life at a later date. Sometimes people hold some kind of annual event, or sometimes it might be more spontaneous. You might like to bring memories to share, or take part in activities together.

Coping with anniversaries and reminders

Anniversaries and special dates after someone dies can be really tough. These include:

The anniversary of their death
Special days like Christmas, other religious holidays, wedding anniversaries, birthdays, Mothers and Father’s Day.
Milestones and achievements which you would have liked to share with them.

Often the lead up to the day can feel worse than the day itself. It can help to make a plan for how you will cope. Some people like to mark the day, but others would rather just keep things quiet and deal with it in their own time.

Creating a lasting memorial

Creating a lasting memorial can provide comfort and a place (real or virtual) to remember someone. Here are some suggestions.

Placing a memorial bench or plaque in a public space (with appropriate permission), crematoria gardens, cemeteries, or private gardens.

Planting a memorial tree or garden with their favourite plants. A small amount of ashes can sometimes be mixed with the soil.

Establishing an online memorial space where friends and family can share photos, memories, and tributes, connecting people across distances and generations. These pages can also be used for fundraising or announcing memorial events.

Choosing memorial jewellery that incorporates a small amount of ashes, a fingerprint, or an engraving, can help you to feel close to the person. Memorial tattoos are also increasingly popular, but make sure you have given time to carefully consider something you will be living with permanently.

It’s important to plan for the long-term care of any physical memorials. For example benches may need weather treatment, gardens require seasonal maintenance, and plaques should be checked for wear. Families can take turns managing this, or arrange for professional services to ensure the tribute remains well-maintained.

Planning for your own future

Experiencing loss can prompt you to think a bit more about your own wishes and future plans. It’s not always easy to think about what will happen after you die, but planning in advance can:

protect your wishes both before and after you die
safeguard your family’s future
make future admin much easier and quicker for them to deal with
prevent future misunderstandings and disputes between different parts of your family.

Some of the things you might like to consider include the following.

Getting a funeral plan: People often choose to put a plan in place which both covers the cost of a funeral and outlines your wishes. It can save you worrying about how to cover the costs of a funeral before probate and help them to know that they are carrying out your wishes.

Writing your will: sorting out your will is vital to protect your wishes and provide for any dependents.

Thinking about LPAs: An LPA is a legal document that allows someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you can’t do it yourself. LPAs can be set up to cover financial and health decisions, and you can specify your wishes as part of the process.

Getting some financial advice: A good financial adviser can help you plan for the best way to pass on anything you own to the next generation in the most efficient and effective way.

Putting your affairs in order: Generally being organised can make things very much simpler for those who will be dealing with your estate after you die. Keep clear records of accounts, investments, passwords, and important documents, and tell someone you trust how to access them if they need to.

Making these decisions and plans in advance (and telling someone about them) can make sure those you leave behind know where they stand. It also reduces the risk of potential disputes. Thinking a bit now can help provide peace of mind for you and your family.

Frequently Asked Questions about what happens after a funeral

What should I do after a funeral?

After a funeral, key steps involve managing the estate (including dealing with the will and probate if applicable) and notifying various organisations (government, banks, utilities, social media). You may also want to think about memorials, and how to look after the well-being of you and your family, seeking support if needed.

Who needs to be notified when someone dies?

Legally, the death must be registered first. The executor of the will, or the person acting as administrator of the estate is then responsible for notifying organisations and managing the affairs of the person who died. Key entities to notify include government departments (via Tell Us Once), banks, building societies, insurance companies, credit card providers, pension providers, employers, utility companies, and any clubs or subscription services.

How do I deal with an inheritance?

Whether you've inherited a substantial sum or a smaller amount, it's a good idea to approach your inheritance thoughtfully and strategically, and get some good financial advice where needed.

Trustestate can help

Arranging a funeral is one of the biggest practical steps after someone dies, but there’s a lot more to be done. Applying for probate is often one of the next steps. Getting support with this process can reduce your family’s stress during an already difficult time.

Let Trustestate take the hassle out of probate for a fixed transparent fee. We offer a simple, streamlined service with expert support at every stage. Book a free call with one of our experts to find out more.

Help with probate

Use our Probate and estate administration service and we’ll manage every stage of the process. We’ll take over all the admin, apply to the court for probate, and share out the estate.

Or if the estate is simple, and you have time, you can use our Grant of Probate only service, and we’ll apply for probate using information you provide.

Whichever service you choose, you’ll get dedicated advice every step of the way, and an online platform to keep track of everything.

Help with future planning

It can be difficult to think about what will happen after you die, but planning in advance can protect your wishes and safeguard your family’s future. Let Trustestate help with expertly crafted wills and LPAs tailored to your needs.

A will lets you decide who inherits your assets, while a lasting power of attorney (LPA) lets trusted people make decisions for you if you’re unable to. Together, they provide security and clarity when it matters most.

Find out more about how Trustestate can help.