Things To Do When Your Spouse Dies

Whether the death was caused suddenly or due to a long-term battle with illness, it’s always a harrowing experience that no one can be emotionally ready for. While there are a lot of things that need to be taken care of, it’s possible that grief can make it very hard to execute the tasks at hand. This also means not to postpone your grief or push into denial until you get everything resolved; it can even make matters worse. It’s okay to have your family and trusted councilors manage the physical side of things, but most of the decisions are going to be yours in the end. To help cope with such grief, making a list of things to be prepared for is always advisable.

Funeral

This is usually one of the hardest things you have to do after a spouse’s death. You’ll need to visit funeral homes and arrange for a funeral. Some tasks can be delegated to your close ones, while others should be your responsibility. You should decide what the spouse wears in case a burial will happen, obtaining documentation, cremation requests, and many other aspects. It’s advisable to get more than one copy of the death certificate so you’d be able to use it with other financial arrangements as well.

Social Security Survivor Benefits

The survivor is eligible to receive social security benefits when their spouse dies. The survivor benefits are usually full or a part of the calculated social security benefits the deceased has been receiving before their death. Not all widows and widowers are eligible for receiving Social Security Survivor benefits, according to Paul Baker Law Office Widow SSD Benefits, which breaks down the different factors of eligibility. The benefits received can range from 71.5% to 100%, depending on the age and disability status of the widow or widower.

Use Professional Help

It’s quite hard to settle your spouse’s estate and other affairs alone. You’ll need an accountant, a lawyer, and an advisor to help you finish this process as fast as possible with no delays. You can use your trusted professionals if you have any, if not, you can ask your friends and family for recommendations to minimize the time it takes to choose them. You’ll need your lawyer to keep an eye on the estate’s status and the steps that should be taken going forward.

Seeking Help

The financial matters are quite important, but sometimes one can be in a very difficult state that they are forced to delay some of the less important decisions. You can always seek help from your friends and family, and if that is not enough, it’s recommended to look for a bereavement counselor to help you get through such a difficult time.

Even though we know that time always moves forward and we can’t stop death, its impact is still quite overwhelming. Always know that grieving is okay, but do the best you can to not succumb to helplessness or give up. There is no standard grief process. Always choose what feels best for you in a healthy manner while avoiding self-destructive actions.