Life after loss

Practical steps to take following a death

Losing someone you love can turn your world upside down, leaving you searching for ways to cope and move forward. This page offers compassionate guidance and practical resources to help you navigate life after loss.

The first steps

Register the death – Register within five days (England/Wales) or eight days (Scotland). Contact your local register office to book an appointment. They will inform you about required documents.
Locate the will – Search at home, with their solicitor, bank, or on the National Will Register.
Notify relevant organisations – Use the Tell Us Once service to inform government departments, including HMRC, DWP, and the local council. You will need the death certificate, National Insurance number, driving license, and passport. Inform financial institutions like banks, pensions, and insurance companies to stop payments or subscriptions and assess their accounts.

Small bouquet of blue forget-me-not flowers with old book on the wooden background.

Arranging a funeral

There can be a lot to think about when planning a funeral for a loved one. CISWO provides tailored support for former mineworkers and their families during times of bereavement. Click here to read more detailed guide on arranging a funeral.

Arranging a funeral

Understanding an estate following death

When a person dies it is important to understand their estate. If a will is in place this should outline their wishes and also state who is the executor, or person, responsible for managing it in the event of their death. If there is no will, the estate will follow intestacy rules, legal guidelines that determine inheritance.

Key steps to manage the estate

If you are responsible for managing an estate when someone dies, the following steps are a starting point for this process:

List all assets (e.g., property, bank accounts, pensions) and debts (e.g., loans, credit cards). Include joint assets. Consider any gifts made in the last seven years, which may affect inheritance tax.
Inheritance Tax – Determine if inheritance tax is due (e.g., estates over £325,000 for singles or £650,000 for widowed individuals).
Check if a Grant of Probate is required (if there is a will) or Letters of Administration (if there isn’t one).
Our partner Octopus Legacy provide a helpful guide to estate administration after death:

Octopus Legacy

Financial support

Following the death of a loved one, CISWO’s personal welfare team can help assess your financial position, guide you in claiming benefits you may be eligible for, pensions, industry specific compensation, and provide additional support.

Our team can support you with

Notifying the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme (MPS) or British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS) if the deceased was a member.
Seeking industry-specific compensation – There are some industry related health conditions, such as pneumoconiosis, where you may be able to claim compensation if the condition contributed to your loved one’s death.
Assistance with funeral costs for those on a low income.
Applying for any benefits that you may be eligible for.

Further help and support

If you or someone you know is in need of help with end of life support, estate planning, support through bereavement, or to access any of our services, contact our personal welfare team today.