There's nothing you need to do right now.
Most families focus on arranging the funeral first. Dealing with the person's estate often comes later — sometimes weeks or months afterwards. Many people don't realise this at the time, and that's completely normal.
This page explains what usually happens next, in plain English, so you know what to expect when you're ready.
The usual order of things
Most families find things happen in roughly this order:
- Register the death
- Arrange the funeral
- Deal with the person's estate
You may already be partway through this. There's no right or wrong pace.
What does "dealing with the estate" mean?
In simple terms, this usually involves:
- Collecting information about money, accounts, and property
- Handling paperwork requested by banks or other organisations
- Making sure everything goes to the right people
For some families this is straightforward. For others, it can feel unclear or hard to move forward — especially if property or multiple accounts are involved.
This often comes up when:
- A bank asks for paperwork before releasing funds
- Property is owned or needs to be sold
- There's uncertainty about a will or beneficiaries
These moments are very common, and they don't mean you've missed anything.
What people usually gather (when the time comes)
You don't need to do this now. When families do start dealing with the estate, they usually begin by gathering:
- The death certificate
- The will, if there is one
- A list of bank accounts, savings, and investments
- Details of any property owned
- Information about debts or regular bills
It's very common not to have all of this straight away. Most people build it up gradually.
What people usually do next
Families tend to take one of three approaches:
- Leave it until later, once the funeral is over and things feel calmer
- Handle it themselves, gathering information and completing forms
- Ask for help, so nothing important gets missed
Many people move between these options over time.