Fiduciary Services

Trisca Hattingh
Head – Fiduciary Services 

Your spouse has died at home… Now what?

The old cliché about taxes and death comes to mind… Death is a certainty, and however unwanted and unexpected it might be, there are steps which can, and should, be planned for.

Someone dying at your residence is always an emotional affair, whether they were suffering from a longstanding illness, or if the death was sudden. No one is ever fully prepared for a death at home. Through the grieving, you will be required to bear additional duties such as plan their funeral and see that their testamentary wishes are followed.

Questions which immediately spring to mind include: What do I do? Who do I call? What about guests and children in my house? Where do I get help?

The collective experiences of some of the funeral companies which have serviced our clients over the years, together with those of our own staff, provides some guidance in this regard.

Unless a person passes away under circumstances that may be construed as questionable, it is acceptable to move the body. However, wherever possible, it is our recommendation that the deceased be left as is, until a medical examiner has been in attendance. This should be your first call.

A medical examiner would ordinarily be a paramedic (i.e., ER24, Netcare 911, or Hatzolah), the family doctor, or the sister on duty in a retirement village. You should, in any case, have your emergency numbers to hand, which should include the paramedics, your family doctor, the plumber, and your local security company. Should this medical examiner suspect that the person died of unnatural causes, the police will be called to the scene.

Aside from an unnatural death, it is OK to cover the body. Again, this would be best attended to by a medical person. There is no need for you to ask family or the domestic worker to leave the house, though they should avoid the area around the body. At this time you should ensure that jewelry is removed.

Once the paramedics have been called, you may want to then contact a funeral company. which will need clear directions and an address. The medical practitioner will give you, or the funeral company a medical death notice document (Declaration of Death). It is important to remember that this document is not a Death Certificate, which will be forthcoming from the funeral company.

The funeral company, once furnished with the Declaration of Death, will move the body from the home and transport it to their facilities. They will ask for details such as the deceased’s ID document and whether to plan for a burial or cremation. In the event of a cremation being planned, they will want to know details of implants such as a pacemaker, which needs to be removed before a cremation is undertaken. Do remember to keep the contact details of the funeral company, with which you will will be liaising with in the forthcoming days.

Details of any funeral policies or plans should be given to the staff of the funeral company, who may also assist in sourcing and completing funeral fund claim forms.

The next step would be to let family and close friends know of the death of the family member. Contact should also be made with your religious minister at this time. This will be a stressful and time-consuming activity. Looking through both your spouse’s and your own contact lists (hopefully on cellphones, though perhaps also in a hardcopy index book) should give you most relevant contact numbers quickly. Consider sending out a collective SMS or WhatsApp, rather than phoning each person. This is concise, quick and reaches the largest number of people in the shortest period.

Having family support at this time is important. Do allow time for priority phone calls and let family members assist in taking calls and returning messages.

Traditionally, a death is announced in the newspapers, though this practice has changed significantly over the years. The funeral director is responsible for obtaining the official Death Certificate.

This document is required to begin the official administration of the deceased’s estate.

If the deceased wanted their remains to be donated to science – this is usually in their Will – you should bring this to the attention of the funeral company.

Death, and the way that this is commemorated varies significantly amongst cultures and religions. Taking cognisance of the cultural requirements, do remember that burying someone can be a very expensive exercise.
Also remember that

there are many commercial businesses centered around burials. As with any business, there are persuasive salesmen. It is a difficult time for you to be financially rational. Do see that you have family and friends around you who can assist and advise you in this regard.

You can show respect and love for the deceased in many ways, such as a lovely eulogy or the way in which the funeral or memorial service is conducted. Do not be intimidated or confused as regards planning the funeral or cremation and the ceremony, the costs of which can vary significantly. Love and respect are not necessarily measured in financial terms.

A low-cost estimate for a cremation would be of the order of approximately R10 000 and a simple burial in a plain wooden coffin, somewhat more. Tombstones and ornate coffins can be very expensive, heading towards R100 000 or more. Of course, any ceremony together with the catering, décor and seating must be factored into the budget.

Be sure to ask about all costs involved in the funeral company’s quote, as well as clarity on the content of the documents you are signing. Ensure that you are familiar with any additional costs such as storage and/or transportation of the body. It is important that you select a reputable funeral company which perhaps include services such as meeting you at your place of choice for signing documentation, collection of same, and delivery of ashes.

After the ceremony, in addition to the grieving process, there is still much work to be done. Bank accounts must be closed, pets rehomed, and final bills settled. When someone you love dies, the job of handling those personal and legal details, is likely to fall on you. This stressful, bureaucratic task can take a year or more to complete, all while you are grieving the loss.

The volume of paperwork can take you by surprise. It’s a big responsibility with a lot of details to take care of. GTC’s Fiduciary team is on hand to assist and guide you through this trying time. In addition to appointing an executor, you should be consulting with your professional financial advisor who is familiar with your and the deceased’s financial affairs. They will guide and assist next-of-kin in respect of funeral and life policies, engaging with the executor, and providing guidance on inheritances.

GTC’s team of experienced wealth managers can assist you with all these requirements.
For more information on your estate planning, Will drafting and storing, and to consolidate your personal information, contact Trisca Hattingh on Tel: 083 415 7847 or Email: thattingh@gtc.co.za