Safe Guide

SAFE GUIDE

PROVIDING YOU

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Dear Bereaved Family/Friend, Please accept our sincere condolences for your loss at this difficult time. In recent years, there has been a much greater focus on the struggles that people face during bereavement whether it be the challenge of having to deal with administration or emotive trouble and grief.

The governments NHS Loneliness Strategy is designed to show social support to those struggling with loneliness, of which many bereaved people often find themselves.

To find a close bereavement difficult is common and you are not alone. The SAFE guide has been designed to offer additional support that you may find useful, when making adjustments following a death.

Whilst we cannot endorse products or services provided within this booklet, we hope they are helpful.

The Bereavement Support Network.

The following organisations are here to help, providing services that are designed to support you now and in the future. Many of them are provided at no cost to the public.

Most have invaluable information online and all will have a dedicated helpline to help support you.

MIND 0300 123 3393 www.mind.org.uk The Mind info line offers thousands of caller’s confidential help on a range of mental health issues, however big or small the individual may feel that they are. They also provide an online supportive community where users can share their experiences and give support.

The Silver Line 0800 470 8090 www.thesilverline.org.uk The Silver Line is the confidential, free helpline for older people across the UK open every day and night of the year.

Specially trained helpline staff offer information, friendship and advice, link callers to local groups and services, offer regular befriending calls and protect and support those who are suffering abuse and neglect.

The Mix 0808 808 4994 www.themix.org.uk The Mix is here to take on the embarrassing problems, weird questions, and please don’t make me say it out loud thoughts that people under 25 have in order to give them the best support through our digital and phone services.

Often children and adolescents can feel alone following a loss and may be looking for a secure place they can share their thoughts. The Mix is here to help.

AbilityNet 0800 048 7642 www.abilitynet.org.uk AbilityNet supports people of any age, living with any disability or impairment to use technology to achieve their goals at home, at work and in education.

Royal Voluntary Service 0808 196 3646 www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk Older people in particular can find it difficult to settle back into home afterwards, especially if they have no-one nearby to support them. Having someone there to give a word of encouragement, make a cup of tea or check on medication can make all the difference. Support Leaving Hospital volunteers help with the jobs that make recovery a little easier, from preparing a healthy meal to walking the dog, tidying the garden or collecting shopping or prescriptions.

Re-engage www.reengage.org.uk Re-engage exists to support older people who live alone and find it hard to get out in normal times. “Call companions” is a free service for older people who live alone and feel they could do with a friendly phone call every week or two.

WAY UK www.widowedandyoung.org.uk WAY is a UK charity that offers a peer-to-peer support network for anyone who’s lost a partner before their 51st birthday – married or not, with or without children, whatever their sexual orientation.

NETMUMS www.netmums.com Netmums is an inclusive and supportive parenting community, welcoming millions of parents every month to our provide a support network and helping parents feel heard, supported.

Accessing money in the Estate When a loved one dies, sorting out their finances and ensuring their last wishes are complied with can be a complex, lengthy and stressful experience.

As an Executor of a Will your responsibilities include collecting all assets (including property and money due to the estate), paying any debts owed by the deceased, setting any inheritance tax due and distributing the estate proceeds to the beneficiaries once Probate has been granted.

Many Executors will instruct a professional firm to help them with this – the cost coming out of the Estate. However, the real challenge is when there are insufficient liquid assets (e.g. cash) to cover the cost of Inheritance Tax or other estate liabilities including the repair and renovation of a property before it is sold.

Whilst it may be possible to agree with HMRC to pay the Inheritance Tax via instalments, this can be complex, you will need to have sufficient funds to pay the first instalment and it may not be the most cost-effective option. Plus, of course this doesn’t help with any other estate liabilities that may be due.

As a Beneficiary of an estate, you will need to wait until Probate has been granted and the assets sold before you can receive your inheritance. For some, this can take 12 months or longer.

It is worth remembering that Probate cannot be granted until the Inheritance Tax (or at least the first instalment) is paid, yet the assets within the estate can’t be sold to raise the funds to pay the tax until Probate has been granted.

Recent studies have revealed that around 60% of Brits are relying on an inheritance to clear personal debt, pay bills, bolster essential savings or to make that “dream” purchase. Not only can the inevitable delay in receiving an inheritance be incredibly frustrating, but it can also have a significant impact on the personal finances of beneficiaries.

If you are the Executor and/or Beneficiary of an Estate, it can therefore often be sensible to explore options that enable you to access the money in the estate without any delay.

ACCESSING MONEY I N T H E E S TAT E W I T H O U T D E L AY

P R O V I R A LT D I S A S P E C I A L I S T L E N D E R E N A B L I N G : • Executors to access up to 60% of the value of the estate now • Beneficiaries to access up to 60% of their inheritance now Estate Advance – access up to 60% of

Inheritance Advance – access up to 60%

the value of the estate now

of your inheritance now

• Aimed at Executors or Personal Representatives of Estates

• Aimed at Beneficiaries of Estates both pre and post Grant of Probate

• Can be used to pay Inheritance Tax, legal fees, estate liabilities or repair/renovate a property in the estate

• Can be used for any purpose, including clearing personal debt, paying bills or a dream purchase

• Available to testate and intestate estates

• Applications assessed solely on the value of the estate, not personal circumstances or credit rating. No charges over property

• Applications assessed solely on the value of the estate, not personal circumstances or credit rating. No charges over property • Advance is repaid to us when the assets from the estate are realised. No monthly repayments and no early repayment fees • No risk to the borrower. If it turns out the value of the estate is less than expected you will not be required to pay the shortfall should there be one • Arrangement fee of 1.5% of loan amount plus 1.5% per month

• Available to testate and intestate estates

• Advance is repaid to us when the inheritance is available to be distributed. No monthly repayments and no early repayment fees • No risk to the borrower. If it turns out that your inheritance is less than expected you will not be required to pay the shortfall should there be one • Arrangement fee of 1.5% of loan amount plus 1.5% per month

R E P R E S E N TAT I V E E X A M P L E An advance of £50,000 will incur an Arrangement Fee of 1.5% (£750). Interest is calculated on the advance and the fee. Interest accrues daily, based on an annual rate of 18.2% (fixed). Assuming the Estate takes 12 months to liquidate, you would owe £9,220 in interest plus £50,750 in capital and fees, resulting in a total balance owed of £59,970 and a representative 19.9% APR.

To apply or for more information contact us on info@provira.com or call 0203 813 6400 or visit www.provira.com.

Provira Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN No: 946175). Finance is subject to availability and status. Applicants must be 18 or over. Terms and Conditions apply. Provira act as a credit broker, not as a lender, for the introduction to the lender, Funeral Safe Ltd (who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN No: 765110) from whom we may be paid a commission for effecting the introduction. Registered Office: 50 Weymouth Mews, London, United Kingdom, W1G 7EH.

Funeral Finance Losing a loved one is never easy but can be more stressful when the sudden cost of a funeral, especially when combined with the rising cost of living, puts considerable pressure on our disposable income.

Accessing finance created especially for funerals, from a funeral specialist consumer credit company, is a way to make the cost of a funeral more affordable to the bereaved.

How does it work?

Funeral finance is a type of credit agreement that allows you to pay for a funeral in monthly instalments, rather than having to find all the money immediately. Funerals are often unexpected and understandably many people do not have a few thousand pounds lying around.

Why choose funeral finance?

Funeral finance is useful if you do not have the cash available to pay for a funeral there and then. This could be because of delays with probate or life insurance payments, which can take six months to come through. It is also a good alternative to expensive credit cards or depleting your savings.

The benefits of funeral finance?

If you know you can afford the funeral, it means you can arrange finance and not worry about having to find all the money in one go.

For example, you may prefer to pay the funeral on a regular monthly basis rather than pay for it out of savings or using a credit card.

Secondly, funeral credit options are flexible and can be tailored to your personal circumstances.

Can funeral finance be used alongside other funding sources?

There are many ways to access help with funeral costs. Funeral finance just acts as a form of credit which gives you breathing space as you gather money from various sources, such as DWP support, probate, or insurance.

FUNERAL FINANCE Why not pay monthly?

• £500-£7,500 • 12-48 months • 0% deposit • No early repayment fees • No arrangement fees

“Making finance simple so you can concentrate on the important things” FUNERAL SAFE Funeral Safe Limited are the Lender and are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Explanations: Funeral Safe Limited provides finance from £500 - £7,500 from 15.9% APR over terms of 12 – 48 months.

0333 006 2904

To apply call our finance team on or visit www.funeralfunding.co.uk

What to do if there is an empty property Your loved one’s home is likely to be a valuable asset, both emotionally and financially, and you should ensure steps are taken to maintain its security.

The first thing to do is to ensure that all doors, windows, garages, sheds and outbuildings are locked where possible and the keys kept safely out of view. You should also turn off all the electrical appliances at the plug except any lights you may want to consider coming on by a timer system during the evening.

Once you have done that, you can turn your attention to other practicalities. For example, cancel ongoing deliveries such as newspaper, milk or groceries, and arrange a postal redirection.

It is advisable to speak with neighbours and ensure they have an emergency contact number for you.

Many insurance policies include clauses which invalidate the policy if the property is unoccupied for more than 30 days so you should contact the insurance company and ask for a copy of the policy. It may be necessary to cancel the existing policy and arrange a policy specifically tailored to the circumstances.

Do not underestimate this risk. If an escape of water occurs at the property and the insurance policy is invalid, you may be personally liable to make good the loss.

If the heating is turned off during the winter months, it’s possible that the water can freeze and potentially pipes will break. To prevent an escape of water you can drain down the heating system or review the settings to ensure a little heat comes on each day which will keep the house in a better condition should prospective buyers want to look at the house.

A professional valuation may be required for probate purposes and the agent should be able to give you a market appraisal should you wish to sell the property. Above all you should ensure there are regular visits to the property to ensure its safety and security during this difficult time.

Living alone Bereavement may leave somebody living on their own and this can undoubtedly have an effect on them, especially if the death was sudden, and so this will result in a huge adjustment. They may have spent most of their lives together and shared responsibilities, and now they may have to take on new tasks and develop new routines at the same time as coping with their loss.

Often the most important thing is to simply provide company.

They may be feeling incredibly lonely, and they may simply want someone to listen to them, to hear their thoughts and feelings, to express their emotions and come to terms with their loss. Of course, they may prefer not to talk about it, but make sure they know you are there for them. If you live away then attempt to set up a small network of friends who can maintain regular contact.

One of the biggest changes in their life could be that they need to take on tasks that their partner previously did. Helping them to stay organised and on top of things can therefore be very important.

Write a list of the things they need to do such as bills to pay, chores to carry out and appointments to make. Help them to create a schedule, and then provide them with assistance, especially in the early days of being alone where even simple tasks may be difficult.

Care workers do not always provide live-in care but it can be helpful to have a company call for a few hours each day to help with certain tasks. You do not have to be ill or infirm to use the services of a care worker, and you may simply want to arrange some extra help and companionship for them for a few months following the death of a loved one, so consider this as an option.

This can be useful to help with preparing meals, personal hygiene, collecting prescriptions, exercising pets amongst many others.

Exceptional home care visits from exceptional carers Most people in need of care would prefer to stay in their own home. Our home care visiting service is carefully tailored to suit your loved one’s needs, can help them retain their independence and stay connected to friends, relatives and pets.      

Companion & Social Care Personal Care Dementia & Alzheimer’s Care Post-Hospital Stay Care Palliative End of Life Care

To find out more about how we can help, call us on

01253 766639.

How a bereavement effects people is individual, so people will grieve uniquely. Feedback from other bereaved families has highlighted that adapting following a loss can be complex and often the simplest of roles that a partner or friend may have been responsible for in their relationship, is now theirs and this can be daunting.

In the following section of the SAFE guide, we have included services from the region who are here to help you.

Some services are provided for free and others may incur a fee. All of them are here to give guidance and support with all initial advice given at no cost to you.

Published by RNS Publications © Tel: 01253 832400