Bereavement Guide
Dealing with the death of a loved one and the practical steps you’ll need to take.
In this guide:
It can be difficult to know where to start, and our guide is designed to provide you and your family with a useful source of information to help support you through this incredibly hard time with the least amount of difficulty, based on our personal experiences and professional expertise of dealing with our own families and clients.
Please note that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) does not regulate cash flow planning, estate planning, tax or trust advice.
Provide your details below to receive your free guide.
From this guide:
Dealing with the estate - Gathering all the documents you need
To start the process of dealing with an estate, you need to gather together as many documents relating to the person’s possessions as you can. You need to find items such as:
- Investment portfolio statements
- Bank account details and statements
- Insurance documents
- Car ownership documents
- Property ownership deeds
- Evidence of any debts
Many of these documents may be filed in the personal papers of the deceased. If this is not
the case, it may be worth speaking to their solicitor (if known), an independent financial
adviser (IFA), their bank/s, their insurance companies, the DVLA and for property deeds
specifically, the Land Registry.
When you are contacting each of the organisations about the death, they will ordinarily require a certified copy of the death certificate. These will need to be obtained directly from the registrar. It can be useful to buy a number of copies when you are registering the death, as they are often
cheaper at that time.
Download the full guide to read more.
Related content

A thorough guide to help support you in preparation for your retirement and provide an insight into investment.

It's important to understand the implications of a Defined Benefit pension transfer.

The pension landscape has changed significantly in the last 20 years or so, as the way in which people work has changed.
Our clients speak for us
Meet our expert team
Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Template - People block - list (6.06)
Alex Hatfield
Partner - Chartered Financial Planner, FPFS, MCSI

Alex, Partner and Chartered Financial Planner, helps clients plan for every stage of life, using cash-flow modelling to give clarity and confidence in their financial future.
Steffan Alemanno
Senior Financial Adviser - Chartered Financial Planner, APFS

Helping clients navigate their financial goals, Steffan is a Chartered Financial Planner who supports a wide range of planning needs and prepares them for both today and the future.
Ellie Jarvis
Financial Adviser - Chartered Financial Planner, APFS

Based in Leeds, Ellie is a Chartered Financial Planner guiding clients nationwide through retirement, tax, investment and broader financial planning decisions.