If you've recently lost your husband or wife, the days and weeks ahead will feel heavy. Some days you won't know where to start. That's normal.
This guide isn't about grief — grief has its own timeline and there's no right way to do it. This is about the practical things that need attention, laid out gently so you can deal with them when you're ready, not all at once.
Take what's useful. Ignore what isn't. Come back when you need to.
The first week
In the immediate days after your partner dies, very little actually has to happen urgently. The most important thing is to let people close to you know, and to be kind to yourself.
The funeral director handles the essentials. If Greenfields is looking after your partner, we manage the death registration, cremation or burial permits, and coordination with the hospital, coroner, or aged care facility. You don't need to do any of that yourself.
Tell close family and friends. You don't need to tell everyone personally. Ask a trusted person — a son or daughter, a sibling, a close friend — to help spread the word. That's not a weakness. It's practical.
You don't need to make major decisions. People may ask about the house, finances, or belongings. There is no rush. Nothing needs to change in the first week except the most basic practicalities.
The first month
Once the funeral has passed, the admin begins. None of it is urgent in a crisis sense, but attending to these things in the first few weeks helps prevent complications later.
Death certificates
You'll receive an initial death certificate as part of the funeral process. You may need several certified copies for banks, insurers, and government agencies. In WA, additional copies can be ordered from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages for $55 each. We can arrange this for you.
Banks and financial institutions
Contact your bank to notify them of your partner's death. Joint accounts are usually frozen temporarily until the bank receives a death certificate. If your partner held accounts in their name alone, access will require probate or letters of administration. Ask the bank what documentation they need.
Centrelink / Services Australia
If either of you receives the Age Pension, notify Centrelink as soon as possible. Your pension will be adjusted to a single rate. There may be a bereavement payment — a lump sum to help during the transition. Centrelink can also advise on any changes to your asset test threshold as a single pensioner.
Superannuation and life insurance
Contact your partner's super fund to enquire about death benefits. If they had life insurance (including through their super), the insurer will need a death certificate and claim forms. These processes take time — start them early.
Medicare, private health, and concession cards
Notify Medicare to update your status. If you had a couples health insurance policy, contact your provider to switch to a single policy. Update any seniors or concession cards.
The first three months
Update your will
Your will almost certainly names your partner as primary beneficiary or executor. It needs updating. This doesn't have to happen immediately, but don't leave it too long. A solicitor can help — or if you need a simple will done affordably, we offer families access to a free simple will through Gathered Here, or a more comprehensive will at a reduced rate through Willed. Just ask us.
Review your Enduring Power of Attorney
If your partner was your appointed attorney, you need to appoint someone else. Without a valid EPA, no one can manage your affairs if you lose capacity.
Update property and utility accounts
Transfer property titles, vehicle registrations, utility accounts, and insurance policies into your name. Some of these require a death certificate. Your solicitor can advise on property transfers.
Review your own finances
Living on a single income or pension is a significant adjustment. If you haven't already, consider speaking with Centrelink's Financial Information Service (free) or a financial adviser to understand your position and options.
In the months that follow
As the immediate admin settles, many people find themselves thinking about their own arrangements. This isn't morbid — it's a natural response to having experienced firsthand what happens when someone dies.
You've just been through the hardest days of organising someone else's farewell. You know how many decisions there are. You know how exhausting it is. And you may find yourself thinking: I don't want my children to go through that. A funeral plan takes care of it — quietly, completely.
Many of the families who prepay with us have recently lost a partner
Not because we ask them to. Because they've seen what's involved and they want to spare their children the same experience. They come back to us — sometimes weeks later, sometimes months — and say, "I'd like to sort mine out too."
There's no right time for this. Some people are ready quickly. Others need a year or more. When the time feels right, we're here to help you put a funeral plan in place — whether that's next month or next decade.
Looking after yourself
The practical tasks can actually be a welcome distraction in the early days. But underneath them, grief is doing its own work. Please don't ignore that.
Accept help. When people say "let me know if you need anything," give them something specific. A meal. A drive to the bank. Company on a hard afternoon. People genuinely want to help — they just don't know how.
There's no timeline for grief. You might feel fine one week and shattered the next. You might feel guilty for laughing. You might feel angry. All of it is normal. None of it means you're doing it wrong.
Talk to someone. Whether it's a friend, a counsellor, a minister, or a support group — talking helps. It won't fix anything, but it makes the weight easier to carry.
Support resources
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 — anxiety, depression and grief support
Griefline: 1300 845 745 — peer support for people experiencing grief
The Salvation Army: Many local corps offer pastoral care and practical support for people experiencing loss
Lifeline: 13 11 14 — crisis support, 24 hours
Your GP: If grief is affecting your daily life, sleep, or health, your doctor can help with referrals and support
Frequently asked questions
How many death certificates do I need?
Most people need 3-5 certified copies. Banks, super funds, insurers, and the land titles office each need to see an original. We can help you order additional copies.
Do I need to get probate?
Not always. If your partner's assets were jointly held (joint bank accounts, property in joint names), they usually pass directly to you. Probate is typically required when assets are held in your partner's name alone. A solicitor can advise based on your specific situation.
Will my pension change?
Yes. You'll move from the couples rate to the single rate, and your asset test threshold will change. Centrelink may also pay a bereavement lump sum. Contact them promptly to ensure a smooth transition.
When should I think about my own funeral plan?
Whenever you're ready — and not before. Some people find comfort in putting a funeral plan in place quickly. Others need months or years. There's no pressure and no timeline. When the time feels right, we're here.
We're here when you're ready
Whether you need help with something practical from your partner's funeral, or you'd like to start thinking about your own arrangements — just call.
Get in Touch or call 1300 69 79 89 any time