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WHAT TO DO AFTER A DEATH IN SCOTLAND . . .
practical advice for times of bereavement7th Edition

This document is also available in pdf format (124k)

Most people at some time in their lives find themselves responsible for making the arrangements after the death of a relative or a friend. It is a difficult and worrying time and this booklet tells you some of the things that have to be done. It applies to Scotland only. Benefit Agency leaflet D49S "What to Do After a Death In Scotland: Social Security Supplement" gives extra information on help you can get from Social Security. It is available from a Registrar's office or Social Security office. There is a similar leaflet, D49, which applies to England & Wales and is available from offices there.

Contents

Part I. From The Time Of Death To The Funeral
1. First Things To Be Done
2. Donation Of Organs For Transplants
3. Getting A Medical Certificate
4. The Procurator Fiscal
5. How To Register A Death
6. Planning The Funeral
7. Cremation Or Burial
8. Help With The Funeral
9. Paying For The Funeral
Part II. Possessions, Property And Children
10. Is There A Will?
11. The Executors
12. Small Estates
13. Distribution Of Property And Possessions
14. The Home
15. Debts
Part III. Social Security Help For Those Who Are Left
Part IV. What Else Has To Be Done?
Part V. Useful Addresses

There may be other information or advice that you need:

Personal Advice

You can get practical advice from a funeral director, your family doctor, a solicitor, the Social Work Department of your Local Authority and Citizens Advice Bureaux. If a health visitor or district nurse attended the person who has died, he or she may be able to help; if the death was in hospital, ask the Charge Nurse who may refer you to the hospital chaplain or social worker. You may feel that you need to talk with someone sympathetic who is outside your immediate family or with other people who have been through a similar experience. In addition to ministers of religion there are several organisations which give this kind of support; the addresses of local organisations may be obtainable from the telephone directory or the Citizens Advice Bureau or Age Concern group in your area or, in cases of difficulty, by writing to:

Citizens Advice Scotland, 1st Floor, Spectrum House, 2 Powderhall Road, Edinburgh EH7 4GB, or Age Concern Scotland, 113 Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 3DT.

This leaflet has been prepared by the Scottish Executive Justice Department. Printed copies are available from the Scottish Executive Justice Department, Civil Law Division, Room 2W(R), St Andrews House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG, telephone 0131 244 3581, or from your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

Printed copies are also available from:
The Stationery Office Bookshop,
71 Lothian Road,
Edinburgh EH3 9AZ
Tel: 0870 606 55 66

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