Secure your
Loved one's home
It might be the last thing on your mind but if your loved one lived alone it is a good idea to stop by their home and secure it as soon as possible. There are many things that might need your urgent attention.
Check
And
Secure
Turn off water, gas or heat
Things could have been left on or running unintentionally, so make sure to check the whole premises thoroughly and turn off ovens, stoves, heating systems, unnecessary lights and geysers. Also ensure all taps and gas outlets are properly closed.
Remove valuables
An empty home could be an easy target for burglars, so it might be a good idea to remove all valuables from the premises entirely. Valuables may also include valuable documents such as life insurance policies and financial or other secure information. To minimize the risk of disputes later on you may want to consider taking a friend or family member with when going through, and removing, your loved one’s personal belongings.
Do a general check
Clean out any food that will go bad, water plants, and look for anything else that might need regular care.
Lock up
Check and lock the doors, windows, garages, vehicles sheds and outbuildings. You might even consider changing locks as you do not know who has keys and access to the property, if he/she rented contact the landlord to find the best solution. If your loved one was signed up with a security company, inform them that the premises will be vacant and ask them to keep an eye on the property.
Clear mail
Mail piling up can be a clear sign that a home is vacant, so be sure to clear all the mail. If you live nearby, regularly passing by to clear mail might be a good idea otherwise you can arrange with neighbours, the security company or a friend living nearby to help clear mail on a regular basis.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, all come from earth, and to earth all return.
Ashes to ashes,
dust to dust,
all come from earth,
and to earth all return.