As an adult, we all have to face the fact that, at some point, our parents will die. Most of us are likely unless we’re unlucky and fall prey to an accident, to outlive our mothers and fathers, so we need to prepare to deal with the situation.
For only children, it can be incredibly difficult to manage both your grief and your late parent’s affairs. It’ll all fall to you, as you don’t have any siblings to ask for help.
Thankfully, there are simple ways to be organized and ensure that you manage your mental well-being during this trying time. Keep reading, and we’ll explore the simple ways you can cope with the death of a parent in adulthood.
Talk To The Relevant People
Once you’ve heard about the death, you need to work out who you need to tell. If you have a parent left, discuss with them who they want to tell, and agree to help with the rest. If you’ve no direct family left, then you might need to take on the bulk of the calls. Most people prefer to be notified about someone’s death in person or by phone rather than over social media or email. Telling others about your parent’s death will probably be an emotional experience, so take the time to relax and ask for support from your partner if you need it.
Work With An Experienced Funeral Home
Planning the perfect send-off for your parent is never easy, but it can be made more straightforward if you have the right funeral home to work with. Whether you’re planning a formal occasion or a relaxed celebration of life service, an experienced funeral services provider like Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory can help. They can assist with every aspect of the planning and preparation, so you can relax and prepare yourself to say goodbye to your parent in the company of the people you love the most.
Get The Probate Process Started
As morbid as it might sound, you need to be proactive when it comes to dealing with your late parent’s estate- that’s their money, debts and assets. It’s easy to think only rich people with a lot of money and properties need to worry about probate quickly, but even those who aren’t wealthy need to act fast. Make sure you talk to your attorney about probate and taking over your late parent’s money and debts so that you can reduce any charges that may incur during the transition period.
Take Time For Yourself
Losing a parent is never easy on your mental health, no matter how close your relationship was. Even if you didn’t even like your parent, their death could invoke a wide range of emotions, so you need to take the time to unpack them. This process can take time, so don’t be surprised if it takes months or even years to fully overcome your grief and move on with your life. During the busy period after their death, make sure that you get support with other aspects of your life, such as work or caring for your kids. With some time, support and care, you can start to heal and move on with your life without your parent to guide you.
