
COTA Victoria is finalising input from consumers to update our in-depth resource Death of a Partner: a practical guide for partners and families.
The simple, practical guide helps you understand what to do following the death of a partner. Originally completed in May 2018, the guide relied on valuable input from two skilled COTA Victoria volunteers who had witnessed first-hand the complexities facing families after the death of a family member.
The guide includes a simple checklist, as well as detailed instructions and contact details for organisations that can help. It covers topics including:
- funerals, burials and cremation
- settling the estate
- accessing and closing accounts
- providing notification of the death
- looking after yourself.
So far, resource users say they find the booklet very helpful, particularly the section on self-care. As one respondent noted, survivors can feel guilty about taking time for themselves, but ‘by making mention of the need for self-care, the guide legitimises any activity outside of the endless ‘arrangements’ and phone calls.’
Download a copy of Death of a Partner: a practical guide for partners and families (PDF).
To contribute to updating this resource, please consider the guide via the above link and complete a brief survey by 25 February.
We thank you for your input!