You know how awful it is when the inevitable happens, your world comes crashing down, and you are unable to think straight. There is so much to do in limited time. You are unsure of who to turn to and unsure of what will happen next. This guide will help you navigate the process, whether your loss has recently occurred or you are simply planning ahead.

This book has been written with a global perspective in mind and is applicable to anyone living anywhere in the world. Written in the United Kingdom, laws will vary from country to country. For example, the United Kingdom compared to Scotland and Ireland, or the rest of Europe compared to the United States. Nevertheless, when someone dies, funeral planning and the psychology and emotions involved in dealing with death are essentially the same.

This book offers practical advice and peace of mind to help you think clearly and objectively, while reflecting upon a myriad of important issues, before and after someone dies. It will help you prioritize tasks and manage your time for tasks done immediately after death (within one week); provide advice on significant people to contact; offer information about funeral arrangements, logistics, funeral-related expenses, and other financial expenses; compare the advantages and disadvantages of preplanned funerals; discuss the role of an executor; define a property trust; and offer help in dealing with the aftermath of the funeral and the onset grief, including major life changes and adjustments for the future.

Appropriate planning helps you to make balanced, informed decisions and avoid unnecessary conflicts.