Handling paperwork during grief

Don’t Do It All at Once

Grief is not linear, and neither is admin. Break tasks down into:

 • Urgent (this week): death certs, funeral, basic notifications

 • Soon (next month): bank accounts, utilities, property matters

 • Later: belongings, tax matters, wills, emotional decisions

Let time do some of the healing before you take on everything.

 

Delegate Without Guilt

 

You’re not meant to be a hero.

Ask or assign specific tasks:

 • “Can you notify the pension office?”

 • “Can you go through their emails?”

 • “Can you look after the pets or mail this week?”

People want to help but they need direction. This gives them purpose and gives you air.

 

Keep a Simple Grief/Admin Journal

 

Have a single notebook (or phone app) to:

 • Jot to-dos

 • Track who you spoke to

 • Write down feelings you don’t want stuck in your chest

It helps stop the mental clutter, grief is already heavy enough.

 

Create “Grief Windows”

Give yourself permission to:

 • Cry before a call

 • Take breaks mid-paperwork

 • Sit in your car for 10 minutes after a bank visit

Let the grief pass through you, not shut down inside you.

Use Scripts When You Can’t Find the Words

It’s okay to say:

“I’ve just lost someone and I’m handling a lot. Could you speak slowly and walk me through this?”

Or:

“I’m grieving right now, and I’m not up to this conversation. Can we speak another time?”

Know the Signs of Grief Burnout

If you’re:

 • Forgetting everything

 • Emotionally numb

 • Constantly exhausted or panicked

That’s a signal to pause, ask for backup, and let something wait.

Remember: This Is a Season, Not Forever

You won’t always feel this drained, scattered, or hollow.

Admin will end. The grief may soften, or reshape but you will not stay in this chaos forever.