Life has a way of testing us in unimaginable ways. In my journey of helping people navigate through financial matters post loss of a loved one, I meet many strong people. During this journey, I happened to meet this girl A (let’s call her A for privacy issues), a younger sister adored and protected by every member of the family especially by her brother. Living abroad, she had always been cared for by her elder brother, R, who handled everything from her travel plans to financial needs, not because she couldn’t, but because he loved doing it.
One day her world turned upside down with one phone call. R had been in a tragic accident and was no more. In shock and disbelief, A rushed to India, her heart breaking at the sight of her grieving parents. Despite her own sorrow, she mustered the courage to travel to the remote town where the accident happened, to bring her brother home one last time.
During her journey back home, she couldn’t help but think of what’s next? What needs to be done and how would it be done. Dreading of figuring out things and other arrangements to ensure a dignified sendoff to her brother, she landed home. But to her surprise, R’s friends had already arranged for the funeral, standing by her family like pillars of strength.
Their support gave her the strength to move forward. She started with operational activities needed post the unfortunate event. The next step was to get the death certificate. A daunting task in a remote region that shuts down for months due to weather. This once-pampered younger sister, who had little experience with bureaucratic systems, managed to contact the police commissioner of the area and ensure the certificate was issued before the window closed.
But that was just the beginning. The complex web of financial claims awaited, discovering R’s accounts, managing investments, dealing with government offices, and selling off belongings. A, who had never been the one to handle such responsibilities, took charge. She cleared bills, coordinated with offices, gathered documents, and supported her grieving parents every step of the way.
It was during this time that I met A, introduced by one of R’s friends. Together, we navigated the overwhelming task of asset discovery and claims processing.
For me to see a sheltered sister transform to the head of the family was nothing short of inspiration. A’s story is a reminder of how strong we can be when life demands it, but it also teaches us the importance of taking charge or just be informed about finances irrespective of age or role in the family.
While A managed to rise above the chaos, things could have been simpler with organized financial records, declared nominees, and a clear will. It is high time we take charge of these things. Take the time to organize your finances today. It’s an act of love for those you care about most.
If you or someone you care about needs support in organizing or managing finances pre or post loss, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can write to us at lync.family@finuture.in
