The Legal Aspects of Dying – helping you through your loss
The thought of death is something we tend to keep from entering our minds…
Spending time now and then planning for this event will make it much easier for loved ones to recover from this loss. Can you even remember where you put your will?
Some of the curve balls that life throws at you could be a death overseas, what then? Do you want to donate your body to science? The red tape and rigmarole can be daunting.
This is what prompted Vicky Ireland, a local resident, to write a book. She experienced first-hand how difficult it is when someone close to you passes away and you’re left trying to arrange the collection and transport of the body, getting a death certificate, arranging the funeral, sorting out bank accounts … all this while you are grieving. Vicky pondered, “I wondered why there was no manual on what to do when a person dies.”
It took Vicky 25 years before she had the time to research this topic and she has now published the book ‘The Legal Aspects of Dying’.
So what does this 80 page well researched yet simple to understand book contain that will be useful to you?
• Legislation and Causes of Death – natural and unnatural
• Dying outside of your country of residence
• Burial or cremation – pros, cons, legalities, requirements
• Winding up an estate – if there is a will and if there isn’t a will
• Preparing for your own death
• Making a valid will
• Financial Documents and Accounts and Tax
• Insurance and other policies.
• Personal Certificates and other documents
• Organ and tissue donation
• Contact details
• Examples of Notification of Death Certificate, Death Certificate, Cremation Certificate.
More about Vicky
Vicky and her husband Trevor, who live in Durban, have been married for over 40 years and their two children are both married.
Vicky has worked for the Department of Medicine at the University of Natal’s Medical School as a Post-Graduate and Research Officer and completed her career as the Assistant Registrar for the University of Natal. While working, Vicky completed a BAdmin degree and a BCom Hons degree.
Vicky retired in 2002 and in 2005 finally started the research for this book, which she completed in 2010.
Now that the book is published and Trevor has retired, the two of them enjoy travelling around Africa and the world.
This book is currently directly available from Vicky Ireland and costs R90 + R25 postage in South Africa. Call her on 031 572 2628. e-mail her at trevi@svnet.co.za or visit her blog www.vicky.bundublog.com