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Practical steps to help you manage your money after losing your partner.
When you’re ready
Losing your partner is a difficult time, and it can leave you with a lot to organise.
You do not need to do everything at once. Focus on what feels most urgent. Come back to the rest later.
Arranging the funeral
Check whether your partner left instructions about their funeral. These instructions may be in a will or with other important documents.
They may include preferences about:
- burial or cremation
- the type of funeral service
- who they want involved.
The costs of a funeral can vary greatly. Try to stick to what you can afford without going into debt.
Compare a few options and get several quotes before you commit. If you don’t feel up to making these calls, ask family or friends to help.
Many funeral providers operate under the same parent company. When comparing quotes, check that you're dealing with different companies.
How can I pay for a funeral?
Your partner’s money
Contact your partner's bank and let them know about the death.
Depending on the circumstances, the bank may release money from your partner's account to help pay for the funeral. This can sometimes happen before probate. Probate is when the court confirms the will.
If you held a joint bank account, the bank can explain what happens next and what documents you’ll need.
Prepaid funerals, funeral bonds and funeral insurance
Your partner may have made arrangements to help pay for their funeral before they died.
This may include a prepaid funeral plan, a funeral bond or funeral insurance.
If you’re unsure, ask the executor of your partner's estate, solicitor, financial adviser or funeral provider.
Depending on the arrangement:
- a prepaid funeral plan may cover some or all funeral costs directly
- a funeral bond may provide money to help pay for funeral expenses
- a funeral insurance policy may pay a benefit after a claim is approved.
Contact the provider to find out what they can pay and what documents you'll need.
Pay in instalments
Some funeral providers offer payment plans. Ask what options are available if immediate payment will be difficult.
Government assistance
You may be eligible for a bereavement payment through Services Australia.
Services Australia also has counselling and other services to help people know what to do following a death.
Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA)
If your partner received a DVA pension, you may be eligible for bereavement payments, funeral benefits and other assistance.
Finding and managing the will
Your partner may have left a will explaining what they want to happen to their estate. An estate includes their money, assets and possessions.
What happens if there is no will?
If you cannot find a will, state and territory laws determine who can inherit from the estate.
What does an executor do?
An executor is responsible for managing the estate and carrying out the wishes outlined in the will.
For more information, see our page on wills and powers of attorney.
Working out your finances
The loss of a partner can have a big impact on your finances.
Your income may change. You may now manage bills, insurance, investments and other finances on your own.
When you're ready, take some time to understand your new financial situation.
Get a clear picture of what you own and owe
Start by making a list of:
- bank accounts
- loans and debts
- property
- investments
- super
- insurance policies.
This can help you see where you stand and decide what to deal with first.
Our net worth calculator can help get you started.
Get a death certificate
The funeral director will usually arrange a death certificate when they register your partner’s death.
You may need a death certificate to:
- transfer assets
- claim insurance
- access super death benefits
- close accounts
- update services.
What happens to life insurance when your partner dies?
If your partner had life cover, contact the insurer as soon as possible to find out whether a claim can be made.
They may have held insurance through:
- a super fund
- their employer
- a separate life insurance policy.
The insurer can explain what documents you'll need and what happens next.
What happens to super when your partner dies?
Contact your partner’s super fund and let them know about the death.
Super does not automatically form part of a person's estate. The super fund decides who can receive any death benefit based on the fund's rules, any beneficiary nomination and Australian law.
If your partner nominated you as a beneficiary, ask the fund what you need to do and what documents you’ll need to provide.
What happens to joint bank accounts when one person dies?
If you shared bank accounts, contact the bank and ask what happens next.
Joint accounts can work differently depending on the account and your circumstances.
Your bank can explain:
- whether the account can continue in your name
- whether any restrictions apply
- what documents you'll need.
Am I responsible for my partner’s debts?
The answer depends on the debt. If you shared a mortgage, personal loan, credit card or another joint debt, contact the provider and ask what happens next.
If your income has changed, ask about the support options available to you. For example, your lender may be able to help if you're worried about meeting mortgage repayments.
If you're unsure about your responsibilities, get legal or financial advice before making decisions.
Look for unclaimed money
Use our unclaimed money search to see if your partner was owed money. This could be from bank accounts, shares, investments, super or life insurance policies.
Cancel or transfer services
You may need to transfer or cancel services that were in your partner’s name, or any you no longer need.
For example:
- bank and investment accounts
- phone and internet
- streaming subscriptions
- utilities (electricity, gas, water)
- memberships and registrations
- email and social media accounts.
The Australian Death Notification Service lets you notify multiple organisations at once. Most providers will ask for a death certificate and proof of identity.
Update your budget
Reviewing your budget can help you adjust to changes in income and expenses.
Our budget planner can help you:
- understand what money is coming in
- identify expenses that need to be paid
- decide where changes may be needed.
Update your own plans
When you feel ready, consider reviewing:
- your will
- super beneficiaries and who gets your super if you die
- insurance policies
- retirement plans – our retirement planner can help with this
- future financial goals.
A major life change can mean your existing arrangements no longer reflect what you want.
Get help with your finances
If you're struggling with how to manage your money, talk to a financial counsellor. They can help you review your budget and your debts, understand your options and work through financial difficulties.
Their service is free, independent and confidential.
Urgent help with money is also available.
Not sure what else needs doing? There can be a lot to organise after losing someone close to you. For a practical checklist covering things like government services, identity documents and other administrative tasks, see the myGov death of someone close to you checklist.
Looking after yourself
Grief affects everyone differently. Some people want to stay busy. Others need time before dealing with practical matters.
Move at a pace that feels right for you. Accept help when people offer it.
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Crisis support |
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Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement Business hours |
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