When grief arrives, it can feel like being caught in a sudden storm. The sea is rough, the horizon disappears, and even the simplest decisions feel overwhelming. Finances are often the last thing you want to face, yet they quickly become part of the reality after losing someone close.

At Decision Makers, we often remind clients that the first step isn’t about racing ahead or trying to fix everything at once. It’s about steadying the ship.

Focus on the essentials

In the early days, concentrate only on what truly needs attention:

●       Immediate bills or payments that can’t wait

●       Locating important documents such as wills, bank accounts, and insurance details

●       Notifying key organisations so things don’t slip through the cracks

Everything else can wait.

Delay the big decisions

We encourage people not to make major changes during the first year of grief. Selling a home, changing investments, or giving away assets can feel urgent, but these decisions are best made once the emotional fog has lifted. Grief clouds judgement, and even the most practical people find that clarity takes time.

Plan ahead as a gift

One way we support clients is through a booklet called My Gift to You. It holds all the details that a family will eventually need – from simple dates and names to financial accounts and key contacts. Filling it out when you’re well can save loved ones enormous stress later. It’s a small act that makes a big difference, giving family members the gift of peace of mind when they need it most.

A steady hand on the tiller

No one should have to steer through financial decisions alone while grieving. Having a trusted adviser beside you provides reassurance and direction. We walk with clients until the waters calm, helping them feel secure enough to take the helm again when they’re ready.

Grief will always be a storm, but with the right support and practical steps, it is possible to steady the ship and set a course for calmer seas.