After a death

You have time.

We’re sorry. You don’t have to read any of this tonight. There is one phone call to make, if it hasn’t been made. Everything else can wait until tomorrow, or the day after, or next week. The Dutch system gives you six working days. You have time.

Right now, the only thing you have to do is ring the doctor.

The huisarts (or, after hours, the huisartsenpost) needs to come and confirm the death. Nothing else has to happen today. The funeral undertaker, the bank, the paperwork — all of that can wait until tomorrow or the day after.

If you want to read something

Three pieces, that’s all that’s open here. Each one is short. Read one, or none.

In the coming days, when paperwork starts
When you have room for the people, not just the tasks
Later, when you can sit with something longer

If this is hard right now

You don’t have to be alone in it. Someone will pick up: