The Journey Together Managing Finances in Difficult Times
Sep 15, 2025
Colm O’Flaherty, qualified financial advisor and CEO/co-founder of Neptune Financial with 21+ years’ experience, discusses supports and planning around serious illness, lost income and bereavement. He covers finding forgotten assets, income protection versus critical illness cover, state and charity supports, low-cost ways to cover funeral costs, wills and inheritance planning, and practical budgeting and saving steps.
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Get Death Certificates And Contact The Solicitor
- Do prioritise getting multiple death certificates, contact the solicitor and locate life insurance after a death to begin financial administration.
- Colm recommends storing copies safely and contacting the will's solicitor to confirm wishes and insurance details.
Claim Funeral And Bereavement Grants
- Do check for funeral and bereavement grants like the Widows/Surviving Civil Partner Grant and accident-at-work funeral support.
- Colm says the widows grant can be up to €8,000 if you care for children under 18 and a funeral grant up to €850 for work accidents.
Buy A Small Whole Of Life Policy For Funerals
- Do consider a small whole-of-life policy to cover funeral costs; Colm gives an example costing about €40/month for €25,000 cover at age 55.
- He frames this as affordable protection that prevents funeral-related hardship for survivors.