Keeping safe and warm after a bereavement

The reasons for keeping our appliances, like boilers and ovens, safe might seem obvious. But your home being cold can have a serious impact on your health too.

You should be able to keep your home at a minimum of 18°C . Your main living area should be 21°C.

This is even more important if you are grieving, as your immune system may not be working as well. Keeping warm will help you protect yourselves from coughs, colds and other infections.

Keeping your home warm is also really important if, as well as grieving, you have health issues that affect your breathing, your heart or if you find it difficult to get up from or recover from a fall or injury.

Yet many people face big changes to their lives after a bereavement that make it hard to keep their homes safe and warm. Such as:

• Having less money because the person who has died used to earn money or claimed benefits which you shared.
• The person who has died managed bills or repairs. You might be unsure how to do this. You may be finding it difficult to contact your supplier or make changes.
• You have been left with bills or debts related to the person’s illness or death such as healthcare treatment or solicitor bills.
• You are experiencing poor mental health related to your grief which is making it hard to manage practical details like bills and maintenance. Poor mental health can be made worse if you are not safe and warm.