When someone dies.....

I didn't.
I was commenting on DinoLil's comment:

My comment was how would this help

From this thread it would appear that a lot of people confuse the difference between 'Next of Kin' and 'Emergency Contact'.
An emergency contact should be someone local to you, who could/would help you if you fell over in the street, or locked yourself out, etc; and sometimes take/collect you from a hospital appointment. Ideally a local keyholder, etc.
Next of Kin, is your nearest relative (if you have any), who would deal with your residence, belongings/funeral after your death.
If you have a relative that lives close by, then this may be the same person.
If you do not have any relatives, and have nominated someone who is willing to do this, or act as an executor of your will, then that person has assumed the role of a next of kin.

I think wise to at least put in your adult children’s contact details in your “death book” alongside your bank account details etc!

Where does this poster say her adult children live “100s of miles away”?!

Read the full thread.

How would that help? They live 100's of miles away. How would they know? They'd phone and get no answer, same as the CMHT nurse.

Mine too! They each checked each other's kitchen window curtains first thing.

I'd take a few days out of my life and just go see him. Op's friend will regret it if she doesn't. I understand it's not an easy thing to do what with work and kids and pets, etc for most people but I'd book somewhere nearby (a pet friendly caravan and drag the dc along if needs must) for a couple of nights and just turn up so at least I could see what is actually happening.

I do the same with a delivered newspaper.

some councils subsidise private schemes and private schemes are available. Anybody thinking of one now should make sure that it will still work when the telephone line changeover happens in their area.

That's why I've kept my milk delivery going. Seriously...

It's only twice a week, but someone would notice before too long.

Local authorities, Age UK and others still do alarms

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/products/mobility-and-independence-at-home/personal-alarms/

"i worry about that happening to me, it wouldn't be months but I think I could be lying there decomposing for a few weeks before anyone bothered to check on me."
I think if you live on your own without any family, then it's probably a good idea to have one or more friends or neighbours, who can keep an eye on you, and note if you haven't been seen lately.
I remember when my late MIL was hospitalised, and my DH and I went to her house to collect a few items for her, the next door neighbour came round to ask after her, as he had not seen her.
This is the kind of thing at the very least.
My DM had a council run 'pendant' around her nexk, by which, if she fell or similar she could contact them, and they would contact one of her two nominated friends/neighbours who lived nearby. I don't think this kind of service is operated now, though this may depend on the area. Of course my DM DID have family but the emergency concat was in case of a fall, or similar.

The start of the thread had me thinking you were worried about him being ill and dying alone or his body being left, which would be very sad. The way it ends though sounds like you just want to be notified once he's gone. In my opinion if you're not interested in being there for someone in life you're not entitled to anything in their death.

only if he wants it.

Why don’t you put your adult DC as next of kin to save four people coming out again, inc two police officers?

@Zezet You can't under estimate the value of having lovely neighbours! Just simple things like the curtains can make a massive difference. I think I would like your grandmother!

@Othersnotsomuch My DCs are adults and haven't lived with me for years. I'm alone and responsible for just an aquatic turtle and an elderly dog. The dog would probably raise the alarm at 7am or 5pm by shouting the street down if her food bowl hadn't been filled!

And exactly, @isittime!!😆

If anyone cares about him when he's alive, prevention to dying alone is hugely important. A personal alarm for elderly people living reclusive lives is a possible solution to suddenly feeling unwell and be alone.

As to what happens after he dies, it'll depend on his will if he has one.

When my dad died the police found his passport which had two next of kin listed at the back. The local police called the police where one of the NOK lives and they went round and informed them. Then the NOK rang the rest of the family.

I have an uncle I feel the same about. He talks to my mum occasionally, but isn’t in regular touch and lives hundreds of miles away. No other family, no children. Not social at all.

I don’t know what would happen if he died - we wouldn’t worry for weeks of no one had heard from him. We’d have to hope a neighbour noticed, but not sure how anyone would connect back to family/next of kin.

It’s a sad thought really.

I think we can safely assume that! Otherwise the death book and welfare check wouldn't make any sense would it.

how awful for you

presumably live alone with no dependent children?

My grandmother used to have a similar arrangment with the neighbour across the street that the curtains must be up before Xam

@Othersnotsomuch Yes. Because of my MH history and attempts iyswim. I'm closely monitored. I can't be sectioned because the local hospital's ward is full!

Oh and I'm very good friends with my 91yr old neighbour. She has a crazy social life, far busier than mine! She knocks on my door or phones me if she's not seen me for a couple of days. I know if her curtains aren't opened then there's a problem. We both have keys to each others houses as well.