Job Reference- please advise

[kasalina]

If a sole employer dies (suddenly, has no family) where would the employees get references from?

Were there any other employees or managers?

If not, then a previous employer would have to do, or even a personal character reference I guess, in the absence of anyone else in a professional capacity.

It was a Housekeeping/PA/Carer role.

Were you directly employed by the person, ie not through an agency? It's a tough one, I guess you would need to explain that to a prospective employer - did they have any friends?

I'm hiring someone who worked for this person (not agency) directly employed by the gentleman.

Co-worker, or somebody they dealt with on a regular basis?

The housekeeper/PA should be able to get references from another previous employer or perhaps someone like a community nurse or doctor who dealt with them over the employer's care? Otherwise what about personal references from a clergyman or a friend of the employer?