My mum has cancer and I’m so worried about what I have to do when she dies

DEAR DEIDRE: MY mum is dying and I’m so worried about what I have to do when she dies.

I’m the only son of a single mum, without family support, so everything will be down to me. I feel anxious and overwhelmed.

Mum is 49 and has terminal cancer. I’m 19.

She has a funeral plan but I have no idea about all the other practical things I’ll have to do when the time comes. 

Who do I tell? Who do I call? What paperwork do I need to fill out? 

I’m a student and none of my friends have had to deal with anything like this, so they can’t help – or understand. 

And I can’t talk to her about it, as she has enough to worry about. 

DEIDRE SAYS: This is such a weight on your young shoulders.

But there are people who can help you. 

Fortunately, the Government website (gov.uk) has a ‘tell us once’ service, which means you can fill out all the necessary legal forms in one go.

For information on the process contact Citizens Advice (citizensadvice.org.uk).