The Challenges of Grief When Settling An Estate

December 2, 2025

Grief is a part of life that will inevitably touch all of us, yet is widely misunderstood in practical and holistic applications.

It is no secret that the impact of a loved one’s death is immense and life changing. In fact, “death of a loved one” sits as number one on the list of life stressor events. The aftermath of loss is often unbearable and challenging beyond words could ever fully express. Yet, every human on our planet will experience a loss at one point or another. 

Given that this is a universal experience, the expectations put on grieving or bereaved people are unrealistic. Recent research has shown more evidence that those navigating acute grief, in the year or two after a death, are not operating at their “normal” capacity. They are changed.

When we examine the effects of grief on a physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual level, we can better understand the support that bereaved individuals or families are needing and deserve. When we consider that a bereaved individual is often navigating the settling of an estate and end of life administration, it is essential to consider the state of mind they are in: How their body is affected, how differently their mind operates, and what support can ease their challenges. 

A variety of studies have identified changes in the acute grief period just after a death including, but not limited to:

  • Increase in cortisol levels (Buckley et al., 2012)
  • Difficulty concentration and emotional numbness (O’Connor, 2019)
  • Changes in immune cells and an increase in inflammation (Knowles et al., 2019)
  • Increased intensity or frequency of sadness, anger, and/or anxiety (O’Connor, 2019)

When we culminate all of these potential physical and psychological responses, it makes sense why small tasks can feel so daunting, why memory feels fleeting, or why it is simply hard to get things done! While all people deal with loss differently, there are significant commonalities occurring in the body and brain that put a strain on someone’s ability to know their next steps and feel capable in getting them done. 

How Cadence caters to the grieving mind

With full awareness of a bereaved individual or family, Cadence provides the clarity, guidance and structure to take care of next steps in a timely manner. 

The Roadmap within the software lays out a game plan, or a strategy, so that:

  • anxiety is eased,
  • a step-by-step personalized process is in place,
  • everything is organized in one place, and
  • less research and time is required to understand what to do. 

Using a tool like Cadence alleviates stress from the bereaved. Individuals are able to keep track of everything while being supported by a grief-informed and estate savvy customer care team. The two aspects of the service, the roadmap and customer support, culminate to answer questions and provide compassionate support during an emotionally and physically taxing time. 

The result? Individuals who use Cadence are able to navigate the process of estate settlement up to 80% faster, and do it without the feeling of being alone. A sense of community and empowerment are critical components of supporting the bereaved. The comprehensive and personalized digital task list that can be checked off helps to evoke a sense of relief and control in a very new and uncertain time. Ultimately, Cadence returns time to those valuable first months of loss for what really matters: grieving, healing, and adjusting to the infamous “new normal.”

As we continue to learn more about the impact of grief, we can better know how to support one another as a collective humanity. We can find patience, kinder words, and connect to the deep understanding that grief changes people from the inside out. Every individual should be acknowledged in their bereavement journey, and the more we can automate and simplify all the “must do’s,” we leave more time for the “want to’s.” 

Clearing space for grief processing is the end goal. Managing the tasks and logistics of end of life through the utilization of technology is an obvious piece of the puzzle in the 21st century. Make time for what matters, slow down, and feel supported. Every human deserves this level of care.

Why Cadence Exists: A Founder’s Story

February 9, 2026
When my mom died, I left the funeral home with a checklist. It didn’t feel helpful. It felt crushing. I remember sitting at my kitchen table afterward, crying, staring at a list of things I was suddenly responsible for—forms to fill out, accounts to close, tasks to complete. I searched online for guidance, typed my mom’s date of death into one form after another, and felt the weight of it all pressing down at a moment when I was least able to cope. What struck me most wasn’t just the grief. It was the absence of a clear path forward. Instead of structure or support, I found broken, fragmented systems—and an overwhelming amount of responsibility placed on people in the rawest moments of their lives At the time, I assumed this was just my experience. Discovering a Shared Reality Over the years, that assumption proved wrong. Through volunteering in hospice, talking with families, and working alongside care providers, I began to hear the same story again and again. The confusion. The overwhelm. The feeling of being left alone to navigate a complicated web of tasks after loss. What I experienced wasn’t the exception. It was the norm And that realization stayed with me. A Better Way After Loss The period after a death is one of the most vulnerable times in a person’s life. Yet it’s also when we ask families to become administrators, coordinators, and decision-makers—often without guidance, clarity, or continuity of care. That didn’t feel right. Cadence exists because that time after loss deserves more structure, more clarity, and more care than it’s been given That belief is the foundation of everything we do. Built for Families, With Funeral Homes We built Cadence for families—but we work hand in hand with funeral homes. Why? Because funeral homes are often the last place families feel truly supported , and at the same time, the first place where responsibility begins Funeral professionals show up for families at an incredibly meaningful moment. Cadence is designed to extend that care beyond the service itself—helping families navigate what comes next with confidence instead of confusion. Doing This Together Cadence is not about replacing human connection. It’s about strengthening it. We’re here to do this work together—with funeral homes, care providers, and families—so no one feels abandoned once the ceremony ends. Supporting families long after the service isn’t an extra. It’s the work. And that’s why I built Cadence. About Rachel Drew, CEO & Founder of Cadence Rachel Drew is the Founder and CEO of Cadence. She founded the company after recognizing a critical gap in support for families following a death. With experience working alongside hospice providers, care teams, and funeral professionals, Rachel leads Cadence with a focus on extending care beyond the service and strengthening the role funeral homes play in supporting families long-term.

Identity Theft Awareness Week: Tips for Lowering the Hidden Risk After a Death

By Cydney Schwartz • January 27, 2026
When someone dies, their identity doesn’t automatically disappear. And for families, that reality can create risks they never expected to manage. In the weeks and months that follow a death, families are juggling grief, paperwork, and a long list of unfamiliar responsibilities. During this time, a person’s identity is often still active across financial institutions, government agencies, and digital platforms, quietly creating an overlooked window of vulnerability. This risk is commonly referred to as deceased identity theft or “ghosting.” While it’s rarely talked about, consumer protection agencies consistently warn that it’s a real and ongoing issue—one that can add unnecessary stress and financial harm to families already navigating loss. This Identity Theft Awareness Week we’re helping families understand the risks after a loss, and how to limit them.
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