Justine lost her brother suddenly. Then an unexpected email arrived

Exclusive: Justine Youl and her family were dealing with the devastating grief of losing her brother to suicide when an email suddenly arrived.

Her 16-year-old niece Matilda lost her father in May this year. And the local pharmacist in Queensland needed her to pay a bill.

“There’s been a number of similar experiences, but this email stands out,” Youl told nine.com.au.

“It was a Saturday afternoon received at 5pm.

“She’s been through a tremendous loss, having already lost her mother as well.”

Youl said the email came from a pharmacy who asked for an outstanding invoice for a prescription to be paid just weeks after his death.

“We are writing because our records show that there is an outstanding account in the name of [redacted], relating to prescriptions supplied prior to their passing,” the email reads.

“We understand that this is a difficult time and we are not asking you to deal with this matter personally.”

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The message went on to ask Matilda to provide the contact details of a solicitor, executor or anyone assisting in the administration of the estate.

Matilda was left alarmed at the email and asked her family for help.

Youl said she was surprised at the lack of “humanity”.

“I just feel like people don’t have compassion any more,” she said.

“They’re like, ‘I’m sorry for your loss now. Can you get me this deliverable?’.

“The debt amount is minimal, it’s not appropriate.”

Grief is already all-consuming.

Youl said money complications and debt-collectors can compound this painful time.

She wants businesses, government agencies and organisations to be better educated on how to deal with sudden deaths.

“Especially if you’re a business owner and you are owed money,” Youl added.

“Like where do you go? You don’t go and ask the individual or their children.

“You go through appropriate channels and you submit the money owing to put in a claim.

“But I don’t think that person actually knew that.”

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Youl and her family are among millions of families who are dealing with debt and complicated finances after losing a loved one.

According to research from Finder, 5.6 million Australians – a quarter of the population – expect to leave behind some kind of debt when they die.

The biggest type of debt that looms over Australians are unpaid home loans.

The second most common is personal loans, car loans and credit card debt.

“You will have people contacting you, chasing money, and in a world that we live in that’s full of fraud. I’m like, is this real or not?” Youl added.

“Because it’s not something that people really talk about on a day-to-day basis.

“So that when somebody passes, you really have no idea what you’re going into or what you’re about to deal with.”

If you or someone you know is going through a difficult time, please know that support is available Lifeline (Australia): Call 13 11 14 (Available 24/7) or text 0477 13 11 14.