Here is what changes regarding funeral obligations and provisions in the event of absence and presumed death with the adoption of the new Simplifications Bill.
In fact, within this new regulatory text, the Government has approved measures that streamline times and procedures in various sectors of activity: economy, navigation and tourism, work, self-protection, provision of health serviceseducation and university. More information is available here.
From more specific measures to broader ones, citizens will have new options and provisions and will see, on paper, a greater simplification of administrative obligations. A particular aspect concerns for example funeral arrangements and rules for absence and presumed death. Let’s find out what’s new.
Simplifications bill: the news regarding funeral obligations
These are provisions welcomed with satisfaction by the PHENIOPH (National Federation of Funeral Companies), who points out that already during the health emergency period (also with the contribution of the federation) a plurality of measures and protocols had been launched aimed at streamlining and simplifying the bureaucratic obligations connected to a death event.
Now these procedures, tested for more than two years during the pandemic, have proven to be invaluable in facilitating the work of the PA for the benefit of citizens and operators and are so valid and current that they deserve to find stable application even after the health emergency is over.
Simplification of procedures for the funeral sector
L’article 13 of the Simplification Billi represents a significant turning point in the funeral sector, introducing a more practical and accessible approach to the administrative procedures necessary for burials, entombments, cremations and ash management. Before these new provisions, the process for obtaining the required authorizations was burdened by an excessive burden of paper documentation and long waiting times.
The companies and individuals involved in these practices had to deal with complex bureaucratic processes, which often led to delays and inefficiencies. The large amounts of documentation required contributed to increasing costs and slowing down request processing times. Furthermore, the extended wait times added further stress and discomfort to those who were already dealing with an emotionally difficult situation.
However, thanks to the new provisions introduced by Article 13, this scenario is undergoing a radical change. Now, all the necessary requests can be completed and submitted online, eliminating the need for paper documentation and significantly simplifying the process. This digitalisation of procedures not only reduces the complexity of the procedures, but also waiting times, allowing faster and more efficient management of funeral procedures.
Furthermore, online access to requests is beneficial greater transparency and traceability of the process, allowing competent authorities to monitor and manage ongoing practices more effectively. This translates into a better overall experience for funeral businesses and citizens who need these services, reducing administrative burdens and ensuring faster and smoother access to the necessary authorizations.
Declarations of absence and presumed death
An equally crucial aspect of the simplifications introduced by the Bill concerns declarations of absence and presumed deathwhich have a significant impactor on access to inheritance and assets for those who are entitled to it.
Based on previous legislationthe declaration of absence could only be formulated after two long years of the person’s absence. This waiting period often represented a further source of discontent for family members, as it prevented them from accessing the absentee’s assets and inheritance until this lengthy procedure was completed.
Even more extreme, the declaration of presumed death even required ten years of waiting before it could be formalized. This meant that family members had to wait a decade before they could gain any legal certainty about a person’s disappearance and access to their assets.
However, with article 14 of the Simplifications Bill, these times have been drastically reduced. Now, the declaration of absence can be submitted after only a year’s absencewhile that of presumed death it only takes five years.
This reduction in waiting times allows quicker access to inheritance and assets, easing the bureaucratic burden and emotional anxiety for family members who have to deal with such a delicate situation. In this way, the bureaucratic process becomes less burdensome for those facing a loss, allowing them to more easily manage the succession and have more timely access to the necessary assets and resources.
Source: article by lentepubblica.it editorial team
