[Anna Warren]

I had unsuccessful  week : two of my customers died  Very sad  .
One of them has been served by my cleaner and I visited them every two weeks to collect a payment. Person , who died was an elderly lady, but her husband is still there, I'm not sure will he carry on service though. So far , lady's son told my cleaner not to come and he'll call again , if needed.
I accept the tragedy and I don't want to sound pushy, but there's an outstanding balance due here and I don't want to be out of pocket. I don't know , how to approach it?

[Neil Jones]

I'd give it a couple of week and then just send a polite letter saying I understand you don't require the service anymore it was a pleasure working for you bla bla bla however there is still an outstanding invoice due so would you be so kind as to settle this.
Add the reason why you left it x amount of time as you thought it was insensitive and wanted to allow the family to grieve.

[Anna Warren]

Thanks for reply. I'll  leave it for now and I'll do it.

[bobplum]

Thanks for reply. I'll  leave it for now and I'll do it.

How much

[Anna Warren]

£70

[BDCS]

Get them to have a whip round at the funeral 

[Griffus]

I'd seriously consider writing this off. Rather than look at the charge I'd look at the cost. What price dignity?

If it were hundreds or thousands I'd say differently but not for this.

[Deep Cleaning Solutions]

It's amazing how people think differently.
I would not even of thought of trying to recoup the £70, but I'm probably too soft!
If it was enough to hurt my cash flow I probably would though.

In your line of work it may happen many times,
so it may be worth looking at how you get paid,
so that you maybe are a month or week in front and not out of pocket.

[Anna Warren]

I was thinking about writing it off  , but my company is very little, I employ only four people, all part time. It makes difference to me. Funeral is next week. I know is strange and sad situation, it was a lovely lady.

[dustee]

Why wright it off      its a business your running

[BDCS]

Never heard of an undertaker writing the bill off just because the customer snuffed it - Get your silly soft bottom round there and hold your hand out 

[Andy_MK]

Give it a month then send a bill.

[newbroom]

I agree with Griffin right the money off. Send a polite letter offering commiserations stating monies are not owed. The goodwill from this gesture is worth more than £70

[Anna Warren]

Update.
I went on funeral with the cleaner and flowers. I found out elderly gentleman will live at a care home from now, reasonable solution . His son approached me and asked about any money owed. He gave me his address and told me to send a bill. I received a cheque a few days ago, just cashed.
Thanks for all replies.

[Neil Jones]

Decent people will always pay up, how many of us would never dream of just ignoring a bill regardless of what happened. Glad you got paid.