I am very sorry for your loss. I am also sorry that on top of the pain of losing your husband you have to deal with crappy, nasty step kids.

Be kind to yourself.

(((HUGS)))

Is anything. House bank account ect in your name.  Was there a will ?   Any thing in two names will most likely will be yours. Insurance policy who ever the Beneficiary is.  If you are afraid go see a lawer, now  to know your rights,  before the money grab starts 

Damn, i'm sorry for your loss. Not sure if you mean emotionally hurtful or hurtful to you financially or physically?

If they are emotionally hurtful to you, you can finally be rid of them from your life now. Don't let them in your home. Don't answer calls, emails, letters, or texts. Block them in all ways. If they continue to harass you, contact the authorities.

If financially, like they are trying to take your money or kick you out of your home, only a lawyer can help. Idk the laws in Australia. If they are physically threatening you, cops.

I'm so sorry you are going through this. I'm guessing they have been a problem for years? With toxic people, any milestone is a chance to get their toxic jabs in. Everywhere from elementary school "graduations", holidays, birthdays, weddings, and (especially it seems) funerals. 

No experience with this.  However, do not internalize their toxicity or tolerate it at all.  Start putting them in an ever tightening box with cease and desist letters from  your attorney.  If they cannot be respectful and additive to your life, they have no place in your life.  Make that crystal clear for them.

If they are disrespectful, threatening, abusive, or in any way aggressive, nail them with an RO/PO and keep the courts hip deep up their backsides.  Their grief is not a license to disrespect  or hurt you.

As a husband myself, I have no doubt your husband would not tolerate their crap. He certainly would not tolerate their crap and wouldn't want you to invest in toxic people regardless of who they are supposed to be.

Live well and take care of you.

I am very sorry to hear of your loss.

I do hope they were respectful at the funeral.  THe above folk have all given good advice.  Death, unfortunately, brings out the ghouls and when they are stepchildren that is even worse.

Lots of hugs at you and take care of yourself at this grieving and emotional time.

My husband died a little over a year ago. I delayed the memorial service so one of his kids could more easily come, which was fine because I needed the space.

He had a recurrence of a rare and very aggressive cancer for which he had been treated three years prior. We thought he had beat it but it came back with a vengeance. During his illness, from August through late February he had surgery, developed sepsis and was hospitalized and in rehab for most of the time. I kept his kids informed of his condition and repeatedly stressed the seriousness of his condition. They didn't reach out until he entered hospice care at home. Two of his three came to see him for about an hour and then again no contact until I told them he had only days to live. Even then they delayed coming to see him until he was no longer aware of his surroundings.

At the memorial service his youngest spoke and told everyone how he "forgave" his father. I wanted to punch him.

His crime, for which he was "forgiven?" He got married. And I had kids and a little granddaughter at the time. His daughter was furious that he spent time with my family and managed to turn his sons against him. We had welcomed his kids into our home and heaped attention on his grandkids but she just couldn't get past the reality that he now had "another family" as she put it.

After the memorial service I unfriended them on FB and have not had any contact with them. But I know they tried to break the will but we owned everything jointly so they were disappointed. So sad.

I just couldn't endure anymore of them after their rejection of him during his illness. If you can make it happen not to have any contact with them going forward I would encourage you to do that. There are many things I would like to say to them about their treatment of him over the 20+ years we were together but it would only wind me up and make no difference anyway. I still think about them but it's not as intense as it was. 

I'm so sorry for your loss.  Losing a spouse is terrible and must be compounded with the stress of dealing with their children.

I will bullet out some thoughts here because unfortunately, when someone passes.. it can bring out the worst instincts and intentions.

First.  I hope your husband and you had done adequate legal planning for your wills and estates.

Second, Even if you did not, you need to seek out a competent estate attorney ASAP to help you navigate this.. especially if there are any potentially significant assets at stake.

Third, nothing should be distributed until it is legally allowed through probate.  I dont' care if "dad said he always wanted me to have his rolex collection".. "Mom's china".. whatever.. nothing leaves  your home until it is legally stipulated.

Fourth, further to the prior point, I would avoid having or hosting anythign at your home.. have a service at the funeral home.. and do not welcome his kids into your home where you are vulnerable.

Fifth.. even if his kids may have some claim to the home.. don't leave without taking the advice of your lawyer.. which you MUST have.. if you expect to protect your self.

Sixth.. if you have any friends or family that can run interference when the kids may try to show up.. at the funeral etc.. that is best.. If they try to start something.. you walk away and let your "person" ask them to leave. 

I am sorry for your loss. That is hard enough as it is. 

Do not let SKs come around. If they are wanting money, etc. strictly follow the will or direct them to your attorney. In my state, the spouse automatically gets the other half, unless stated otherwise in a will. I doubt your DH would want you dealing with SKs crap. 

Protect your peace.

I don't have experience with this particular subject but I am sure if my DH passes before I do, My OSS will be a problem. We have a will but I know I'll have to change the locks on the house and stand firm when he starts demanding things out of the house (which he will as he's very self entitled).

You weren't specific as to what they're doing. In PA where I live, all assets automatically go to the surviving spouse but bank accounts don't follow that rule. If they are harrassing you, I'd cut off all contact and see an attorney about a cease and desist letter. Best of luck to you.