When someone you love dies, the grief can be overwhelming, and the number of practical tasks that need immediate attention can feel impossible to manage. This guide provides a complete, chronological checklist of everything families need to handle after a death, from the first hours through the first year, so you can move through each step without missing anything critical.
You do not need to do everything at once. This checklist is organized by timeframe so you can focus on what matters right now and come back to later tasks when you are ready.
The First 24 Hours
The immediate aftermath of a death involves medical, legal, and logistical steps that must happen quickly. Here is what to address first.
Get a Legal Pronouncement of Death
A death must be officially pronounced by a medical professional before anything else can proceed. If the death occurs at home, call 911 (for an unexpected death) or the hospice provider (if the person was receiving end-of-life care). In a hospital or nursing facility, staff will handle this. The pronouncement triggers the process of issuing a death certificate.
Contact a Funeral Home
The funeral home handles the transportation of the body, assists with arrangements, and typically coordinates the death certificate process with the state vital records office. If the deceased had pre-planned funeral arrangements, contact the specified funeral home. If not, you will need to choose one. You are not required to use the first funeral home suggested, and the FTC Funeral Rule gives you the right to compare prices.
Notify Immediate Family and Close Friends
Before posting anything publicly, make sure key family members and close friends are notified personally. Designate one or two people to make calls so the responsibility does not fall entirely on one person.
Secure the Deceased's Property
If the deceased lived alone, secure their home. Lock all doors and windows, adjust thermostats, check for pets that need care, stop mail delivery temporarily, and make sure nothing of value is left visible or accessible. Ask a trusted neighbor or family member to check on the property if you live far away.
The First Week
Order Death Certificates
Order at least 10 to 12 certified copies of the death certificate. You will need them for insurance claims, bank accounts, Social Security, the DMV, probate court, and more. The funeral home typically orders these on your behalf. Certified copies cost $10 to $25 each depending on your state. Learn more about required documentation in our guide to documents needed for a life insurance claim.
File Life Insurance Claims
Contact each life insurance carrier to initiate the claims process. You will need the policy number (if you have it), the deceased's Social Security number, and a certified death certificate. If you do not know whether the deceased had life insurance, search their records and use the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator. For step-by-step instructions, see our complete guide to filing a life insurance claim.
"The most common mistake families make is waiting weeks or months to look into life insurance," says Spencer Wolkov, CEO of MedaSynq Technologies. "Filing early ensures you receive financial support when you need it most, and it prevents the claim from becoming more complicated over time."
Notify Social Security
Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to report the death. The funeral home may file this notification on your behalf, but confirm that it has been done. If the deceased was receiving Social Security benefits, payments received after the date of death must be returned. A surviving spouse or dependent children may be eligible for survivor benefits.
Notify the Employer
Contact the deceased's employer to report the death. Ask about any group life insurance, unpaid salary, accrued vacation or PTO payouts, retirement account beneficiary processes, and continuation of health insurance for dependents under COBRA.
MedaSynq helps families manage the financial and insurance tasks after a death. From filing claims to recovering unclaimed assets, we handle the hard parts so you can focus on your family.
Get Help Managing EverythingThe First Month
Locate the Will and Contact an Attorney
Search for the deceased's will in their home, with their attorney, or in a safe deposit box. The will names an executor (personal representative) who is responsible for managing the estate. If there is no will, the estate is "intestate," and the court will appoint an administrator according to state law. Consider consulting a probate attorney, especially if the estate includes real property or complex assets.
Open Probate (If Required)
Probate is the legal process of settling an estate. Not all estates require formal probate. Assets with named beneficiaries (life insurance, retirement accounts, payable-on-death bank accounts) pass directly to beneficiaries outside of probate. Jointly owned property typically transfers to the surviving owner. Only assets solely in the deceased's name with no designated beneficiary go through probate. Many states offer simplified probate procedures for small estates.
Notify Financial Institutions
Contact every bank, credit union, brokerage, and financial institution where the deceased held accounts. You will need a certified death certificate and, for accounts that go through probate, letters testamentary from the court. Jointly held accounts typically pass to the surviving owner; individually held accounts become part of the estate.
Cancel or Transfer Utilities and Services
Cancel or transfer utilities (electric, gas, water, internet), phone plans, streaming subscriptions, email accounts, and social media accounts. For subscriptions charged to credit cards, contact the card issuer to stop future charges.
Notify Government Agencies
- DMV to cancel the driver's license and vehicle registration
- Voter registration office to remove from voter rolls
- Post office to forward or hold mail
- Passport office to cancel the passport
- Medicare/Medicaid if applicable
Months Two Through Six
File Final Tax Returns
The deceased's final federal and state income tax returns must be filed for the year of death. If the estate generates income (from investments, rental property, etc.), a separate estate tax return (Form 1041) may be required. Consider hiring a CPA or tax preparer experienced with estate returns.
Settle Debts and Pay Creditors
The estate is responsible for paying the deceased's debts. As executor, you should publish a notice to creditors (required in most states), review all claims against the estate, and pay valid debts from estate funds. Do not pay debts from your personal accounts. Many debts die with the person unless there is a co-signer or surviving spouse in a community property state.
Search for Unclaimed Assets
Check for unclaimed property, forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, and unredeemed insurance policies. The NAIC Policy Locator, state unclaimed property databases, and employer benefits records are good starting points. For a detailed guide, see our article on finding unclaimed life insurance.
The First Year and Beyond
Distribute Assets to Beneficiaries
Once debts are settled and the probate process is complete (or near completion), the executor can distribute remaining assets to beneficiaries according to the will or state intestacy laws. Keep detailed records of every distribution.
Close the Estate
File a final accounting with the probate court showing all assets, debts paid, and distributions made. Once approved, the court will officially close the estate and discharge the executor from further responsibility.
Essential Documents Checklist
Gather and keep the following documents organized throughout the estate settlement process:
- Certified death certificates (10 to 12 copies)
- Will and/or trust documents
- Letters testamentary or letters of administration from probate court
- Life insurance policies and claim numbers
- Bank and financial account statements
- Retirement account statements (401k, IRA, pension)
- Real estate deeds and mortgage documents
- Vehicle titles and registration
- Social Security card and benefit statements
- Recent tax returns (last three years)
- Outstanding bills and debt statements
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first thing you should do when someone dies?
If the death occurs at home, call 911 or the local emergency number immediately. If the person was under hospice care, call the hospice nurse. Do not call the funeral home until a medical professional has arrived to pronounce the death and the body has been released. If the death occurs in a hospital or care facility, the staff will handle the immediate medical procedures and guide you on next steps.
How many death certificates do I need to order?
Order at least 10 to 12 certified copies of the death certificate. You will need them for each life insurance claim, each bank and financial account, Social Security, the DMV, the probate court, pension plans, and other institutions. Certified copies typically cost $10 to $25 each depending on the state. It is significantly easier and cheaper to order extras upfront than to request more later.
Do I need a lawyer when someone dies?
Not always, but an attorney can be very helpful if the deceased owned real estate, had a complex estate, died without a will (intestate), or if there are disputes among family members. Probate attorneys specialize in estate settlement and can navigate state-specific laws. For simple estates with clearly designated beneficiaries and few assets, you may be able to handle most tasks without legal representation.
How long do I have to file a life insurance claim after someone dies?
There is no strict legal deadline in most states, but you should file as soon as reasonably possible, ideally within 30 to 60 days. Waiting too long can complicate the process and, after several years, unclaimed benefits may be escheated to the state as unclaimed property. Filing promptly also ensures you receive financial support when you need it most.
Who is responsible for paying the deceased person's bills?
The deceased's estate is responsible for paying their debts, not their family members individually (unless they co-signed a loan or are a surviving spouse in a community property state). Do not pay any bills with your personal funds. Notify creditors of the death in writing and direct them to the estate's executor or administrator. Some debts may be dischargeable, and an estate attorney can advise on priority of payments.