Losing someone you love is one of the hardest things a person can go through. In the middle of raw grief, you are also suddenly responsible for a long list of practical tasks — many of them time-sensitive. This checklist walks you through what needs to happen, roughly in order, from the first hours after a death through the weeks and months that follow. You don't have to do all of this alone, and you don't have to do it perfectly. This guide is here to help you know what comes next.
This article provides general information for US families and is not legal, financial, or medical advice. Laws and timelines vary by state. When in doubt, consult a licensed attorney, CPA, or financial advisor.
In the First Hours
Make the necessary notifications
- If the death is unexpected at home: Call 911. A medical examiner may be required to certify the cause of death before the body can be moved.
- If the death is expected at home under hospice: Call the hospice nurse first. They will declare the death and coordinate with the funeral home. Do not call 911 unless instructed to.
- If the death occurs in a hospital or care facility: Staff will notify you. Ask to speak with a social worker — they are trained to help with the immediate next steps.
Contact a funeral home
The funeral home will transport your loved one and begin the paperwork. If your loved one made pre-arrangements, locate those documents now. If not, you have time — you don't have to make every decision today. Our guide on how to choose a funeral home can help if you need to select one quickly.
Notify close family and friends
Reach out personally by phone to those closest to the deceased before posting anything publicly. Assign a trusted family member or friend to help make calls — you shouldn't have to carry this alone.
Within the First 24–72 Hours
- Secure the home. If the deceased lived alone, make sure the property is locked. Collect any pets and arrange for their care. See our guide on what happens to pets when someone dies.
- Locate important documents. You'll need the original will, any trust documents, insurance policies, Social Security card, birth certificate, and marriage certificate. Our guide on what documents to leave your family explains where people typically store these.
- Find the will. If you're unsure where it is, see how to find a will after someone dies. The will names the executor and outlines the deceased's wishes.
- Order death certificates. The funeral home files the official death certificate; order 10–15 certified copies. Each institution typically requires an original. See death certificate uses to estimate how many you need.
- Begin planning the funeral or memorial. This can feel overwhelming. Start with the basics: burial or cremation, service location, and a rough guest list. Our guides on how to plan a funeral and how to plan a memorial service walk you through every decision.
- Notify your employer. Check your company's bereavement leave policy. Most US employers offer three to five days of paid leave for immediate family members.
In the First Two Weeks
Legal and financial notifications
- Notify Social Security Administration. If the deceased received Social Security benefits, you must report the death promptly. Payments received in the month of death or after must be returned. Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or have the funeral home report it. Learn about Social Security death benefits you may be entitled to.
- Contact life insurance companies. Locate all policies and file claims with each insurer. Most companies pay within 30–60 days of a completed claim. See how to claim life insurance after death for a step-by-step breakdown, and how to find lost life insurance policies if you're unsure whether a policy exists.
- Notify banks and financial institutions. Bring a certified death certificate to each bank. Joint accounts typically transfer automatically; individual accounts will go through probate or transfer via beneficiary designation. See what happens to joint bank accounts after death.
- Contact the employer or pension provider. If the deceased was working, notify HR. If retired, contact the pension administrator about survivor benefits.
- Notify the DMV. If the deceased owned a vehicle, you will need to transfer the title. See what happens to a car when the owner dies.
- Stop recurring bills and subscriptions. Cancel or transfer utilities, subscriptions, and automatic payments. Our guide on stopping mail after death covers USPS holds and forwarding.
Begin the estate process
If the deceased had a will, the named executor should consult a probate attorney to open probate — the legal process of validating the will and distributing assets. If there was no will, the court will appoint an administrator and assets will pass under your state's intestate succession laws. Our full guide on the probate process explains what to expect, and how long probate takes varies widely by state and estate complexity.
In the First 1–3 Months
| Task | Who Handles It | Typical Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| File final income tax return | Executor / CPA | April 15 of the following year |
| Notify credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) | Executor or next of kin | As soon as possible |
| Cancel or transfer credit cards | Executor | Within 30–60 days |
| Transfer or sell real property | Executor / real estate attorney | During probate |
| Close or memorialize social media accounts | Family / digital executor | No strict deadline |
| Distribute personal belongings | Executor / family | After probate opens |
For personal property, our guide on what to do with belongings after death offers practical, compassionate advice. For digital accounts, see how to close accounts after death and what happens to social media accounts.
Through the First Year
The administrative work eventually winds down, but grief does not follow a schedule. Be patient with yourself and your family. A few things to keep in mind:
- Update your own estate plan. A death in the family often means beneficiary designations, powers of attorney, or your own will need updating. See when to update your will.
- Watch for grief anniversaries. Birthdays, holidays, and the anniversary of the death can be unexpectedly hard. Our guide on grief on the anniversary of a death offers support.
- Seek support if you need it. Grief is not a problem to solve — it is a process to move through. If you're struggling, see our resources on finding a grief counselor and grief support groups.