Losing someone you love is one of the hardest things a person can go through. In the middle of that pain, a long list of practical tasks suddenly appears — and it can feel completely overwhelming. This checklist is designed to cut through the confusion. It walks you through what actually needs to happen, roughly in the order it needs to happen, so you can focus your energy where it matters most.
This article is general information, not legal, financial, or medical advice. Laws and procedures vary by state. When in doubt, consult a licensed attorney, CPA, or other qualified professional.
In the First Few Hours
These steps happen on the day of the death — or very shortly after.
1. Get an Official Pronouncement of Death
A death must be legally pronounced by a qualified person before anything else can move forward.
- Hospice at home: Call the hospice nurse. They will come to the home, pronounce the death, and complete the initial paperwork.
- Unexpected home death: Call 911. Police and/or a medical examiner will respond.
- Hospital or nursing facility: Staff handles the pronouncement automatically.
2. Contact a Funeral Home
You do not have to call immediately — but within a few hours, you will need to arrange for the body to be transported. You are allowed to take time to choose. If you have no funeral home in mind, ask the hospital or hospice for a referral, or get recommendations from family. The funeral home will guide you through burial versus cremation decisions. See our guide on how to choose a funeral home if you need help evaluating options.
3. Notify Immediate Family and Close Friends
Call the people who need to hear this directly from you — don't let them find out through social media or secondhand. Designate someone you trust to help make calls if you are too overwhelmed to do it alone.
In the First Week
4. Locate the Will and Key Documents
Find the deceased's last will and testament as soon as possible. Check a home safe, filing cabinet, safe deposit box, or with their attorney. If you're unsure where to look, our guide on how to find a will after someone dies walks through the search process. You'll also want to gather:
- Birth certificate and Social Security card
- Marriage or divorce certificates (if applicable)
- Military discharge papers (DD-214), if a veteran
- Life insurance policies
- Recent tax returns and financial account statements
- Property deeds and vehicle titles
5. Order Death Certificates
The funeral home typically files the death certificate with the state vital records office and can order certified copies on your behalf. Order at least 8 to 12 certified copies. Most institutions — banks, insurance companies, the IRS — require an original certified copy, not a photocopy. Copies usually cost $10–$25 each depending on your state. It is almost always cheaper to over-order now than to reorder later. For more on how the process works, see how to get a death certificate.
6. Plan the Funeral or Memorial Service
Work with the funeral home to schedule the service. Key decisions include:
- Burial or cremation (see burial vs. cremation if you're weighing options)
- Type of service: funeral, graveside service, celebration of life, or memorial service
- Obituary and death notice
- Flowers, music, readings, and speakers
If cost is a concern, our guide on how to plan a funeral on a budget has practical ways to reduce expenses without sacrificing meaning.
7. Notify Key Government Agencies and Institutions
Do this within the first week if possible:
- Social Security Administration: Call 1-800-772-1213. If the deceased received benefits, payments must stop. Surviving spouses and dependents may be eligible for survivor benefits. See Social Security death benefits for details.
- Employer or pension administrator: Notify HR to stop payroll and inquire about pension survivor benefits.
- Life insurance companies: Begin the claims process. See how to claim life insurance after death.
- Veterans Affairs (if applicable): Veterans may be entitled to burial benefits, a grave marker, and a flag. See veteran funeral benefits.
In the First Month
8. Open Probate (If Required)
If the deceased owned assets solely in their name — real estate, bank accounts, investment accounts — those assets likely must go through probate before they can be transferred to heirs. To open probate, file the will with the probate court in the county where the deceased lived. The court will appoint an executor (or administrator, if there is no will) and issue Letters Testamentary, the official document that gives the executor authority to act. Read more in our probate process explained guide. Note: probate timelines vary widely — from a few months to over a year depending on the estate's complexity and your state's courts.
9. Secure and Inventory the Estate
The executor has a legal duty to protect estate assets. This means:
- Securing the home (change locks if needed)
- Continuing to pay the mortgage, utilities, and insurance to avoid lapses
- Creating a written inventory of all property, accounts, and valuables
- Notifying the homeowner's and auto insurance carriers of the death
Our settling an estate checklist goes deeper on these executor responsibilities.
10. Notify Financial Institutions and Close or Transfer Accounts
With certified death certificates in hand, contact every bank, brokerage, and credit card company. Joint accounts typically transfer automatically to the surviving owner. Accounts with a named beneficiary (POD — payable on death) also transfer without probate. Solely owned accounts require probate or a small estate affidavit. For a walkthrough, see how to close accounts after death.
11. Handle Ongoing Bills and the Final Tax Return
Continue paying legitimate bills from estate funds. The executor is responsible for filing the deceased's final federal income tax return (Form 1040) for the year of death, due April 15 of the following year. Large estates may also owe federal estate tax if the gross estate exceeds the current exemption threshold (over $13 million in 2024, though this is scheduled to change after 2025). Most estates owe no federal estate tax, but some states have lower thresholds. Consult a CPA or estate attorney.
Quick-Reference Timeline
| Timeframe | Key Tasks |
|---|---|
| Day of death | Pronouncement, funeral home contact, immediate family notification |
| Days 1–3 | Locate will, order death certificates, plan funeral/memorial |
| Days 3–7 | Notify Social Security, employer, life insurance; contact veterans' benefits if applicable |
| Weeks 2–4 | Open probate, secure estate, notify banks, stop mail and subscriptions |
| Months 1–12 | File final tax return, distribute assets, close estate |
Don't Forget Yourself
Grief doesn't follow a schedule. While you're working through this list, make sure someone is looking after you too. It's normal to feel exhausted, foggy, and emotionally raw while trying to manage practical tasks. Lean on family, accept help when it's offered, and don't hesitate to reach out to a grief counselor or support group. Our guide on how to cope with grief offers compassionate, evidence-based starting points.
You don't have to do everything at once. Most deadlines are measured in weeks and months, not hours. The tasks will get done. Take them one at a time.