What to Do When Someone Dies: A Step-by-Step Checklist
Planning AheadWhen someone dies, the immediate steps are getting a legal pronouncement of death, notifying close family, and arranging care of the body. In the first week, you'll arrange the funeral, secure the home, and get certified copies of the death certificate. In the weeks that follow, you'll notify Social Security, banks, insurers, and credit bureaus, and begin settling the estate. This checklist walks through each stage.
Key Facts
- Death certificates to order
- Most families need 10–15 certified copies for banks, insurers, and agencies
- Who to notify first
- Social Security Administration (1-800-772-1213); often the funeral home reports the death
- Credit bureaus
- Notify Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to prevent identity theft
- Typical timeframe for estate settling
- Probate commonly takes several months to over a year, depending on the state and estate
- Free help
- The Social Security 'blue book' benefits and funeral-planning guides are available at no cost
A Note Before the Checklist
If you are reading this because someone you love has just died, we are sorry. This is one of the hardest things a person goes through, and the practical to-do list can feel cruel in its timing. Take it one step at a time. Almost nothing on this list has to be done in the first hour.
Lean on other people. Funeral directors handle these situations every day and can guide you through much of it. Friends and family want to help — let them make calls, bring food, and sit with you.
This checklist is organized by timeframe so you always know what actually needs attention now versus what can wait. Print it, or share it with whoever is helping you.
The First Few Hours
Get a legal pronouncement of death. If your loved one died in a hospital or care facility, the staff handles this. If they died at home under hospice care, call the hospice nurse. If the death was unexpected and at home, call 911, and emergency personnel will guide you.
Notify immediate family and a few close friends. You do not have to call everyone — ask one or two people to help spread the word so you are not making the same painful call dozens of times.
Arrange for care and transport of the body. If a funeral home was already chosen, call them. If not, you can take time to decide; the hospital or hospice can hold the body or refer you to a funeral home. If your loved one was an organ donor or wished to donate their body, act quickly, as these decisions are time-sensitive.
The First Week
Arrange the funeral or memorial. If there was a prepaid plan or written wishes, follow them. The funeral home will help you order certified copies of the death certificate — order more than you think you need, usually 10 to 15, because banks, insurers, and government agencies each require an original.
Secure your loved one's home. Bring in mail, arrange for pets, and keep the property looking occupied if it will be empty. Sadly, obituaries can attract burglars, so avoid publicizing an empty home and address.
Locate important documents: the will, life insurance policies, deeds, bank and investment statements, and any letter of instruction. If you cannot find a will, check with their attorney, safe deposit box, or trusted family members.
Sources: Social Security Administration; FTC identity-theft guidance; general estate-administration practice.
The First Few Weeks
Notify Social Security. In many cases the funeral home reports the death, but confirm it was done. If your loved one received Social Security benefits, the payment for the month of death and later must generally be returned, and surviving spouses or dependents may be eligible for survivor benefits. Call 1-800-772-1213.
Notify financial institutions and insurers. Contact banks, credit card companies, mortgage and loan servicers, and life insurance companies. File any life insurance claims — you'll need a certified death certificate. Contact employers or former employers about pensions, 401(k)s, and any final pay or benefits.
Notify the three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — to flag the account as deceased and prevent identity theft, which unfortunately targets the recently deceased. Cancel or transfer utilities, subscriptions, and memberships as needed.
The Months That Follow
Settle the estate. If there is a will, it typically goes through probate, a court-supervised process that validates the will and oversees distribution of assets. The named executor leads this. If there is no will, the court appoints an administrator and state law determines distribution. Probate commonly takes several months to over a year.
Consider whether you need help. For a simple estate, you may manage on your own. For a larger or more complex estate — real estate, business interests, family disagreements — an estate attorney is often worth the cost. Many offer a free initial consultation.
Finally, give yourself grace. The administrative work is real, but so is your grief. It is normal for these tasks to take months, and it is okay to move at your own pace. Ask for help, take breaks, and remember that caring for yourself is part of the process too.
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How many death certificates should I order?
Most families need 10 to 15 certified copies. Each bank, life insurance company, brokerage, and government agency typically requires its own original certified copy. It is easier and cheaper to order enough up front than to request more later. The funeral home usually helps you order them.
Who do I need to notify when someone dies?
Key parties include the Social Security Administration, the person's bank and financial institutions, life insurance companies, employer or pension plan, the three credit bureaus, and utility and subscription services. The funeral home often reports the death to Social Security, but confirm it was done.
What is probate and how long does it take?
Probate is the court-supervised process of validating a will and distributing a deceased person's assets. The executor named in the will leads it. Timeframes vary widely by state and estate complexity, but it commonly takes several months to more than a year. Simple estates may qualify for a faster, simplified process.
What should I do first when a loved one dies at home?
If they were under hospice care, call the hospice nurse, who will handle the pronouncement of death. If the death was unexpected, call 911. Once the death is legally pronounced, you can notify close family and arrange for care of the body through a funeral home. Very little has to happen in the first hour.