In the midst of loss, you're often expected to make decisions, notify people, and handle a flood of practical tasks. It can feel overwhelming to know where to start. This guide is here to help. Below, you'll find a step-by-step checklist of what to do when someone dies—offering clarity, support, and a place to begin when everything feels uncertain. Take what’s helpful, skip what’s not, and know you’re not alone. If you have any questions about any of these steps or others, text your support member.
Immediate Arrangements (within 1-3 days)
- Get a legal pronouncement of death (usually from the doctor, nurse, or coroner)
- Contact the funeral home, crematory, or medical donation services for the body
- Find and review any End-of-Life Documents (will, trust, burial preferences)
- Look into veteran burial benefits (if applicable)
- Arrange care for pets and dependents
- Secure their home and property
- Notify close family and friends
- Inform their employer (ask about last paycheck & benefits)
Within 1-2 Weeks
- Make memorial and funeral arrangements
- Funeral Home can help with:
- Decide whether to write an obituary - the funeral provider can usually create a first draft
- Request multiple copies of the death certificate (5-8 recommended - these will take a couple weeks to come in)
- Notify Social Security and Veterans Affairs (if applicable - the funeral home can help with this)
Within 1-2 Months
Estate & Legal Affairs
- Start settling the estate (check for a will or contact probate court)
- Inform key institutions of the death:
- Social Security
- Veterans Affairs
- DMV
- Voter Registration
- Credit Bureaus
- Life Insurance
- Banks and Financial Advisors
Bills, Insurance & Accounts
- Speak with the estate executor or attorney before paying anything-- but make a list of ongoing bills:
- Mortgage
- Utilities
- Subscriptions
- Internet & Cable
- Phone
- Car
- Insurance
- Taxes
- Credit cards
- School Loans
- Medical Debt
- Keep essential services (like home insurance, utilities) active until home is transferred or sold
- Let creditors know about the death — many will pause billing
- Identify and contact insurance companies (home, auto, health, life, etc.)
- Cancel unused or auto-charged services
- Close credit cards and destroy physical cards
Digital Accounts & Communication
- Forward their mail (via USPS)
- Begin email account access process (check provider policies for Gmail, Outlook, etc.)
- Deactivate or memorialize social media accounts
- Facebook: Request to Memorialize or Remove an Account
- Instagram: Report a Deceased Person’s Account
- TikTok: Contact feedback@tiktok.com
- X (formerly Twitter): How to contact X about a deceased family member's account
Property & Personal Belongings
- Begin organizing a plan for cleaning out the home
- Secure important documents or valuables
- Make notes of what needs to be addressed, but take your time — there's no rush
Remember, you don’t have to do everything at once. Take it one step at a time, lean on others when you can, and give yourself grace. You’re not alone. If you have any quesitons, text your family support member.
