Master Checklist: Everything to Do When Someone Dies

A comprehensive, step-by-step checklist organized by timeline. This covers everything from the first hours through the first year and beyond.

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Immediately (First 24 Hours)

These are the most time-sensitive tasks. Focus only on what is absolutely necessary right now.

Obtain a legal pronouncement of deathImportant

If the death occurred at home, call 911 or the hospice nurse. A doctor, coroner, or medical examiner must officially pronounce the death before anything else can proceed.

Contact a funeral homeImportant

The funeral home will transport the body, help with death certificate paperwork, and guide you through options. You do not need to use the first one you call. Ask about pricing upfront; the FTC Funeral Rule requires itemized prices.

Notify immediate family and close friends

Let the people closest to the deceased know what has happened. Consider designating one person to spread the word so you are not making dozens of calls.

Secure the home and property

If the deceased lived alone, make sure their home is locked and secure. Collect mail, check for pets, and ensure nothing is left unattended.

Locate important documents

Look for the will, trust documents, life insurance policies, financial account information, Social Security card, birth certificate, marriage certificate, military discharge papers (DD-214), and safe deposit box keys.

Contact the employer if applicable

If the deceased was employed, notify their employer. Ask about final wages, unused vacation pay, group life insurance, retirement accounts, and any death benefits.

First Week

After the most urgent matters are handled, these tasks should be addressed within the first few days.

Order death certificatesImportant

Order 10 to 15 certified copies through the funeral home or your state vital records office. You will need them for banks, insurance companies, Social Security, the DMV, and other institutions.

Plan the funeral or memorial service

Decide on burial, cremation, or other arrangements. Review any pre-planned funeral instructions. The funeral home will walk you through the process and timeline.

Notify Social Security AdministrationImportant

Call 1-800-772-1213 to report the death. The funeral home may do this as well. Any Social Security payments received after the date of death must be returned. Ask about the $255 lump-sum death payment and survivors benefits.

Contact life insurance companies

If the deceased had life insurance, contact each carrier to start the claims process. Life insurance proceeds go directly to named beneficiaries and are generally not subject to probate or income tax.

Notify the bank and financial institutions

Contact all banks, credit unions, and investment firms. Joint accounts may need to be updated. Individual accounts will typically be frozen until probate is resolved or a small estate affidavit is filed.

File for veterans benefits if applicable

Call the VA at 1-800-827-1000. Veterans may qualify for burial benefits (free national cemetery plot, headstone, burial allowance), survivor pensions, and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for service-connected deaths.

Notify the post office

Submit a change of address or hold mail request at the local post office to prevent mail theft and ensure important correspondence is received.

First Month

These tasks require some of the initial paperwork to be in place. Work through them as death certificates become available.

File the will with the probate courtImportant

In most states, the will must be filed with the local probate court within 30 days of death, even if you do not plan to go through formal probate. Contact the court to learn the specific filing requirements in your state.

Apply for Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration

These court documents give the executor (or administrator, if there is no will) legal authority to act on behalf of the estate. You will need them to access bank accounts, sell property, and pay debts.

Notify creditors and handle incoming bills

Contact credit card companies, mortgage lenders, auto lenders, and other creditors. Debts are generally owed by the estate, not by family members personally (with some exceptions for spouses in community property states).

Address health insurance changesImportant

If anyone was covered under the deceased person's health insurance, explore COBRA (up to 36 months of continued coverage) or enroll through the healthcare marketplace during your 60-day Special Enrollment Period.

Transfer or cancel vehicle titles

Contact your state DMV to transfer vehicle ownership. You will need a death certificate and possibly Letters Testamentary. Update or cancel auto insurance on any vehicles.

Cancel or transfer subscriptions and memberships

Go through bank and credit card statements to identify recurring charges. Cancel subscriptions, gym memberships, streaming services, and other automatic payments.

Protect the deceased from identity theft

Request a "deceased" alert from all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). This prevents anyone from opening new accounts in the deceased person's name.

Notify government agencies

Beyond Social Security, notify Medicare (if applicable), the IRS, the DMV, the passport office, and any state agencies that issued licenses or benefits.

First 6 Months

These tasks involve larger financial and legal matters that take time to resolve.

Manage probate proceedings

Work with the probate court and any attorneys to move the estate through probate. This includes inventorying assets, notifying creditors, paying valid debts, and preparing for distribution to beneficiaries.

File the final income tax returnImportant

A final Form 1040 must be filed for the tax year in which the person died, covering income from January 1 through the date of death. The surviving spouse or executor is responsible for filing. The standard filing deadline (April 15) applies.

Handle retirement accounts

Contact plan administrators for any 401(k), IRA, pension, or other retirement accounts. Beneficiaries need to understand their distribution options under the SECURE Act, which generally requires inherited IRAs to be fully distributed within 10 years.

Address the mortgage

If the deceased had a mortgage, continue making payments to avoid foreclosure. Federal law (Garn-St. Germain Act) protects heirs from the "due on sale" clause when inheriting a property. Contact the lender to discuss your options.

Update property deeds and titles

Work with a title company or attorney to transfer real estate ownership. This may require recording a new deed with the county recorder, along with a death certificate and any relevant court documents.

Handle medical debt

Review all medical bills carefully. Request itemized statements and check for errors. Medical debt is owed by the estate, not by family members in most cases. Many hospitals offer financial hardship programs or will negotiate reduced amounts.

Apply for survivor benefitsImportant

Surviving spouses and dependent children may be eligible for Social Security survivors benefits. The amount depends on the deceased person's work history and earnings record. Apply as soon as possible since some benefits are not retroactive.

First Year

These longer-term tasks typically require earlier steps to be completed first.

File the estate tax return if required

The federal estate tax return (Form 706) is due 9 months after the date of death. It is only required for estates exceeding $13.61 million. Some states have lower thresholds for their own estate tax. A 6-month extension is available, but any tax owed accrues interest.

File the estate income tax return

If the estate earned income during administration (interest, dividends, rental income), Form 1041 must be filed. This is separate from the deceased person's final personal income tax return.

Distribute assets to beneficiaries

Once debts and taxes are paid and the court approves (if probate is required), distribute remaining assets according to the will or state intestacy laws. Get receipts from each beneficiary.

Close the estate

File a final accounting with the probate court showing all assets, debts paid, and distributions made. Request a formal order closing the estate. This releases the executor from further liability.

Close remaining accounts

Close any bank accounts, email accounts, and social media profiles that are no longer needed. Some platforms (Facebook, Google) allow you to memorialize an account instead of deleting it.

Ongoing

These items do not have a fixed deadline but should be addressed when you are ready.

Consider professional grief support

Grief does not follow a timeline. If you are struggling, consider therapy, a support group, or a grief counselor. Many employers offer free sessions through Employee Assistance Programs (EAP). The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7.

Review your own estate plan

A death in the family often changes your own financial picture. Update your will, beneficiary designations, insurance policies, and power of attorney documents to reflect your new circumstances.

Monitor for fraudulent activity

Continue checking the deceased person's credit reports for at least a year. Identity thieves often target obituaries to find personal information. Report any suspicious activity to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov.

Keep permanent records

Store copies of the death certificate, will, probate documents, tax returns, and financial records in a safe place. Some documents may be needed years later for legal or tax purposes.

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