What to Do When Someone Dies: Step-by-Step Guide
Losing someone you love is overwhelming. On top of grief, there are dozens of practical tasks that need attention, many with strict deadlines. This guide walks you through everything in chronological order so you know exactly what to do and when. If you want a personalized version based on your specific situation, start our free questionnaire.
Quick tip: Order at least 10 to 15 certified copies of the death certificate right away. You will need them for banks, insurance, Social Security, probate court, and more. Running out and ordering more later costs extra time and money.
1Immediately: The First 24 Hours
These are the most time-sensitive tasks. Focus on legal requirements and making basic arrangements.
Get a Legal Pronouncement of Death
If the person dies at home, call 911. Paramedics or a physician must legally pronounce the death. If the person was under hospice care, call the hospice nurse instead; they can pronounce death and will guide you through next steps. In a hospital or nursing home, staff handle this automatically.
Contact a Funeral Home
The funeral home will arrange transportation of the body. If the person had pre-arranged funeral plans, contact that specific funeral home. If not, you do not need to decide immediately on funeral details. Under the FTC Funeral Rule, funeral homes must provide itemized pricing over the phone. Get quotes from at least two or three before committing. The median cost of a funeral with burial is $8,300, so comparing prices can save thousands.
Secure the Home and Property
If the deceased lived alone, lock the home and secure valuables. Adjust the thermostat to prevent pipe damage. Collect mail to prevent it from piling up (a signal the home is empty). If there are pets, arrange immediate care. Do not throw anything away yet; documents, receipts, and personal papers may be needed for the estate.
Notify Immediate Family and Close Friends
Start with the closest family members and ask them to help spread the word. Consider designating one person as the point of contact to avoid repeating the news. Hold off on social media announcements until all close family has been told personally.
Locate Important Documents
Begin looking for the will, trust documents, life insurance policies, Social Security card, military discharge papers (DD-214), bank statements, and the most recent tax return. Check the home safe, filing cabinets, a safe deposit box, and with the person's attorney if they had one. These will be critical in the days ahead.
2First Week
Once immediate arrangements are handled, shift focus to official notifications and financial accounts.
Order Death Certificates
The funeral home typically files the death certificate with the state vital records office and can order certified copies for you. Order at least 10 to 15 copies. Costs range from $5 to $25 per copy depending on the state. You will need certified copies (not photocopies) for banks, insurance companies, the SSA, the DMV, investment firms, and probate court. Check your state guide for exact costs and where to order additional copies.
Notify Social Security Administration
Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778), available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM local time. The funeral home may report the death, but always verify. Any Social Security payments received for the month of death or later must be returned. If benefits were direct-deposited, the bank may need to return them. Eligible survivors can apply for the $255 lump-sum death payment and survivors benefits.
Notify the Employer
Contact the deceased's employer (or former employer if retired) to ask about final paychecks, accrued vacation pay, pension benefits, life insurance through work, and COBRA health insurance continuation. You have 60 days to elect COBRA coverage, but the deadline is strict.
Contact Banks and Financial Institutions
Notify every bank where the deceased held accounts. Joint accounts typically pass to the surviving owner. Individual accounts will be frozen until probate or a small estate affidavit is processed. Ask about any automatic payments coming from these accounts and request a list of recent transactions to identify recurring bills and subscriptions.
File Life Insurance Claims
Contact each life insurance company with the policy number and a certified death certificate. Most claims are paid within 30 to 60 days. Life insurance proceeds go directly to named beneficiaries, bypassing probate entirely. If you cannot find a policy but believe one exists, check with the employer, search old mail and email, or use the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator (free service).
Notify Veterans Affairs (If Applicable)
If the deceased was a veteran, call the VA at 1-800-827-1000 or visit our veterans benefits guide. Survivors may be eligible for burial benefits (up to $2,000 for service-connected death), a burial flag, a Presidential Memorial Certificate, and ongoing Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).
3First Month
With the most urgent tasks completed, turn your attention to legal processes, debts, and ongoing obligations.
Begin the Probate Process (If Needed)
If the deceased owned assets in their name alone (real estate, vehicles, investment accounts without beneficiaries), you will likely need to go through probate. File the will with the local probate court and petition to be appointed executor or personal representative. Many states offer simplified procedures for smaller estates. Check the state-specific threshold to see if a small estate affidavit applies.
Handle Debts and Creditors
Debts do not disappear when someone dies, but they are the responsibility of the estate, not the family (with limited exceptions). Do not pay any unsecured debts out of your own pocket. Creditors must file claims against the estate during the probate process. Read our complete guide to debt after death for details on credit cards, mortgages, medical debt, and student loans.
Cancel or Transfer Utilities and Services
Contact electricity, gas, water, internet, phone, and cable providers. If someone is still living in the home, transfer the accounts. If the home will be vacant, consider keeping utilities on at a minimal level to protect the property (especially heat in winter). Cancel streaming services, gym memberships, magazine subscriptions, and other recurring charges. Check bank and credit card statements for any automatic payments you might miss.
Address Health Insurance
If dependents were covered under the deceased's health plan, you have critical deadlines. COBRA allows continuation of employer coverage for up to 36 months, but you must elect within 60 days. A death also qualifies as a Special Enrollment Period for marketplace plans under the ACA. Read our health insurance after death guide for all your options.
Protect Against Identity Theft
Deceased individuals are frequent targets for identity theft. Notify the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) and request a "deceased alert" on the credit file. Contact the DMV to cancel the driver's license. If the person voted, notify the county election office. See our full identity protection guide.
Notify the Post Office
Submit a change of address form at USPS to forward the deceased's mail to the executor or a family member. This helps catch bills, financial statements, and correspondence you might otherwise miss. You can do this online at usps.com or at any post office.
4First 6 Months
Estate administration moves forward. Work with the probate court if applicable, settle debts, and prepare tax filings.
Inventory Estate Assets
If you are the executor, you must create a complete inventory of everything the deceased owned: real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, investment accounts, retirement accounts, personal property of significant value, business interests, and intellectual property. Get professional appraisals for real estate, jewelry, art, or collectibles. This inventory is filed with the probate court and used to determine estate value.
File the Final Tax Return
The deceased's final federal income tax return (Form 1040) is due on April 15 of the year following death. If the person was married, the surviving spouse can file a joint return for the year of death. If the estate earns income during administration (interest, rent, dividends), a separate estate income tax return (Form 1041) is also required. If the estate exceeds the federal estate tax exemption ($13.61 million in 2024), Form 706 must be filed within 9 months of death. See our estate tax guide for state-level thresholds.
Pay Valid Estate Debts
After the creditor claim period has expired (typically 3 to 6 months, varying by state), the executor pays valid debts from estate funds in the legally required priority order: funeral expenses and estate administration costs come first, followed by taxes, secured debts, and then unsecured debts. If the estate does not have enough to cover everything, some debts go unpaid. This is called an insolvent estate, and creditors cannot pursue the family for the difference (with narrow exceptions).
Handle Retirement Accounts
Inherited IRAs and 401(k) accounts have specific rules that changed significantly under the SECURE Act. Spouses have the most flexibility (can roll into their own IRA). Most non-spouse beneficiaries must empty inherited accounts within 10 years. There are exceptions for minor children, disabled beneficiaries, and beneficiaries close in age to the deceased. Read our retirement accounts guide for a detailed breakdown.
Transfer Vehicle Titles
Visit the state DMV with a certified death certificate, the vehicle title, and probate documents (Letters Testamentary or small estate affidavit) to transfer ownership. If the vehicle was jointly owned, the process is usually simpler. Continue insurance on the vehicle until it is sold or transferred. Check your state guide for DMV requirements.
5First Year and Beyond
The estate is winding down. Focus on final distributions, closing accounts, and your own well-being.
Distribute Assets to Beneficiaries
Once all debts, taxes, and expenses are paid, the executor distributes the remaining assets according to the will (or state intestacy laws if there is no will). Get receipts or signed releases from each beneficiary. If beneficiaries disagree, consider mediation before it escalates to litigation. The executor can be held personally liable for distributing assets before all debts are paid.
Close the Estate
File a final accounting with the probate court showing all income received, debts paid, and distributions made. Once approved, the court will formally close the estate and release the executor from further responsibility. Close any remaining bank accounts, cancel the EIN (Employer Identification Number) if one was obtained for the estate, and send final notifications to creditors.
Update Your Own Estate Plans
A death in the family often means your own will, trust, beneficiary designations, and powers of attorney need updating. If the deceased was named as your executor, guardian for your children, or beneficiary on your accounts, make those changes now. Review life insurance, retirement account beneficiaries, and TOD/POD designations on all financial accounts.
Seek Grief Support
The administrative burden of handling an estate can delay the grieving process. Once the practical tasks start to ease, many people find that grief hits harder. This is normal. Consider individual counseling, grief support groups, or online communities. The support and crisis resources page lists free and low-cost options, including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988, available 24/7).
Key Phone Numbers and Resources
Social Security Administration
1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778)
Mon-Fri, 8 AM to 7 PM local time
Veterans Affairs
1-800-827-1000
Mon-Fri, 8 AM to 9 PM ET
IRS (Estate/Gift Tax)
1-866-699-4083
Mon-Fri, 8 AM to 3:30 PM ET
NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator
eapps.naic.org/life-policy-locator
Free search for lost life insurance policies
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 (24/7)
Grief and emotional crisis support
Credit Bureaus (Deceased Alert)
Equifax: 1-800-685-1111
Experian: 1-888-397-3742
TransUnion: 1-800-916-8800
Important Forms You May Need
IRS Form 1040
Final individual income tax return
IRS Form 1041
Estate income tax return (if estate earns income)
IRS Form 706
Estate tax return (estates over $13.61M federal exemption)
SSA Form SSA-10
Application for lump-sum death payment
VA Form 21P-530
Application for burial benefits (veterans)
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Get Your Free Personalized GuideFrequently Asked Questions
What is the first thing you should do when someone dies?
If the person dies at home, call 911 (or the hospice nurse if they were under hospice care). Once death has been legally pronounced, contact a funeral home to arrange transport of the body. Then focus on securing the home, notifying close family, and locating important documents like the will and insurance policies.
How many death certificates should I order?
Order at least 10 to 15 certified copies. You will need them for banks, insurance companies, the Social Security Administration, the DMV, probate court, investment accounts, and more. Costs range from $5 to $25 per copy depending on the state.
Am I responsible for the deceased's debts?
Generally, no. Debts belong to the estate, not to family members. Creditors are paid from estate assets during probate. If the estate cannot cover all debts, some go unpaid. There are exceptions: you may be liable if you co-signed a loan, were a joint account holder, or are a surviving spouse in a community property state. See our debt after death guide for the full breakdown.
Do I need to go through probate?
Not always. Many assets pass outside probate entirely: joint accounts, life insurance, retirement accounts with named beneficiaries, TOD/POD accounts, and property in a living trust. Many states also offer simplified probate for small estates. Read our probate guide to understand your options.
What bills should I keep paying after someone dies?
Continue paying for essentials that protect estate assets: mortgage or rent (for occupied property), homeowners and car insurance, and utilities. Do not pay unsecured debts (credit cards, personal loans) from your own money. Those are paid from estate funds during probate.
Related Guides
Probate Guide
How probate works, when you can skip it, and what it costs in your state.
Social Security
Survivors benefits, the lump-sum death payment, and how to notify SSA.
Funeral Costs
Average funeral costs by type and practical ways to reduce expenses.
Debt After Death
Which debts must be paid from the estate and which can be discharged.