What To Do When Someone Dies – Checklist Guide

When someone we love or someone from our family passes away, the world feels quiet and confusing at that time. In those sad moments it is very normal to feel lost and not to know what to do next. A “what to do when someone dies checklist” can help by giving you clear steps so you don’t have to remember everything at once.

The guide explains everything that is important to do after someone dies. We will explain everything about every state and also give you step by step guidance so that you can focus on saying goodbye and handle things calmly.

What To Do When Someone Dies – Step By Step Checklist

Lets have a step by step checklist for what to do when someone dies

Get A Legal Pronouncement Of Death

The first thing to do when someone passes away is to get official proof that they have died. The process is called the legal confirmation of the death. If the person passes away in the hospital are the nursing home then the staff is responsible to take care of it for you. But if the person dies at home then you have to call 911 or the doctor. After this, you will get an official death certificate. That shows the person died at this time and due to this reason. You will need that letter for later in future as well so keep it with other important document

Notify Immediate Family And Friends

After the death is confirmed, the next thing you have to do is call the friends and family to inform them about the death. You don’t have to do it alone, you can also call or ask someone to make the calls informed the friends and family. You just need to write a simple message to inform them with the funeral ceremony or whatever you have chosen.

Secure The Home And Belongings

If the person lives alone Make sure they’re home and belongings are safe. For that you have to lock the house in their car also take care of their pets and plants and keep their valuable things and safe place, this will prevent the theft and any loss during the hard time

Contact A Funeral Home

Next, contact a funeral home to transport the body and plan arrangements. The funeral home will help you with the burial commission planning also providing the death certificate copies and the final arrangements.

Check For Preplanned Funeral Wishes

Some people leave funeral instructions in their will order a written plan. Look for that what are their prepaid contracts, what they want in their funeral and what is their wish for a burial or cremation. If there is no plan and the family members have to plan and arrange the funeral in their own way.

Informed Key People And Organisations

Notify the following within the first few days

  • Employer, if applicable
  • Landlord or mortgage company
  • Insurance companies
  • Banks and credit card companies
  • Social Security administration if in the US
  • Veterans affairs if applicable

Take Care Of Financial And Legal Matters

Once the funeral is over, focus on handling the person’s estate

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You will need to locate the will or the trust documents, also you have to contact the lawyer and notify the bank for the credit card usage and if there is any automatic payment just stop it right away. If there is any automatic payment just stop it right away. If there is no will then its all on the family to do what they want. 

Handle Property And Bills

Until the estate is settled, make sure to manage the home loan payment or any other rent payments and also look after the utility bills and insurance premiums if any. Make sure to keep all the bills in one folder for easy tracking later in future.

Notify Government Agencies

If the person who passed away lived in the United States, it is important to report their death to the right government offices. This will help close their records and avoid any problems later. Let’s have a look at what to do.

Social Security Administration Ssa

You have to inform the Social Security administration so that they can stop any payments and check if family members can get survivor benefits

Irs Internal Revenue Service

You also have to tell IRS, you will need to handle their final tax return

Department Of Motor Vehicles Dmw

Contact department of motor vehicles to cancel the persons driver license

State Vital Records Office

You may need to request extra copies of the death certificate for official paperwork.

Cancel Or Transfer Accounts 

You have to make sure not to forget to take care of the person’s online and digital accounts. This includes things like their email, their social media accounts, and any online subscriptions like Netflix or Amazon. You have also contacted the mobile company to close their phone contract and reach out to the bank or investment platforms to manage or close their online accounts. Some websites even let you set up a legacy contact or create a memorial page to remember and order the person who has passed away

Manage The Estate And Inheritance

The executor of the will handle the estate. Their job includes.

  • Being remaining debts
  • Distributing property and money to heirs
  • Closing account

Plan A Memorial Or Celebration Of Life

A memorial or celebration of life is a special way to honour your loved ones memory you can include their favourite music, poem, or story. You can also add the photos and videos. It is best to add the personal messages from friends and family to the funeral.

Take Care Of Yourself And Others

Grief can be overwhelming, remember to rest, eat, and talk to people you trust. Consider joining a grief support group, especially in the first few months. Healing takes time, be patient and kind to yourself.

You can also get the help from insure guardian to get insurance and funeral plans

Printable What To Do When Someone Dies Checklist

Summary, what to do When someone dies checklist PDF you can also print it. 

  • Get a legal pronouncement of death
  • Notify family and close friends
  • Secured the home and belongings
  • Contact a funeral home
  • Checked for preplanned funeral wishes
  • Notify employers, banks, and insurance
  • Locate will and contact the lawyer
  • Manage bills and utilities
  • Notify government offices
  • Cancel or transfer accounts
  • Manage estate and inheritance
  • Plan memorial service
  • Take care of yourself

Final Thoughts

It is very hard to find the things, manage each and everything when someone dies and if you are the only person in the family then it will become more difficult for you, so for that we have provided you the checklist what to do when someone dies, and this checklist will help you in so many ways so that you can manage all the things very easy. You just have to make sure to be relaxed and calm in this situation and also be organised. So that you can manage things very well.

Insure Guardian is always here to guide you every step of the way. From final expense insurance to funeral plans, you can talk to the agent and get the best quotes today!

FAQS

Yes, there is. What to do when someone dies checklist that will help you to take the steps after someone passes away. This checklist includes so many things for informing the clothes ones to arrange the funeral. You will get guidance at each step.

First, get official confirmation of death and the death certificate. Next, you have to inform the close family and friends then contact important offices like Social Security banks and insurance companies. After that plan the funeral and take care of bills, accounts, and benefits.

If you need to tell others about the death, you have to keep your words very simple and very kind. And just write down the details of the person with the death news you can also offer gentle messages of sympathy and support to the family

By choosing a funeral home and talking with the funeral director. Decide if you want a burial or cremation. Choose a date, place, and type of service. You can also pick flowers, music and who will speak. Make sure to inform friends and family about the arrangements.