I’m very sorry for your loss. Here is a clear, compassionate checklist of what to take care of after someone dies, organized in stages so it’s not overwhelming. Please feel free to reach out to Senior Management Services for support as you go through this process. 

Immediate Tasks (First 24–72 Hours) 

1. Get Legal Pronouncement of Death

• If death occurred in a hospital, nursing home, or hospice, staff will handle this.
• If at home, call 911 unless the person was under hospice care. Hospice can pronounce the death.

2. Notify Close Family and Friends

• Consider identifying one person to help spread the word.

3. Arrange Transport to a Funeral Home

• Contact the funeral home or cremation service you plan to use.
• If pre-planning was done, follow the documented wishes.

Within the First Week

4. Secure the Home and Property

• Lock doors, safeguard valuables.
• If they lived alone, pick up mail, care for pets, water plants.

5. Locate Important Documents

Try to gather:

• Will or trust documents
• Advance directives
• Birth/marriage certificates
• Social Security card
• Insurance policies
• Financial records
• Password list if available

6. Plan Funeral, Memorial, or Cremation

• Choose burial or cremation.
• Decide on service type and location.
• Draft obituary (optional).
• Coordinate with religious leaders if applicable.

7. Notify Employer (if applicable)

• Ask about final paycheck, life insurance, retirement benefits.

First 2–4 Weeks

8. Obtain Death Certificates

• Order 10–15 certified copies (you’ll need these for banks, insurance, etc.).

9. Contact Key Agencies & Organizations

• Social Security Administration
  • Stop benefits
  • Apply for survivor benefits (if eligible)
• Veterans Affairs, if the person was a veteran
• Pension administrators
• Life insurance companies

10. Begin Estate Administration

If there is a will:

• The named executor contacts the probate court to open the estate.

If there is no will:

• A family member petitions the court to become the estate administrator.

Executor/administrator responsibilities include:

• Opening an estate bank account
• Inventorying assets
• Paying debts and taxes
• Distributing assets

Financial & Legal Responsibilities

11. Notify Banks and Credit Card Companies

• Close accounts or transfer as directed by the estate.
• Stop automatic payments.

12. Cancel or Transfer

• Driver’s license
• Voter registration
• Utilities (if residence will be vacant)
• Cell phone plans
• Subscriptions
• Club memberships

13. Manage Income and Taxes

• Final income tax return (IRS Form 1040)
• Estate tax return if required
• Notify CPA or tax preparer

Digital Assets and Accounts

14. Close or Memorialize Online Accounts

• Email accounts
• Social media (Facebook memorialization, etc.)
• Online banking
• Cloud storage
• Digital photos and files

15. Stop Mail and Prevent Identity Theft

• Forward mail through USPS
• Notify credit bureaus of death
• Consider placing a “deceased” alert on credit reports

Longer-Term Considerations

16. Distribute Personal Belongings

• Follow instructions in the will.
• Use a professional appraiser for valuable items.

17. Grief Support

• Local grief groups
• Hospice bereavement programs
• Individual therapy