Checklist: What to do when someone dies

Use this checklist to guide you through losing a loved one — from the initial moments to the first few weeks

You've just lost a loved one. You're consumed by grief and can't think what to do next. Use this outline to walk through what to do when someone dies, step-by-step, and keep track of where you are in the process with this FREE downloadable checklist.

Immediately

Who to call first

• Local law enforcement: should be contacted when someone dies and the death was due to unknown circumstances or not witnessed.

• Attending physician, a coroner, or medical examiner: will be needed to legally pronounce the death. If the deceased is in a hospital or other care facility, the staff will arrange this step.

• Next of kin or a legal representative of the deceased: to notify of the deceased’s passing and to learn whether the deceased had a prearranged funeral plan. If a plan exists, it will give direction on how to proceed with funeral arrangements.

• Funeral director: to transfer the body from the place of death to a funeral home or crematory. 

Information to provide during first calls

• Full name of the deceased

• Deceased’s address and phone number

• Time of death

• Facility name, address, and phone number of current location of the body

• Attending physician’s name and phone number

• Your name, address, and phone number

• Your relationship to the deceased

Who to notify next

• Close family and friends: ask them to notify others

• Employer of deceased: if applicable

• Insurance agents: if applicable

• Attorney, accountant, and executer of estate

First week after death

• Arrange care for deceased’s dependents and pets

• Start planning a funeral (For a detailed checklist, read How to Plan a Funeral Step-by-Step)

• Gather information for obituary and documents:

  • Full legal name, address, and phone number of the deceased
  • Social Security number
  • Religious name (if any)
  • Date and place of birth
  • Marital status
  • Name of spouse (if married)
  • Spouse’s maiden name (if wife)
  • Father’s name and birthplace
  • Mother’s name, birthplace, and maiden name
  • Full names, addresses, and phone numbers of all children, grandchildren, etc.
  • Veteran’s serial/service number (if served in the military)
  • Date and place of military service
  • Date of military discharge
  • How long lived at current residence and former residences
  • Highest level of education completed
  • Occupation, job title, nature of work, and employment history
  • Current employer’s name, address, and phone number
  • Place obituary in newspaper or online

• Locate documents and prepare paperwork ​(For a complete list of paperwork, read Forms You Need to Complete after a Person Dies)

  • Birth certificate/legal proof of age
  • Social Security card
  • Citizenship papers (if not born in the United States)
  • Marriage license (if married)
  • Veteran’s discharge certificate (if served in the military)
  • Insurance policies (health, Term Life, Final Expense, Preneed, accident, property, and auto)
  • Disability claims
  • Financial records
  • Account statements
  • Bank books
  • Stock and bond certificates
  • Business licenses
  • Cemetery deed or proof of ownership
  • Income tax returns, receipts, and canceled checks
  • Meet with lawyer to discuss estate planning documents, such as a will or trust

• Notify:

  • Remaining family and friends
  • Church
  • Religious, fraternal, civic organizations, and unions

10 days and beyond

• After receiving death certificate, notify:

  • Social Security Administration
  • Veterans Administration
  • Credit card companies
  • The bank of the deceased
  • Pension providers
  • Mortgage companies and lenders
  • Financial planners and stockholders

• Pay bills for:

  • Estate/inheritance taxes
  • Funeral costs
  • Cemetery expenses
  • Hospital/nursing home bills
  • Current and urgent bills (mortgage)
  • Clean and sort through loved one’s home

• Locate documents and prepare paperwork

  • Property deeds
  • Auto titles or bills of sale
  • Beneficiary designations

• ​Find a grief support group or counselor to help cope with the pain of loss
• ​Be on the alert for bereavement scams (read How to Avoid Bereavement Scams after a Loved One Dies).

Download a FREE checklist to keep track of your progress.

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