What To Do When Someone Dies: The Complete Checklist

Obtain a legal pronouncement of death

If the death occurs at home, call 911 (or the non-emergency line if expected and hospice is involved). A hospital or hospice will handle this automatically. You will need this before anything else can proceed.

Contact a funeral home or mortuary to arrange transport

If the person was an organ or tissue donor, notify the relevant organization immediately. The funeral home can guide you through next steps even if you have not made any decisions yet.

Notify immediate family members and close friends

Consider designating one person as the point of contact to help spread the word, so you do not have to repeat the news. A brief phone tree or group message can help.

Locate the will, trust, or advance directive if available

Check the home safe, filing cabinets, safe deposit boxes, or with the family attorney. If a funeral pre-arrangement exists, the funeral home may have a copy on file.

Secure the home if the deceased lived alone

Lock doors and windows, adjust the thermostat to prevent pipe damage, remove perishable food, and arrange for someone to collect the mail. Let a trusted neighbor know.

Begin collecting important documents

Gather identification (driver's license, passport, Social Security card), insurance policies, property deeds, vehicle titles, and recent financial statements. You will need these repeatedly in the coming weeks.

Obtain certified copies of the death certificate (10-15 copies recommended)

The funeral home usually orders these from the county vital records office. Many banks, insurers, and government agencies require an original certified copy, not a photocopy. The SSA recommends having at least 10 copies on hand.

Contact the Social Security Administration to report the death

Call SSA to report the death and inquire about survivor benefits, the one-time lump-sum death payment ($255), and whether any benefits need to be returned. In many cases, the funeral home can report the death on your behalf.

Notify the employer or former employer

Contact the HR department to ask about final paychecks, accrued vacation pay, pensions, 401(k) accounts, life insurance through work, and any other benefits owed to survivors.

Contact life insurance companies with policy numbers

Gather all policy numbers and call each insurer to begin the claims process. They will tell you exactly what documentation is needed. This can often be done before probate.

Arrange funeral, memorial service, or celebration of life

Work with the funeral home to plan the service according to the wishes of the deceased (if known) or the family. Check for any pre-arranged or pre-paid funeral plans that may already be in place.

Write and submit the obituary

Draft the obituary for local newspapers, online platforms, and the funeral home website. Include key biographical details, surviving family members, and service information.

Notify the post office to forward mail

File a change-of-address form at the post office or online at USPS.com to forward the deceased's mail to a responsible party. This helps ensure important correspondence is not missed.

Contact banks and financial institutions

Notify each bank, brokerage firm, and retirement account custodian. Ask about joint accounts, beneficiary designations, required documentation, and any automatic payments that need to be redirected.

Notify credit card companies

Contact each credit card issuer to close or transfer accounts. Request final statements. Per the FTC, you are generally not personally responsible for a deceased person's credit card debt unless you are a co-signer or joint account holder.

File for life insurance benefits

Submit claim forms along with a certified copy of the death certificate to each insurance company. Most insurers process claims within 30 to 60 days.

Contact the mortgage company or landlord

Notify them of the death and discuss options. For homeowners, ask about mortgage assumption or payoff. For renters, review the lease terms regarding early termination or transfer.

Cancel or transfer utility accounts

Contact electric, gas, water, internet, phone, and trash service providers. Transfer to a remaining household member or cancel if the home will be vacated.

Notify health insurance (Medicare: 1-800-633-4227)

Contact private health insurance to cancel coverage. For Medicare, call 1-800-633-4227 (TTY 1-877-486-2048). Settle any outstanding claims or premiums.

Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles

Transfer or cancel vehicle registration and return license plates if required by your state. Each state has different requirements, so check your local DMV website.

Notify the voter registration office

Contact your local county election office or Secretary of State to remove the deceased from voter registration rolls.

Consult with an attorney about probate (if applicable)

If the deceased had a will, real estate, or significant assets, an estate attorney can guide you through the probate process in your state. Many offer free initial consultations. The process varies significantly by jurisdiction.

File claims for veteran benefits (if applicable)

The VA provides burial benefits (up to $2,000 for service-related deaths), headstones or markers, and survivor benefits (DIC). Call the VA or visit va.gov/survivors to learn what you may be eligible for.

Review and update beneficiary designations on your own accounts

This experience is a powerful reminder. Take time to review and update the beneficiary designations on your own retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and bank accounts.

Cancel subscriptions and memberships

Review bank and credit card statements for recurring charges. Cancel gym memberships, magazine subscriptions, streaming services, meal kits, software licenses, and any other ongoing services.

Return rented or leased equipment

Return any rented medical equipment (hospital beds, oxygen), leased vehicles, or borrowed items such as library books.

File the deceased's final tax return

The final federal income tax return (Form 1040) is due by April 15 of the year following the death. If the deceased was married, the surviving spouse may file a joint return for that year. See IRS Publication 559 for detailed guidance. Write "DECEASED" across the top of the return.

Request memorialization of Facebook account

You can request that Facebook memorialize the account (adding 'Remembering' before their name) or have it permanently deleted. You will need proof of death such as a death certificate or obituary.

Set up Google Inactive Account Manager or request account deletion

Google's Inactive Account Manager lets you decide what happens to your account after a period of inactivity. For a deceased person's account, you can submit a request through Google Support with appropriate documentation.

Close or memorialize other social media (Instagram, Twitter/X, LinkedIn)

Each platform has its own process. Instagram follows Facebook's memorialization policy. Twitter/X and LinkedIn require a verified death certificate or official proof. Check each platform's help center for current instructions.

Update or cancel email accounts

Before closing an email account, set up an auto-reply to inform contacts, and forward important correspondence. Check for password reset emails that may be needed for other accounts. Download any important attachments.

Cancel streaming services (Netflix, Spotify, etc.)

Check for active streaming subscriptions including Netflix, Spotify, Apple Music, Hulu, Disney+, YouTube Premium, Audible, and any others. Cancel each to prevent ongoing charges.

Transfer domain names and websites if applicable

If the deceased owned domain names or websites, transfer registration to a family member using the domain registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains, etc.) or let them expire if no longer needed.

Download and preserve photos from cloud services

Before closing any accounts, download photos and videos from iCloud, Google Photos, Amazon Photos, Dropbox, and any other cloud storage. These memories may be irreplaceable. Use bulk download tools when available.

Set up a digital memorial to preserve their story permanently

A digital memorial provides a permanent, living tribute where family and friends can share photos, stories, and memories. Unlike social media profiles, a memorial is designed to last and be contributed to by the whole family.

Consider grief counseling or support groups

Programs like GriefShare.org offer group sessions in thousands of communities. Many hospice organizations provide free bereavement support. A licensed therapist who specializes in grief can also provide personalized support.

Update your own estate plan based on what you have learned

Going through this process gives you unique insight into how important estate planning is. Update your own will, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and beneficiary designations.

Create or maintain a digital memorial that family can contribute to

A shared, ongoing memorial gives your family a place to return to. Invite relatives to add their own photos, stories, and memories to build a richer portrait of the person you have lost.

Plan for anniversaries and holidays

The first birthday, anniversary, and holiday season can be especially difficult. Having a plan, whether it is a small gathering, a charitable donation, or simply allowing yourself space to grieve, can make those days more manageable.

Organize and preserve photos, letters, and memorabilia

Gather physical photos, letters, military records, awards, and keepsakes. Consider digitizing them with a scanner or a smartphone scanning app to preserve them for future generations. Store originals in acid-free containers.