What to do when someone dies: one step at a time

Obtain a legal pronouncement of death

A doctor, or a hospice nurse if hospice was involved, must officially pronounce the death. At home with hospice, call the hospice nurse rather than 911. If the death at home was unexpected, call 911. In a hospital or care facility, staff handle this. If someone dies at home, there is no need to move the body right away.

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.

Order certified copies of the death certificate

Only certain relatives, such as a spouse, siblings and children, can usually order one, from the vital records office in the state where the death happened. The funeral home often orders the first copies. There's no official number to order: many families order 5 to 15, depending on how many accounts are involved. Ask each institution whether it accepts a photocopy or returns the certified copy.

Confirm Social Security has been told about the death

Funeral homes usually report the death, so you typically don't need to. If no funeral home is involved, call with the person's name, Social Security number, date of birth and date of death. Benefits received for the month of death and later months must be returned. An eligible spouse or child can claim a one-time $255 payment within 2 years, and may qualify for survivor benefits.

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

To forward the person's mail to another address, go to a Post Office with proof that you are the appointed executor or administrator. A death certificate alone isn't enough. If you shared the address, you can manage the mail yourself. Registering the name with the Deceased Do Not Contact List (DMAchoice) reduces advertising mail.

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, debts are paid from the estate, and family members usually don't pay them with their own money. Exceptions include co-signers and spouses in community property states.

File for life insurance benefits

Submit claim forms along with a certified copy of the death certificate to each insurance company. Timelines vary by insurer, so ask what to expect and note the claim number.

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 private health insurers

Contact private health or supplemental plans to end coverage and settle any claims. Social Security notifies Medicare, so you usually don't need to call Medicare yourself.

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.

Return the passport for cancellation

Mail the passport to the State Department with a certified death certificate and a short letter asking for cancellation. They will return the cancelled passport if you ask.

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 states have a simpler process for small estates; your state court's self-help website explains the limits.

File claims for veteran benefits (if applicable)

The VA pays up to $2,000 toward burial for service-connected deaths on or after Sept. 11, 2001. For non-service-connected deaths on or after Oct. 1, 2025, it pays a $1,002 burial allowance plus $1,002 for a plot, claimed within 2 years of burial. A government headstone or marker is available at no cost (VA Form 40-1330).

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 is due on the date it would have been due had the person lived, usually April 15 of the following year. Write "DECEASED", the name and the date of death across the top. A surviving spouse can usually file jointly. To claim a refund, file Form 1310 unless you are that spouse or a court-appointed representative.

Request memorialization of Facebook account

You can request that Facebook memorialize the account (adding 'Remembering' before their name) or have it permanently deleted. Its request form explains what proof of death it needs.

Ask Google to close the account or share its content

Google works with immediate family and representatives to close a deceased person's account, and in some cases to provide content. It can't give out passwords. Download photos first if you can.

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

Each platform has its own process and asks for different proof. Check each platform's help center for its current form.

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 through the domain registrar 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

Many hospices offer bereavement support to families, and community and faith groups run grief support groups. A licensed therapist who specializes in grief can also help. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

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.