What to Do When Someone Dies

In the first hours

• If the person was in hospice, call the hospice. In a hospital or care facility, the staff will guide you.
• If the death was sudden or unexpected at home, call 911.
• When you are ready, contact a funeral home or crematory.
• Tell close family and friends. Ask one person to pass the news along for you.
• Make sure dependents, pets, and the home are looked after.

In the first few days

• Plan the funeral or memorial. Funeral homes must give an itemized price list, and in most states you are not required to use one.
• Order several certified copies of the death certificate. The funeral home can help.
• Look for the will, trust documents, and who is named executor.
• Confirm the funeral home will report the death to Social Security, or call 1-800-772-1213.
• Contact the employer about final pay and benefits.

In the first few weeks

• Find the executor or personal representative, and ask whether probate is needed.
• List the banks, insurers, pension plans, and credit cards to notify. Ask each what it needs before closing anything.
• Forward mail through the U.S. Postal Service and note bills and subscriptions.
• Consider sending a death certificate copy to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
• Review digital accounts: email, cloud storage, social media, subscriptions.

Finding accounts you do not know about

• Check mail, statements, email, old tax returns, wallet cards, and checkbook registers.
• Ask their attorney, accountant, or financial advisor.
• Search unclaimed property in every state they lived or worked: only-step.com/unclaimed-property
• Be careful with paid “finders” and anyone demanding payment right away. Debts are generally paid from the estate, and family members usually are not personally responsible.