Death of a Loved One

A Comprehensive Checklist

What to Do When Someone Dies: Quick Summary

Immediate steps

Notify close family or friends—ask someone to help

Arrange transport of the body through a funeral home or cremation provider

Within a few days

Choose a funeral home and begin arrangements

Order multiple certified death certificates

Secure the home, mail, pets, and valuables

First week to first month

Meet with the funeral director and bring personal details for required paperwork

Notify key agencies: Social Security, insurance companies, banks, employer

Locate legal and financial documents: will, insurance, account info, deeds

Contact the deceased’s financial advisor or seek fiduciary help

Begin probate or trust process if needed

In the months following

File final tax returns (and estate taxes, if needed)

Pay bills and distribute assets according to the will or trust

Cancel or transfer services (utilities, licenses, subscriptions)

Update your own estate plan, especially if you’ve inherited assets

Tips for Executors and Family Members

Keep a log of all phone calls, emails, and transactions

Use a binder or secure digital system to track documents

Don’t rush—many tasks take months

Seek professional help for legal, tax, or financial decisions

Helpful Tip: Don’t try to do everything at once. Use the full checklist that follows

to work through the process in stages—and ask for help when needed.

Within 1–3 Days

Choose a Funeral Home and Make Arrangements

Burial, cremation, or donation (per the deceased’s wishes, if known).

Select a date and time for the funeral, memorial, or celebration of life.

Coordinate with clergy or officiants if desired.

Obtain Death Certificates

Order multiple certified copies (5–10 is typical) through the funeral home or local vital records office.

These are needed for banks, insurance, Social Security, etc.

Search online for your local vital records office if not handled through the funeral home.

Within the First Week

Secure the Deceased’s Property

Lock up the home, car, and valuables.

Arrange care for pets and plants.

Forward mail through the post office.

Locate Documents

Will or trust

Insurance policies

Bank and investment account info

Deeds and titles

Social Security card

Marriage, birth, or military discharge certificates

Notify Key Organizations

Social Security Administration

Employer (to process final paycheck, benefits)

Veterans Affairs (if applicable)

Insurance companies (life, health, auto, etc.)

Financial institutions (banks, credit cards, retirement accounts)

Mortgage and loan companies

Pension providers

Utility companies

Subscriptions and memberships

Within the First Month

Begin Probate or Trust Administration

File the will with probate court (if applicable)

Appoint the executor or trustee (if not already named)

Inventory assets and debts

Contact an estate attorney if needed

For out of state property, contact the probate court where the property is located for ancillary probate procedures

Review Investments and Contact Financial Advisor

Notify the deceased’s financial advisor or investment firm. They can help:

Identify and value investment accounts (IRAs, 401(k)s, brokerage accounts)

Discuss tax implications and required minimum distributions (RMDs)

Review beneficiaries on retirement accounts

If the deceased had no advisor, consider hiring a fiduciary advisor to help:

Consolidate accounts

Avoid costly investment mistakes

Manage inherited assets

Avoid making emotional or rushed investment decisions.

Be wary of financial sales pitches during this vulnerable time.

Manage Digital Assets

Email accounts, social media, cloud storage, subscriptions

Some platforms allow account memorialization or legacy contacts

Pay Bills and Handle Debts

Identify recurring payments and cancel or transfer accounts

Notify creditors and determine which debts the estate is responsible for

Ongoing (1–12 Months)

File Final Tax Returns

File the deceased’s final federal and state income taxes

File estate tax return, if necessary

Work with a CPA or tax preparer familiar with estate matters

Distribute Assets According to the Will or Trust

Follow legal process for dividing property, financial accounts, and personal belongings

Get receipts from beneficiaries if required by the court

Notify Additional Entities

DMV (to cancel driver’s license and update vehicle titles)

Voter registration office

Professional licensing boards

Alumni associations or clubs

Cancel or transfer insurance (auto, homeowners, Medicare, etc.)

Optional/Situational tasks

Claim life insurance benefits

Transfer or sell property (real estate, vehicles, etc.)

File for survivor benefits (Social Security, pensions)

Update your own estate plan after receiving an inheritance

Understanding Probate

What is Probate?

Probate is the court-supervised process to validate a will, pay debts, and distribute assets. A will doesn’t avoid probate—it’s actually the document that goes through this process.

Probate generally applies to assets owned solely by the deceased. Jointly owned property, accounts with named beneficiaries, and assets held in certain trusts usually bypass probate.

Key Probate Facts

Typical costs for simple cases where everyone cooperates and assets are straightforward generally run about $5,000 or less; costs rise with disputes, complex assets, or multiple beneficiaries.

Probate often takes several months to over a year, depending on the estate’s complexity.

Probate costs commonly amount to 3–7% of the estate’s value in legal fees and court costs, influenced by estate size, heirs, asset types, disputes, and attorney fees.

State probate rules differ on filing requirements, deadlines, and notices.

Most people don’t pay federal estate tax since the exemption is very high; over 99% of estates fall below the threshold.

Final Tips and Resources

Check Public Records

County Register of Deeds for real estate ownership

DMV for vehicle titles

Probate court for any prior filings

Unclaimed Property Search

Tennessee Department of Treasury’s “Unclaimed Property” search

MissingMoney.com and NAUPA for nationwide searches

Pension & Retirement Accounts

U.S. Department of Labor’s lost pension search

PBGC “Missing Participants” database

Tips

If you’re not sure which accounts or policies existed, request a free credit report for the decedent at AnnualCreditReport.com to identify open accounts or creditors. Search in every state the decedent lived, worked, or went to school

Search under maiden names, nicknames, and old addresses

Keep a list of known employers, banks, and insurance companies

Grief Counseling & Crisis Support

Crisis Line – Dial 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available nationwide).

You can also search online for your local crisis line if you prefer community-based support.

Alive Hospice – Grief Support – https://www.alivehospice.org/care/grief-support/

Find Support Near You – Search Psychology Today’s Grief Support Directory for local counselors and groups.

Additional Options – National Alliance for Grieving Children and GriefShare provide vetted, nationwide resources.

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Most recent revision October 12, 2025 04:34:03 PM

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