What to do immediately when someone dies

1. Notify the authorities that a death has occurred. If you're not in a hospital or with hospice care at the time of the death, call 911 immediately so that the death can be legally pronounced. If your loved one is in a hospital or under hospice care, this task generally falls to the medical caretakers.

2. Arrange for transportation of your loved one by calling the funeral service provider nearest you. We will arrange transportation with no obligation to use our funeral services. Be aware of any arrangements that need to be made for autopsy or organ donation before a mortuary or crematorium takes your loved one into its care.

3. Notify family and close friends of the death. You may wish to ask some of these people to inform others.

4. Arrange for a caretaker for children, elderly parents and pets. (This is a good task to delegate to someone you trust.)

5. Notify your loved one’s employer, if he or she was still working. Ask about remaining pay, life insurance, benefits or any other work-related details you may need to know.

6. Locate the will and any pre-planned funeral arrangements.

7. Select a funeral home, mortuary or funeral director to begin the process of planning a funeral, memorial service, cremation or celebration of life.

What to do before the funeral

1. Enlist family and friends to be pallbearers, greeters, decorators or food servers.

2. Check on the home of your loved one if necessary (another good task to delegate). Water plants, throw out perishable food, collect mail and make sure all the doors and windows are closed and locked.

3. Plan for a post-funeral gathering, such as a reception or visitation. Ask your funeral provider about the options for catered and non-catered gatherings that will offer comfort to friends and family.

4. Share the details of the service. Once the date, time and location of the funeral have been set, let those close to you know, and have them share the information with friends and community members. 

What to do after the funeral

Get multiple copies of the death certificate. The executor and funeral director will need to contact the following agencies, most of which will request at least one copy of the death certificate:

1. Social Security (800-772-1213; socialsecurity.gov) to discuss ceasing benefits, obtaining survivor benefits and Medicare. Veterans Affairs may also be necessary for the cessation of benefits (800-827-1000; va.gov).

2. Health, life, homeowner, automobile and other insurance companies to cease or transfer benefits.

3. Utility companies to change or stop services.

4. Employer for pension plans or employment benefits; each separate claim will require a separate copy of the death certificate.

5. Probate attorney for asset, trust and estate inventory.

6. Tax preparer to determine if an estate tax return or final income tax returns should be filed.

7. State department of motor vehicle services to cancel driver’s license.

8. Bank for safe deposits and remaining accounts; you may be advised to open a new account for the estate.

9. Deliver the will to the appropriate office for probate.

10. Notify the post office of the death and the location to which mail should be forwarded. (Going through your loved one’s mail can help you become aware of bills, subscriptions or other accounts or services that should be canceled.)

11. Notify the police if your loved one left behind a house that will sit vacant, so that they can periodically monitor the home against suspicious activity.