What to do when someone dies.

If you’re reading this, chances are someone you love just died. We’re sorry. And we know you don’t have time for fluff.

The first steps are: have the death officially pronounced, notify immediate family, secure the home and belongings, and contact a funeral home or cremation provider. In the days that follow, order 5-10 certified death certificates, locate the will, and notify the employer.

After interviewing 200+ families, we found that every family, regardless of estate size, faces 100+ of the same core tasks. You don’t have to do all of this today. You just have to do the next thing.

First 24 hours

These are the only things that need to happen today. Everything else can wait until tomorrow.

Get the death officially pronounced

If they died in a hospital or hospice, staff will handle this. At home, call 911 or hospice. The pronouncement unlocks every form, certificate, and account closure that follows.

Notify immediate family

You don’t have to call everyone. Pick one or two people who can help you call others. A short text is fine.

Contact a funeral home or cremation provider

They will pick up the body and walk you through next steps. You do not have to make every decision on this call. Start the conversation.

Secure the home and belongings

Lock the door. Bring in mail. If they lived alone, ask a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on the property. Don’t move valuables yet; you may need an inventory later.

Care for dependents and pets

Children, an aging spouse, or pets need someone watching them today. Ask one person to own this task.

Eat something. Sleep if you can.

The next 12 months are a marathon. You will be making financial and legal decisions on very little sleep. Protect your body now.

First week

This is the funeral and paperwork sprint. Keep a notebook. Write down every person you talk to, what they told you, and the date.

• Order 5-10 certified death certificates.
• Locate the will and any estate documents.
• Plan the funeral or memorial service.
• Write and submit the obituary, if you want one.
• Notify their employer.
• Notify Social Security, if applicable.
• Notify the VA, if they were a veteran.
• Forward mail and pause subscriptions.
• Lock down digital accounts.
• Make a list of everyone who needs to be told.

First month

This is when probate begins and the financial picture starts to come into focus.

• File the will with the probate court.
• Hire a probate or estate attorney when needed.
• Open an estate bank account.
• Notify all banks and credit unions.
• Notify the three credit bureaus.
• Cancel credit cards and pay final balances from estate funds.
• File life insurance claims.
• Notify retirement accounts and pensions.
• Cancel health insurance and Medicare when appropriate.
• Cancel driver’s license and voter registration.
• Inventory the assets.
• Notify mortgage lenders and other lenders.

First 3 months

Probate is now in motion. Creditors get notified, the estate starts paying bills, and you find out what you actually inherit.

• Publish creditor notice, if required.
• Pay valid debts from the estate.
• Transfer or sell vehicles.
• Address real estate.
• Sort through belongings.
• Cancel utilities and services when ready.
• Refile jointly owned property in the survivor’s name.
• Update beneficiaries on your own accounts.
• Update your own will and estate plan.
• Find a grief support resource.

First year

Most of the heavy lifting is done. This phase is taxes, distributions, and closing the estate.

• File the final personal tax return.
• File the estate income tax return, Form 1041, if the estate earned $600 or more.
• File an estate tax return only for very large estates or state-specific estate tax rules.
• Distribute assets to beneficiaries.
• File final accounting with the court.
• Close the estate bank account.
• Keep all records for 7 years.
• Mark the anniversary the way you want.
• Write down what you learned for the next person.

You did it. We’re sorry it fell to you. We’re glad you’re still here.