What To Do When Someone Dies: A Comprehensive Guide

Losing a loved one is emotionally devastating, but the practicalities and legalities of death make things even worse. Knowing what to do when someone dies provides some clarity and direction during a difficult time.

Key steps include:

• Legal pronouncement of death
• Notify family and friends
• Check for funeral plans
• Plan the funeral

Our detailed guide on navigating these steps, and more, will walk you through the process and will help you decide the best course of action.

Things to Do Immediately After Someone Dies

The immediate aftermath usually is a time of confusion and distress, making it difficult to know exactly what things to do when someone passes away. And while the actual funeral ceremony requires planning and certain decisions, some things must be done right away.

Legal Pronouncement of Death

First, it is necessary to have the death legally pronounced.

When someone dies at home, and it was expected, a personal physician can handle this.

If the deceased has been in hospice care, the hospice staff can come to pronounce the death.

These two options allow the body to remain at home. That opens up the possibility for family members to say goodbye in private before funeral services take over or to plan a home funeral.

If none of the above is available or relevant, you must call 911, and the body will likely be taken to a hospital for confirmation of death.

When death occurs in a medical facility, nurses or doctors handle the pronouncement.

The pronouncement of death form is NOT a death certificate, but it is necessary to obtain one. Make 5 copies of the form and at least 10 of the death certificate; the latter will be requested by various service providers and institutions.

Notify Family and Friends

After a loved one passes, inform close family members and friends as soon as possible. This can be done in person, via phone, or even by mail. Deliver the news with sensitivity and compassion, ensuring that the person receiving the information feels supported and has the space to process their emotions. Likewise, compassion and support will outpour your way.

It’s essential to be gentle yet clear, acknowledging the pain of the loss while providing necessary details.

Here’s a checklist for the death of a spouse or other loved one, detailing everyone who needs to be notified:

• Immediate family
• Close friends
• Workplace of the deceased
• Social clubs and organizations
• Religious or community groups

Handling these notifications thoughtfully is a crucial step in the to-do list after death. An obituary is a practical and often beautiful way to inform the world at large about the loss, but it is usually written at a later date.

Check for Funeral Plans and Preferences

When losing a spouse, or another loved one, unexpectedly it’s important to check if they have left any end-of-life planning. If they haven’t, ask those closest to them for any relevant information.

Additionally, search through the deceased’s documents for personal preferences and end-of-life plans. Knowing their wishes can make funeral planning much easier and ensure their desires are respected.

Planning the Funeral or Cremation Service

Another thing that happens after death is selecting a reputable funeral home or director for the funeral or cremation. They should align with your family’s preferences and budget.

Funeral homes significantly ease the burden by handling logistics, but note that this means relinquishing some control over the proceedings.

Talk to close relatives to determine if the deceased had specific preferences for their funeral. Always consider cultural or religious customs when making arrangements to honor the deceased appropriately.

For example, Jewish customs often include a quick burial and sitting shiva, while Hindu traditions may involve cremation and a scattering of ashes. Catholic ceremonies typically perform a funeral mass.

Additionally, the deceased may have been a veteran or member of a fraternal organization. Such groups are known to organize funeral ceremonies with honor and support.

Here’s a short funeral planning checklist to help you select a funeral home:

• Get recommendations from friends or family.
• Read online reviews.
• Visit the funeral home to assess their services.
• Discuss your budget and preferences openly.
• Ensure they respect the necessary cultural or religious customs.
• Check whether they can accommodate your funeral planning and timings.

The right funeral home can create a respectful and fitting farewell for your loved one.

Organ or Body Donation

If the deceased wished to donate their organs or entire body, immediate action is required, especially if the death occurred at home.

Here are the steps to ensure timely communication to maintain organ viability.:

• Verify the deceased’s organ or body donation wishes by checking the organ donor registration.
• Contact the local organ procurement organization immediately.
• Follow instructions from the donation organization for the next steps.
• Notify the medical team or hospice care provider.

A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order does not conflict with organ donation, but timely communication is crucial for honoring their wishes. 

Make sure you fully understand the deceased’s death arrangements,  and proceed accordingly, by reviewing their will or advance directives, discussing with family members and checking for organ donor registration.

Practical Matters that Require Attention

After the death of a parent or other loved one, there are several practical matters to address immediately. 

The following sections will guide you through the steps to manage these responsibilities effectively.

Secure the Property and Forward the Mail

One of the things to do after a family member dies is to secure their property, especially if they lived alone. Change the locks, empty the fridge, and move valuable items to a safer location.

Forwarding their mail to your address will help you manage their affairs. It will also prevent mail from piling up, which could indicate the property is vacant.

At some point after the funeral, the property should be cleaned. It is not an easy task but involving relatives and friends who wish to help out and step closer to closure is one way to do it.

Making an inventory of the valuables and furniture included in the will is a good first step in cleaning a house after death.

Notify Financial Institutions

After a family member has died, it’s crucial to notify their:

• Banks
• Credit card companies
• Insurance providers
• Mortgage companies
• Loan providers
• Investment firms
• Pension plans

Have handy documents such as the death certificate, the deceased’s account information, and proof of your identity and relationship to the deceased.

This will help close or transfer accounts and prevent any fraudulent activity.

Cancel Subscriptions and Services

To cancel subscriptions after deaths such as utilities, phone plans, or memberships, contact each provider directly.

Ideally, the deceased left a checklist with account logins. If not, invoices can point you in the right direction.

For ongoing contracts or payments, inform the providers of the death and request cancellation or transfer options. Having the death certificate on hand will be helpful.

A death certificate and your ID can help you close online accounts as well, even if you don’t have the logins.

Taking Care of the Estate and Legal Matters after Death

One of the things to do following a death is to find the will. It can be read at a later date to identify the executor.

This ensures that the estate is managed according to the deceased’s instructions. Addressing these legal matters promptly helps the living move on and also honor the last wishes of their loved one.

Obtain and Create Certified Copies of the Death Certificate

To obtain a death certificate, contact the local health department, vital records office, or the funeral home assisting with arrangements.

Request at least 10 certified copies, as these will be necessary for handling legal and financial affairs, such as closing accounts, claiming insurance, and managing the estate.

Enough copies will streamline the process of settling the deceased’s affairs.

Notify the Necessary Institutions

After a death, it’s important to notify several key institutions:

• Social Security Administration (SSA) — Inform the SSA to stop benefits and inquire about survivor benefits.
• Life insurance Companies — Contact life insurance providers to start the claims process.
• Banks — Notify banks to close or transfer accounts and prevent unauthorized access.
• Credit agencies — Report the death to credit agencies to avoid identity theft.
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) — To report the death of a permanent resident, notify USCIS by submitting Form AR-11 (Alien’s Change of Address Card) along with a copy of the death certificate.

These steps are necessary for closing the deceased’s affairs and preventing potential issues.

Assess the Estate

After death, an inventory will need to be taken on all the assets, including:

• Jewelry
• Cars
• Real estate, bank, and investment accounts
• Insurance policies
• Antiques
• Artwork
• Collectibles

A professional can help evaluate valuable household items. However, finding a reliable appraiser who will take the necessary time to secure fair sales and won’t rush it just to get a commission is rather challenging. Instead, you can carry jewelry to a reputable store in town and get them appraised.

Artwork and collectibles can be checked by art galleries or even online.

A detailed inventory will assist the executor in managing the estate and ensure the correct legal procedures when someone dies are followed.

Find the Executor of the Will

Contact the executor of the will and collaborate with them on the asset inventory. Determine what assistance they may need for the execution of the will, as it can be a lengthy process involving months or even years of paperwork.

The will executor’s duties include managing assets, paying debts, and distributing the estate according to the will.

Transporting a Dead Body Across Borders

If transporting a body from one state to another, or even a different country, is needed, contact a funeral home experienced in such arrangements. They will handle the required permits, death certificates, and embalming or refrigeration needs.

Coordination with transportation services, whether by air or ground, is essential as well. Inquire about legal and logistical requirements they may have.

Things to Do if There Is No Will

When handling an estate without a will, certain steps are essential to ensure proper management and distribution of assets. The following subsections will guide you through the necessary procedures to handle the estate effectively.

Intestate Succession

Intestate succession is the legal process that distributes a deceased person’s assets according to state law when there is no will. The hierarchy of heirs under intestate succession laws typically starts with the surviving spouse and children, followed by parents, siblings, and more distant relatives.

Normally, the laws are designed to fairly distribute the deceased’s assets among their closest family members but also among debtors. However, it can be a lengthy process that involves court and lawyer fees that diminish the estate.

Familiarizing yourself with these legal procedures when someone dies can help navigate the complexities of estate management.

One possibility is to appoint an administrator.

Appointing an Administrator

To appoint an administrator without a will, petition the court to select one to oversee the distribution of the deceased’s estate. To do this, file a petition with the probate court in the county where the deceased lived.

The administrator’s responsibilities resemble those a will’s executor would have:

• Identifying and inventorying assets
• Paying debts and taxes
• Distributing the remaining assets to heirs according to state intestate succession laws

Of course, the lack of will gives the administrator greater power in determining what goes where.

Distribution of Assets Without a Will

When there is no will, assets are distributed among heirs according to intestate succession laws, typically starting with the surviving spouse and children, then parents and siblings.

To transfer ownership of assets like real estate or bank accounts, the appointed administrator must obtain court approval and follow state procedures. This often involves filing necessary documents and ensuring all legal requirements are met to properly transfer ownership to the rightful heirs.

Consider hiring a family death lawyer to assist with some of the legal technicalities.

Remembering and Celebrating the Life of the Deceased

Honoring the deceased’s legacy by carrying forward their values, traditions, and passions is a meaningful way to remember them. When considering what to do when someone dies, it’s important to grieve in your way and at your own pace, recognizing that healing takes time.

All the same, try to find ways to celebrate the life lived by your loved one rather than solely mourning their passing. Share stories, cherish memories, and find comfort in the impact they had on your life.

This approach can bring solace and help keep their spirit alive in your heart.