A checklist for what to do after someone dies
When a spouse or parent dies, there is a lot to do at a time when it's hard to think straight. This checklist breaks it into small steps for the first day or two, the first two weeks and the months after, and lets family share the work so no one carries it alone. It's a practical guide, not legal or financial advice.
Pro Want help sharing the work, tracking every call and counting the certificates? See After a Death Pro →| When | Task | Details | Who's handling it | Done | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First 24 to 48 hours | Get a legal pronouncement of death | At home with hospice care, call the hospice nurse. At home without hospice, call 911. In a hospital or care home, the staff take care of this. | Me | ||
| First 24 to 48 hours | Tell close family and friends | Ask one or two people to pass the news on, so you don't have to make every call yourself. | Sarah | ||
| First 24 to 48 hours | Look for written wishes | Check for a will, funeral wishes, a prepaid funeral plan or organ donor wishes. Organ and body donation can't wait, so check this first. | Me | ||
| First 24 to 48 hours | Choose a funeral home | They collect the body and guide you through what comes next. In the US, funeral homes must give you an itemized price list if you ask. | Me and Sarah | Greenwood Funeral Home | |
| First 24 to 48 hours | Arrange care for dependents and pets | Children, a dependent adult or pets who relied on them need someone right away. | Uncle Dave | ||
| First 24 to 48 hours | Secure the home and car | Lock up, gather the keys, throw out food that will spoil, and ask a neighbor to watch the house if it's empty. | Uncle Dave | ||
| First 24 to 48 hours | Let their employer know | If they were working, tell their manager or HR. Ask about final pay, benefits and any work life insurance. | Sarah | ||
| First 24 to 48 hours | Take care of yourself | Eat, drink water and rest when you can. Almost everything else can wait a few days. | Everyone | ||
| First two weeks | Order certified copies of the death certificate | The funeral home usually orders them. Banks, insurers and agencies may each want an original, so ask for several. | Funeral home | Ordered 10 | |
| First two weeks | Plan the funeral or memorial | Burial or cremation, the service, who will speak and where people gather afterward. | Me and Sarah | ||
| First two weeks | Write and share an obituary | The funeral home can often place it in local papers and online. | Sarah | ||
| First two weeks | Find the original will | Check their papers and safe, or ask their lawyer. Keep the original somewhere safe and work from copies. | Me | ||
| First two weeks | Contact Social Security | The funeral home often reports the death. Call 1-800-772-1213 to ask about survivor benefits and any payment that arrives after the death. | Me | ||
| First two weeks | Contact Veterans Affairs if they served | Ask about burial and survivor benefits. You'll need their discharge papers. | Uncle Dave | ||
| First two weeks | Contact life insurance companies | Ask each one how to file a claim. Look through old paperwork and ask their employer about work policies. | Me | ||
| First two weeks | Keep essential bills paid | Mortgage or rent, utilities and home and car insurance, so nothing is cut off. Ask a lawyer which bills the estate should pay. | Me | ||
| First two weeks | Forward their mail | Have their mail sent to whoever is handling things, so bills and statements don't get missed. | Sarah | ||
| First two weeks | List every bill and account | Go through mail, bank statements and their phone. Add each one to the Accounts to Notify tab. | Me | ||
| First months | Talk to an estate lawyer | Ask whether probate is needed, who should act as executor, and what deadlines apply where they lived. | Me | ||
| First months | Notify banks and credit card companies | Each will want a death certificate. Ask before closing joint accounts, since you may need them for a while. | Me | ||
| First months | Notify the three credit bureaus | Ask Equifax, Experian and TransUnion to mark the credit file as deceased. It helps prevent identity theft. | Sarah | ||
| First months | Cancel their driver's license | Contact the state DMV. This also helps prevent identity theft. | Uncle Dave | ||
| First months | Cancel or transfer utilities, phone and subscriptions | Track each one on the Accounts to Notify tab. | Sarah | ||
| First months | Close or memorialize email and social media | Many sites let family close an account or turn it into a memorial. Save photos and messages you want to keep first. | Sarah | ||
| First months | Transfer car titles and property | The DMV and county records office handle these. A lawyer can tell you what paperwork is needed. | Me | ||
| First months | Claim pensions and retirement accounts | Contact each plan for its beneficiary claim forms. | Me | ||
| First months | File final tax returns | An accountant can help with their final income tax return and any estate return. | Me | ||
| First months | Review your own will and beneficiaries | If they were your spouse, or named on your accounts, update your own plans. | Me | ||
| First months | Sort and share their belongings | There's no deadline here. Take the time you need. | Everyone | ||
| First months | Find support for yourself | A grief group, counselor or faith community can help. Many hospices offer grief support to families. | Everyone | ||
| Document | Why it's needed | Where it is | Have it | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certified death certificates | Banks, insurers, Social Security, DMV | From the funeral home | 10 ordered | |
| Will and any trust papers | Names the executor and their wishes | Desk, top drawer | Original with Laura Chen | |
| Birth certificate | Some claims ask for it | Fire safe | ||
| Marriage certificate | Survivor benefits for a spouse | Fire safe | ||
| Social Security number | Needed on almost every form | Card in wallet | ||
| Military discharge papers (DD 214) | Veterans burial benefits | Not found yet | Ask the VA or the National Archives for a copy | |
| Life insurance policies | To file each claim | Filing cabinet | ||
| Bank and investment statements | To find every account | Mail and online | ||
| Last two years of tax returns | For the final tax return | With their accountant | ||
| Deed, mortgage or lease | For the home | Fire safe | ||
| Car titles | To transfer or sell a car | Not found yet | ||
| Pension and retirement statements | To claim as a beneficiary | Filing cabinet | ||
| Health insurance and Medicare cards | To end coverage and check final bills | Wallet | ||
| Prepaid funeral contract | If they had one | None found | ||
| Phone passcode and password list | To reach online accounts and photos | Ask Sarah | ||
| Who | Type | Account (last 4) | Phone or website | What to do | Who's handling it | Death certificate sent | Done | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Security Administration | Government | 1-800-772-1213 | Notify, ask about benefits | Me | Funeral home may have reported it | |||
| Medicare | Government | Usually updated by Social Security | Check it's been updated | Me | ||||
| Veterans Affairs | Government | va.gov | Claim burial benefits | Uncle Dave | ||||
| State DMV | Government | License | State DMV website | Cancel license | Uncle Dave | |||
| Lakeside Bank (checking and savings) | Bank | 4417 | Branch on Main St | Notify, ask what the estate needs | Me | Appointment Nov 12 | ||
| Credit card | Credit card | 9023 | Number on back of card | Notify and close | Me | |||
| Equifax, Experian and TransUnion | Credit bureau | Each bureau's website | Mark file as deceased | Sarah | ||||
| Metro Transit (employer HR) | Employer | HR office | Final pay and benefits | Sarah | Final check coming | |||
| Northfield Life Insurance | Insurance | Policy 22-881 | Claims line | File a claim | Me | Claim form sent | ||
| Car insurance | Insurance | Agent | Keep until car is sold | Me | ||||
| Home insurance | Insurance | Agent | Keep paying, tell them the home is empty | Me | ||||
| Electric and gas | Utility | 7781 | Online account | Transfer to estate | Sarah | |||
| Water | Utility | City website | Keep for now | Sarah | ||||
| Internet and TV | Utility | Phone | Cancel | Sarah | ||||
| Cell phone | Phone | Store | Cancel after saving photos | Sarah | Save photos first | |||
| Streaming and app subscriptions | Subscription | Check their email | Cancel | Sarah | ||||
| Email account | Online | Provider's help pages | Save, then close | Sarah | ||||
| Online | Facebook help center | Memorialize | Sarah | |||||
| Pharmacy | Health | Phone | Stop auto-refills | Me | ||||
| Newspaper | Subscription | Phone | Cancel | Uncle Dave | ||||
| Name | Role | Phone | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarah Miller | Sister, helping as co-executor | (614) 555-0133 | sarah.miller@email.com | |
| Dave Miller | Uncle, helping with the house and car | (614) 555-0172 | Has a spare key | |
| Jim Porter | Funeral director, Greenwood Funeral Home | (614) 555-0100 | jim@greenwoodfh.com | |
| Laura Chen | Estate lawyer | (614) 555-0155 | lchen@chenlaw.com | Holds the original will |
| Mark Ellis | Accountant | (614) 555-0119 | mark@elliscpa.com | Did Dad's taxes for years |
| Northfield Life claims | Life insurance | (800) 555-0164 | Claim number 55-2190 | |
| Pastor Ruth Adams | Leading the service | (614) 555-0128 | ||
| Ann Foster | Neighbor | (614) 555-0181 | Picks up the mail | |
| Item | Progress |
|---|---|
| First 24 to 48 hours | 6 of 8 done |
| First two weeks | 5 of 10 done |
| First months | 0 of 12 done |
| All tasks | 11 of 30 done |
| Documents found | 6 of 15 |
| Accounts done | 4 of 20 |
| Death certificates ordered | 10 |
| Death certificates sent | 3 |
| Death certificates left | 7 |
| Open tasks by person | |
| Me | 10 |
| Sarah | 4 |
| Uncle Dave | 2 |
| Me and Sarah | 0 |
| Funeral home | 0 |
| Everyone | 3 |
What's inside
- 30 tasks in three stages: the first 24 to 48 hours, the first two weeks and the first months
- A plain-language note on every task saying what it means and who usually helps
- A Who's handling it column, so family members can split the work and see what's left
- A list of documents to find, with where each one is and a tick when you have it
- An accounts list for government, banks, insurance, utilities and online accounts, with death certificates sent
- A summary of progress, death certificates left and open tasks for each person
How to use it
Download your copy
Click "Free download" to save the .xlsx file. It opens in Excel, or in Google Sheets: open a blank sheet (sheets.new) and choose File, then Import, then Upload. Share it with the family members who are helping.
Start with the first 24 to 48 hours
Only the first few tasks are urgent. Do those, then give yourself room to breathe.
Share out the tasks
Put a name in Who's handling it for each task. Use the same names on the Summary tab to see what each person has left.
Gather the documents
Work down the Documents tab. Write where each one is, even if you don't have it in hand yet, and tick Have it when you do.
Work through the accounts
Add each bank, card, utility and subscription to Accounts to Notify as you find them. Tick when a death certificate goes out and when the account is done.
Print it if you prefer paper
Click File, then Print, choose Landscape and Fit to width. A printed list on the kitchen table works for many families.
Tips
You don't have to do it all at once
After the first few days, most of this can wait weeks or months. Doing one or two things a day is enough.
Keep a log of calls
Use the Notes columns to write the date, who you spoke to and any reference number. It saves repeating yourself later.
Ask for help with specific jobs
People want to help but don't know how. "Could you cancel the newspaper and the phone?" is easier to say yes to than "Let me know if you need anything."
Check with a professional before big steps
Before closing accounts, paying debts or selling property, check with an estate lawyer or accountant. Rules differ from state to state.
Questions
What should I do first when someone dies?
Get a legal pronouncement of death, tell close family, check for any organ donation or funeral wishes, and choose a funeral home. Arrange care for any dependents or pets. Most other tasks can wait a few days.
How many death certificates do I need?
It depends on how many accounts and agencies are involved. Banks, insurers and some agencies want a certified copy each. Count the accounts on your list and ask the funeral home for a few extra.
What should I do after the death of a spouse?
The same steps apply, plus a few that matter more: ask Social Security about survivor benefits, check joint accounts and insurance, and review your own will and beneficiaries.
What should I do after the death of a parent?
Find out who the executor is, look for the will, and talk to their lawyer if they had one. Siblings can split the tasks using the Who's handling it column.
Is this legal or financial advice?
No. It's a practical checklist to help you keep track. Rules on probate, debts and taxes vary by state, so check with an estate lawyer or accountant before making big decisions.
Is this checklist free?
Yes. Download the .xlsx file and open it in Excel or Google Sheets. No sign-up.
Pro version
After a Death Pro
A calm, shared checklist for the first days, weeks, months and year after a death, with accounts, death certificates and family expenses kept in one place.
Know what matters now
Type the date they died once and every task gets a gentle aim-by date in four stages. The Dashboard shows the few things that need attention this week, so the rest can wait.
Share the work fairly
Put a name next to each task and account. Everyone can see who is handling what, and how much each person still has on their plate.
Every call written down
For each bank, agency, insurer and service, note the date, who you spoke to, the reference number and when to follow up. Accounts that need a follow-up turn red.
The right number of death certificates
It counts the places that want a certified copy, the copies you've sent and the ones still in hand, and tells you if you need to order more.
Money paid by family, tracked
Log what each person paid for the funeral or the estate, keep track of receipts, and see what is still owed back. It makes the conversation with the lawyer and the family easier.
Ready for a family meeting
One printable page shows progress by stage, what needs attention, accounts still open, each person's tasks and money, and a list of things to talk about.
| Free | Pro |
|---|---|
| 30 tasks in three stages | 42 tasks in four stages, through the first year |
| · | Aim-by dates worked out from the date they died |
| Who's handling it column | Who's doing what, with open tasks per person |
| Accounts list with ticks | Accounts with reference numbers, follow-up dates and status |
| Death certificates sent | Certificate count: how many you need and when to order more |
| · | Expenses paid by family, with owed-back totals |
| · | Dashboard with charts and what needs attention |
| · | Printable family meeting summary |
$19 one-time
9 tabs: Start Here, Dashboard, Tasks, Accounts, Documents, Expenses, Contacts, Family Meeting and Setup. You get two copies: one filled in with a sample family so you can see it working, and a blank one with the starter tasks ready for your own. It's a practical organizer, not legal, tax or financial advice: an estate lawyer or accountant can tell you what applies where you live.
Get After a Death Pro for $19- Instant download after checkout
- Works in Google Sheets and Excel
- Yours to keep and reuse every year