Loss of a Loved One Checklist
Someone close to you has passed away.
22 expert-curated steps · Organized by urgency · Free preview below
What most people ask first
What do I need to handle immediately?
What legal and financial steps matter?
How do I take care of myself and my family?
Understand how death is pronounced in your state
If your loved one is on hospice, the hospice nurse handles this. If not, you may need to call a doctor or 911. Rules vary by state.
Why this matters: Knowing this now means you won't be Googling it at 2am through tears.
Choose a funeral home before you need one
Research options, compare prices, and have a name ready. The funeral home will transport the body and guide you through everything.
Why this matters: Making this decision under pressure leads to overspending and regret. Most families wish they'd done this research earlier.
Locate the will, trust, and legal documents
Check safe deposit boxes, home files, and contact any known attorney. The will may contain burial/cremation instructions.
Why this matters: After death, you'll need these immediately. Finding them in advance saves days of stress.
Get power of attorney while you still can
A POA lets someone make legal and financial decisions on behalf of your loved one. It must be signed while they are mentally competent.
Why this matters: Once someone is incapacitated, it's too late. A court-appointed guardianship is expensive and slow.
Set up healthcare proxy / advance directive
This document states your loved one's medical wishes — DNR, life support, pain management. Talk to them about what they want.
Why this matters: Without this, doctors will ask you to make impossible decisions with no guidance.
17 more steps available
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