What to Do When Someone Dies: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
4 sections · Expert-curated · Free
The First 24 Hours
If on hospice, call the hospice nurse — ...
If not on hospice, call 911 or the atten...
Notify immediate family members personal...
Contact a funeral home. They will transp...
Locate the will, if one exists. Check ho...
+1 more
The First Week
Order at least 10 certified death certif...
Notify Social Security at 1-800-772-1213...
Contact all life insurance providers. Ch...
Notify the employer to stop payroll and ...
Plan the memorial or funeral with the fu...
The First Month
Open a separate estate bank account to m...
Cancel subscriptions and accounts — Netf...
Consult an estate attorney about whether...
Notify credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian...
File the final tax return — the estate m...
Taking Care of Yourself
It is okay to eat cereal for dinner. The...
If someone offers to help, say yes. You ...
Grief does not have a timeline. Be patie...
Consider grief counseling or a support g...
Track your progress — assign tasks, check things off, share with family
Get my planThe First 24 Hours
The first day is the hardest. Here is exactly what needs to happen, in order.
If on hospice, call the hospice nurse — NOT 911. Calling 911 can trigger unwanted resuscitation.
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
If not on hospice, call 911 or the attending physician to pronounce death.
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Notify immediate family members personally by phone. Do not post on social media until everyone close has been told.
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Contact a funeral home. They will transport the body and guide you through paperwork. This must happen within 24 hours in most states.
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Locate the will, if one exists. Check home files, safe deposit boxes, and contact any known attorney.
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Secure the home and make sure pets are cared for.
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The First Week
Once the immediate steps are handled, these are the most time-sensitive items in the first week.
Order at least 10 certified death certificates. Banks, insurance companies, and government agencies each require an original.
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Notify Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. If they were receiving benefits, payments must stop.
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Contact all life insurance providers. Check employer policies too — these are often overlooked.
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Notify the employer to stop payroll and ask about death benefits, final wages, and 401k.
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Plan the memorial or funeral with the funeral home.
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
The First Month
These are important but less urgent. Handle them as you have capacity.
Open a separate estate bank account to manage the deceased person's finances.
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Cancel subscriptions and accounts — Netflix, gym, credit cards, email.
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Consult an estate attorney about whether probate is required in your state.
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Notify credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to prevent identity theft.
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
File the final tax return — the estate may need its own return.
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Taking Care of Yourself
This is easy to forget but may be the most important section.
It is okay to eat cereal for dinner. The dishes can wait.
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
If someone offers to help, say yes. You are not a burden.
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Grief does not have a timeline. Be patient with yourself.
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Consider grief counseling or a support group — most people find it helpful.
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do you call first when someone dies?
If the person was on hospice, call the hospice nurse. If not, call 911 or the attending physician. The hospice nurse will come to the home and handle the pronouncement and paperwork.
How many death certificates do I need?
Order at least 10 certified copies. Banks, insurance companies, Social Security, the DMV, and the court (for probate) each require an original certified copy. Photocopies are not accepted.
How much do death certificates cost?
Certified death certificates cost $10-25 each depending on your state. The funeral home typically files the paperwork, and the county vital records office issues them.
Do I need to call 911 when someone dies?
If the person was on hospice, do NOT call 911 — call the hospice nurse instead. Calling 911 for a hospice patient can trigger unwanted resuscitation. If the person was not on hospice, call 911.
How long do I have to plan a funeral?
Most funeral homes recommend services within 3-7 days, but there is no legal deadline in most states. If you need more time, discuss options like refrigeration or cremation with the funeral home.
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