A Step-by-Step Checklist: What to Do When a Loved One Passes

The very first steps depend on where the death occurred:

If the death occurs at home with hospice care:

• Call the hospice nurse. They will come to the home, confirm the death, and handle the official pronouncement. Do NOT call 911 unless the hospice team instructs you to.
• The hospice team will contact the attending physician to sign the death certificate.
• Take your time. There is no legal requirement to have the body removed immediately. You may spend as much time as you need with your loved one.

If the death occurs at home without hospice:

• Call 911. Paramedics will respond and confirm the death. In some jurisdictions, the coroner or medical examiner may also be dispatched.
• If the death was expected (elderly, known terminal illness), the attending physician can typically sign the death certificate. If the death was unexpected, the coroner may need to investigate.

If the death occurs in a hospital or care facility:

• The medical staff will handle the pronouncement and begin the death certificate process.
• The facility will typically ask you to choose a funeral home. You do not have to decide immediately — you can ask for time.

Once the initial shock begins to settle, these notifications should be made as soon as practical:

• Immediate family members: Notify spouse, children, parents, and siblings first. Consider designating one person to make the calls so you are not repeating the news dozens of times.
• Close friends: Notify the deceased's closest friends. Ask one trusted friend to help spread the word to wider social circles.
• Employer: If the deceased was employed, notify their employer. Ask about any life insurance benefits, final paychecks, or unused PTO payouts.
• YOUR employer: Notify your own workplace that you will need bereavement leave. Most companies offer 3–5 days of paid bereavement leave for immediate family.
• Religious leader: If the deceased or your family has a faith community, contact your pastor, priest, rabbi, imam, or spiritual leader. They can provide comfort and help coordinate religious aspects of the funeral.

This is the most consequential financial decision you will make in the first 24 hours. Take your time and do not let anyone pressure you into choosing immediately.

• Request General Price Lists (GPLs): Call at least 2–3 funeral homes and request their itemized price lists. The FTC Funeral Rule requires them to provide this over the phone.
• Compare total costs: Look at the bottom line for the type of service you want (full-service burial, cremation with memorial, direct cremation). Prices can vary by thousands of dollars in the same city.
• Ask about payment plans: Many funeral homes offer financing or installment plans. Some accept credit cards. Discuss this upfront.
• Check for pre-paid plans: If the deceased had a pre-paid funeral contract, locate the paperwork. The named funeral home is obligated to honor the terms.
• Use our directory: Browse funeral homes in your area on our site to compare locations, services, and ownership types before making calls.

The administrative burden in the first few days can feel overwhelming. Here is a prioritized list:

• Death Certificates: Order 10–15 certified copies through the funeral home (they handle this as part of their services). You will need them for insurance claims, bank accounts, property transfers, Social Security, and more.
• Social Security Administration: Report the death to the SSA by calling 1-800-772-1213. If the deceased was receiving benefits, payments must stop. The surviving spouse may be eligible for a one-time $255 death benefit and ongoing survivor benefits.
• Life Insurance: Contact the insurance company with a certified death certificate to begin the claims process. Most policies pay within 30–60 days.
• Bank Accounts: Notify all financial institutions. Joint accounts typically remain accessible to the surviving account holder. Individual accounts may be frozen until probate is completed.
• Utility Companies: Transfer or cancel utilities in the deceased's name (electric, gas, water, internet, phone).
• Mail: File a forwarding request with the USPS if the deceased lived alone.
• Subscriptions: Cancel recurring subscriptions (streaming services, magazines, gym memberships, etc.).

Once the immediate crisis has passed, several important steps remain:

• Probate: If the deceased had a will, it may need to be filed with the probate court. Consult an estate attorney if the estate is complex.
• Vehicle Titles: Transfer vehicle ownership through your state's DMV using a death certificate and title.
• Tax Returns: A final tax return must be filed for the deceased for the year of death. Consult a tax professional if needed.
• Digital Accounts: Address email accounts, social media profiles, and cloud storage. Facebook and Google both have legacy contact and memorialization options.
• Thank You Notes: While there is no deadline, many families send thank you notes to those who sent flowers, food, donations, or attended the service. This can be done weeks or even months later.
• Self-Care: Grief is not linear. Give yourself permission to grieve on your own timeline. Consider joining a grief support group or speaking with a counselor — many hospice organizations offer free bereavement support for up to 13 months after a death.