What to Do When Someone Dies

Start with What Needs Attention Now

Make sure the home, pets, and anyone who depended on the person are cared for. Ask someone you trust to help keep a record of calls, documents, and appointments.

Ask the funeral director how to obtain certified copies of the death certificate. Different organizations may need their own copy. Keep the original will and other important documents somewhere safe.

Who Needs to Know?

Confirm whether the funeral director has notified Social Security. If not, contact Social Security promptly. Then make a list of the organizations the person used. Each will explain its own process and the authority or documents it needs.

• Social Security and any other benefit providers.
• Banks, credit card companies, insurers, and pension administrators.
• Credit bureaus, the state motor vehicle agency, and other relevant government offices.
• Utilities, landlords, memberships, subscriptions, and digital services.

Gather Information Before Making Big Decisions

Keep a working list of accounts, property, regular bills, and important contacts. A recent bank statement can help identify recurring payments. Put unanswered questions on the list rather than feeling you must solve each one immediately.

Before closing or transferring an account, ask what is required and who has authority to act. Being a family member or having a copy of a will does not necessarily give you access.

Be Careful with Requests for Payment

Debts are generally paid from the estate. Being related to someone does not, by itself, make you responsible for their debts. Joint debts, a spouse’s obligations, and state laws can change the answer.

If you are unsure, ask for the details in writing and speak with an attorney before agreeing to pay from your own money. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains these exceptions in the source linked below.

What Can Wait for a More Informed Decision?

Selling property, distributing belongings of value, and making promises about who will inherit deserve a clearer picture first. Gather the records, learn which assets belong to the estate, and ask the appropriate court or an estate attorney about the next steps.

The checklist below is a place to organize the work. It is not a filing schedule: court papers, tax notices, and benefits letters can have their own deadlines.

Your Practical Checklist

Check items as you go. You can print a copy to share or keep nearby.

• Arrange care for dependents, pets, and the home.
• Ask about certified death certificates and keep the original will safe.
• Confirm that Social Security has been notified.
• List banks, insurers, pensions, and benefit providers to contact.
• Check the instructions for notifying credit bureaus and the motor vehicle agency.
• Review utilities, subscriptions, and memberships before making changes.
• Make a list of assets, debts, account ownership, and named beneficiaries.
• Record any court, tax, or benefits deadlines.
• Ask the appropriate court or an attorney which estate procedure applies.
• Keep a dated log of calls, documents sent, and next steps.