Life Event Checklist

What to Do After Someone Dies Checklist

When someone dies, grief and administrative responsibilities can arrive at the same time. This checklist helps you organize the practical matters that may need attention—from immediate arrangements and death certificates to benefits, accounts, insurance, property, taxes and estate responsibilities.

Important: Not every task belongs to every family member. Legal authority matters. Before closing accounts, transferring property, changing ownership or distributing assets, confirm who is legally authorized to act.

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Before You Begin

This is an organizing tool—not a probate instruction manual.

The exact process after a death depends on family circumstances, the state or country involved, whether there is a will or trust, how assets are titled, beneficiary designations, debts, taxes and who has legal authority.

Use this page to see what may require attention and to keep tasks from disappearing into memory during a difficult time.

Do not assume access equals authority.

Knowing a password, possessing a bank card, being named in a will or being the closest relative does not automatically mean someone has legal authority to manage every account or asset. Confirm the applicable documents and requirements before acting.

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Section 01

Immediate Responsibilities

Focus first on the people, care and arrangements that cannot reasonably wait.

Confirm the death has been officially pronounced when required. The process differs depending on where and how the death occurred.

Notify close family and essential contacts. Start with the people who need to know immediately rather than trying to contact everyone at once.

Contact the funeral home or provider handling arrangements. They can guide the next steps involving transportation, disposition and certificates.

Secure the home, pets, vehicles and immediate property. Make sure residences are locked, pets are cared for and urgent property issues are addressed.

Section 02

Death Certificates & Key Records

Many institutions will require certified documentation before they can make changes.

Determine how certified death certificates will be ordered. The funeral home or local vital-records office may help with the process.

Estimate how many certified copies may be needed. Different banks, insurers, courts and other institutions may have their own requirements.

Locate identification and key family records. This may include marriage, divorce, birth, military or other records relevant to benefits or estate matters.

Create one working file for administrative records. Keep copies of letters, receipts, certificates, notes and important correspondence together.

Section 03

Legal Authority

Find out who is actually authorized to manage the deceased person's affairs.

Locate the will, trust and other estate documents. Do not assume the person holding the documents is automatically the person legally authorized to act.

Identify the named executor, trustee or other responsible person. The role may differ depending on the asset and legal structure involved.

Determine whether probate or court appointment may be required. Requirements vary by jurisdiction and by how property was owned.

Consider whether legal guidance is appropriate. Complex estates, disputes, businesses, trusts, real estate or unclear authority can justify professional help.

Section 04

Funeral & Final Arrangements

Review known wishes, existing plans and the practical arrangements still required.

Check for prepaid funeral, burial or cremation arrangements. Look for contracts, cemetery records or instructions already put in place.

Review known wishes for the funeral or memorial. Check estate papers, family records or documented instructions before making assumptions.

Track funeral and related expenses. Keep receipts and records rather than relying on memory later.

Section 05

Family, Dependents & Care Responsibilities

Make sure people and animals who depended on the person are not overlooked.

Review immediate needs of children, dependents or household members. Consider housing, transportation, school, caregiving and ongoing financial responsibilities.

Confirm ongoing care for pets. Check for written instructions or designated caregivers.

Review guardianship or caregiving documents if applicable. Do not rely solely on informal assumptions when legal authority may be required.

Section 06

Social Security, Employer & Other Benefits

Benefits may stop, transfer or create survivor eligibility after a death.

Confirm whether Social Security has been notified. Funeral homes generally report deaths to Social Security, but confirmation may still be appropriate.

Check possible Social Security survivor benefits. Eligible spouses, divorced spouses, children or dependent parents may qualify.

Contact the employer or former employer if relevant. Ask about final wages, retirement plans, life insurance and other benefits.

Review pension, retirement and union benefits. Survivor options may depend on the particular plan and beneficiary designation.

Review veterans benefits if applicable. Military service may create burial, survivor or other benefit questions worth checking.

Section 07

Insurance

Locate policies before assuming what coverage exists or who receives a benefit.

Locate life insurance policies. Check individual, employer, association and other possible coverage.

Contact life insurance companies about claim requirements. Insurers can explain documentation and beneficiary claim procedures.

Review health coverage for surviving family members. A death can affect employer or household health coverage.

Review home, renters, auto and other property policies. Coverage may need to remain active while ownership or estate matters are resolved.

Section 08

Banking, Cash & Financial Accounts

Do not rush to close or transfer accounts before authority and ownership are understood.

Identify bank, credit union, brokerage and other financial accounts. Create an inventory before making changes.

Determine how each account is titled. Joint ownership, beneficiaries, trusts and individually owned accounts may be handled differently.

Review automatic deposits and withdrawals. Identify recurring income, subscriptions and bills without making unauthorized account changes.

Review how immediate household expenses will be paid. A surviving household may need a short-term cash plan while accounts and benefits are being sorted out.

Section 09

Bills, Credit & Debts

A bill existing does not automatically mean a relative personally owes it.

Create a list of recurring bills and debts. Include mortgages, rent, utilities, loans, credit cards and subscriptions.

Separate joint obligations from individual obligations. Do not assume responsibility for a debt simply because a creditor requests payment.

Protect essential household services. Utilities, housing and insurance may need careful handling while ownership or responsibility changes.

Section 10

Home, Vehicles & Other Property

Protect property before deciding how it will ultimately be transferred.

Secure homes, storage units and other property. Prevent avoidable loss while estate authority and ownership are being determined.

Locate deeds, vehicle titles and ownership records. How an asset is titled can affect the next step.

Maintain appropriate insurance coverage. Do not cancel property coverage simply because the owner has died.

Create or preserve an inventory of important property. Photos and records can help with estate administration and insurance questions.

Section 11

Will, Trust & Estate Administration

The estate process depends heavily on legal documents, ownership and local law.

Review the original will and any trust documents. Use the actual documents rather than relying on family recollection.

Identify assets that may pass outside a will. Beneficiary designations, joint ownership and trusts may control some assets.

Keep estate funds and personal funds properly separated. An executor or administrator should understand the required handling before moving money.

Track estate income, expenses and distributions. Good records can become important for taxes, beneficiaries and court reporting.

Section 12

Taxes

A death can create both a final individual tax responsibility and separate estate tax matters.

Determine who will handle the final individual income tax return. The surviving spouse or authorized representative may have filing responsibilities.

Check for prior unfiled tax returns. The representative may need to address earlier filing obligations as well.

Determine whether the estate needs its own tax identification number. An estate that receives income may have separate federal filing responsibilities.

Keep tax and estate financial records together. Preserve income records, expenses, tax forms and authorization documents.

Section 13

Digital Life

Digital accounts can contain financial, personal and sentimental information.

Identify important email, cloud, social and subscription accounts. Start with accounts that may contain important records or ongoing charges.

Check for documented digital legacy instructions. Some platforms provide legacy-contact or memorialization options.

Do not assume possession of a password gives legal authority. Account terms and applicable law may determine what access or changes are permitted.

Review recurring digital subscriptions. Cancel or transfer services only after confirming appropriate authority and household needs.

Section 14

Identity, Mail & Important Records

Protect personal information while important accounts and records are being settled.

Arrange for important mail to be monitored appropriately. Statements and official notices can reveal accounts or obligations that need attention.

Secure identity documents and sensitive records. Do not leave Social Security cards, tax records or financial documents unsecured.

Keep a record of institutions that have been notified. Record dates, names and requested follow-up rather than relying on memory.

Section 15

Later Follow-Up

Some responsibilities become clearer only after the immediate period has passed.

Review the surviving household's own beneficiaries and estate documents. A death can make existing beneficiary, power-of-attorney or estate choices outdated.

Review household income, budget and insurance needs. The financial structure of the household may have changed significantly.

Update emergency contacts and document locations. Remove outdated instructions and make sure the surviving household knows where essential records are kept.

Schedule a broader life review when the immediate work settles. Insurance, legal documents, money, housing, digital access and emergency planning may all deserve another look.

Priority Summary

Items marked Action Needed

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Four Things to Keep in Mind

Good organization matters more than doing everything immediately.

Confirm Authority

Before moving money, closing accounts or transferring property, know who is legally permitted to act.

Keep Records

Write down contacts, dates, expenses, certificates sent and follow-up still required.

Protect Property

Secure homes, vehicles, documents, digital information and other assets before making long-term decisions.

Do It in Stages

Not every account, document or estate task needs to be handled in the first few days.

Nothing is saved.

Your selections remain in this browser session only.

This checklist is for task status—not private estate records.

Do not enter Social Security numbers, account numbers, passwords, policy numbers, tax IDs or confidential legal information into this page.

Keep a Working Copy

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Official Resources

Some tasks should be checked at the source.

Social Security Administration

Information about reporting a death, the one-time death payment and possible survivor benefits.

Visit SSA →

Internal Revenue Service

Guidance for surviving spouses, executors, administrators and others handling a deceased person's tax matters.

Visit IRS →

IRS Publication 559

Federal tax guidance for survivors, executors and administrators managing a deceased person's estate.

Read Publication 559 →

When the Immediate Work Settles

Review what changed for the people who remain.

A death can affect beneficiaries, insurance, household money, legal documents, emergency contacts and other parts of the surviving household's plan.

Start the Annual Life Review →