What to Do After a Loved One Passes Away

Sep 24

It is difficult losing a loved one. During this emotional time, it can be overwhelming to navigate the necessary steps that follow a death. Here is a practical guide outlining what to do after your loved one passes away.

1. Obtain a Death Certificate

The first step you'll need to take is to secure official documentation of the death. Typically, a funeral home can help you request multiple copies of the death certificate, which is vital for legal and financial matters. You'll likely need certified copies for tasks like settling the estate, contacting insurance companies, or canceling accounts.

2. Notify Family and Friends

Reach out to close family members and friends to inform them of the passing. This may be a difficult conversation, but it is essential for sharing the news with those who cared deeply for the deceased. Consider enlisting help from other family members to coordinate communication. If your loved one was still working at the time of their death, you should also notify their employer of their passing, and ask how their payroll and any death benefits will be handled.

3. Make Funeral Arrangements

Work with a funeral home to plan the services, as they can guide you through this process. Discuss the wishes of your loved one and any traditions your family follows. Make preliminary decisions about the type of service, burial, or cremation, as well as potential locations and budgets. If your loved one had a Health Care Directive, their wishes may be written as part of the Health Care Directive.

4. Secure Property and Gather Important Documents

Secure your loved one’s home and vehicle and locate essential documents, which may include:

Any estate planning documents, including a trust or a will
Life insurance policies
Bank statements
Real estate deeds
Tax returns
Credit card statements

Having these documents will be crucial for managing and settling the estate. Ask family and friends who live nearby to water plants, and make sure the home and vehicles are still secure. Look for passwords and laptops. Contact the post office to forward your loved one’s mail.

5. Review the Will and Estate Planning Documents

If your loved one had a will or an estate plan, review these documents to understand their wishes regarding asset distribution, care for dependents, and the appointment of a personal representative or trustee to settle their estate.

6. Contact an Attorney

Engaging an experienced estate attorney can help you navigate the estate administration process. The attorney’s role is to guide and help make the estate administration process smoother, and make sure you are aware of what your responsibilities are if you are the personal representative or trustee of the estate.

7. Cancel Services and Accounts

Begin the process of canceling subscriptions, memberships, and other recurring expenses that are no longer necessary, such as:

Internet service
Credit cards
Entertainment subscription services such as Netflix, Hulu, etc.

Make sure to confirm the cancellation of any recurring payments to avoid complications. You may want to keep the homeowner’s insurance and vehicle insurance going to cover any damage that may occur before the home and vehicle can be transferred to the rightful beneficiaries.

8. Notify Relevant Agencies

Inform Social Security, the DMV, and any relevant government agencies about the death. This is necessary to stop any benefits and prevent identity theft. The funeral home can often assist with notifying Social Security.

9. Take Care of Immediate Financial Matters

Assess financial obligations, such as mortgages, loans, and taxes. Make arrangements for payments or deferments as necessary. This may involve reaching out to creditors or the mortgage company to inform them of the death.

10. Give Yourself Time to Grieve

Lastly, allow yourself the time and space to grieve. Mourning is a personal journey and can take much longer than expected. Seek support through friends, family, or professional counseling to help navigate this challenging emotional landscape.

Taking things one step at a time can help ease the burden and guide you through the necessary actions. Remember to take care of yourself during this process, as healing follows at its own pace.

Mai Yang