What to do when someone dies: a step-by-step checklist

The first step depends on where and how the person died. A hospital, nursing facility, hospice team, medical professional, emergency service, medical examiner, or other local authority may be involved before a funeral provider can take custody. Follow the instructions given for that situation and ask who is responsible for the next handoff.

If the death was unexpected or the correct next step is unclear, contact the appropriate local emergency or medical authority before moving the person or making other arrangements. Procedures can vary by state and locality.

You do not have to make every funeral decision at once. Start by identifying the type of help you need: a full-service funeral home, direct cremation provider, burial provider, or another arrangement that fits the family's wishes.

The FTC Funeral Rule gives consumers important pricing rights when dealing with funeral providers. You can ask for price information by phone, request itemized prices, and generally choose individual goods and services instead of being forced into a package.

Create one place for the basic information that funeral providers, government agencies, insurers, banks, and other organizations may request. Keeping this together reduces repeated searching and helps family members stay consistent.

Certified death certificates are issued through the vital records system for the state where the death occurred. The ordering process, fees, eligibility rules, and processing times vary by state.

Do not assume every organization needs an original certified copy. Ask each bank, insurer, pension administrator, government program, or other recipient what it requires before ordering or mailing extra copies.

The Social Security Administration says funeral homes generally report deaths to Social Security, so families usually do not need to make a separate report. Ask the funeral director to confirm whether the report was submitted. If no funeral home is involved or the death was not reported, contact Social Security.

Certain surviving family members may qualify for monthly survivor benefits. A qualifying spouse or certain children may also be eligible for the one-time lump-sum death payment. Eligibility is individual, so confirm it directly with Social Security.

After the most urgent funeral decisions are underway, make a list of life insurance, health insurance, pensions, bank and investment accounts, utilities, subscriptions, property, debts, and other obligations. Note who is responsible for each item and what documentation it requires.

Do not assume a relative personally owes a debt just because the person who died was a family member. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains that debts are generally paid from the estate, with exceptions for situations such as shared legal responsibility or certain state-law rules. Estate and probate rules vary, so get qualified legal help when the responsibility is unclear.

Some decisions are urgent, but many are not. Funeral arrangements and care of the person who died may need prompt attention, while account closures, claims, probate, property, and other administrative work can continue over weeks or months.

Use a checklist, assign tasks to trusted people, record who was contacted, and keep copies of important documents and confirmations. The goal is to reduce missed steps without treating every task as an emergency.