Checklist of Things to do after a Loved One Dies

After the death of a loved one there are many decisions to make, people to notify and events to coordinate. The following is a checklist of responsibilities and tasks that may need to be done following a death. Review the checklist below and connect with close family or friends proactively to put everyone in the best position upon your passing.  

Medical:

Talk with doctors and other medical personnel about post-mortem decisions:

• What was the cause of death?
• Will there be an autopsy?
• Will you donate the organs/tissue of the deceased?

Obtain a copy of the death certificate and make at least 10 copies of it.

Communication:

• Notify close friends and family of the loved one's death.
• Notify their employer if the deceased had a job.
• Notify your employer of the situation.
• Prepare an obituary or death notice for the newspaper.
• Cancel other services including meals-on-wheels deliveries or physical therapist visits.
• Notify the Social Security Administration of the death, and apply for survivor benefits if applicable.

If there are many people to contact, consider delegating the responsibility of contacting other friends and acquaintances to someone else.

Social Media Accounts:

You may want to deactivate, delete or alter various social media accounts that the deceased set up.

• Facebook: Someone who holds a Facebook account can choose to preselect what will happen to their account in the event of death. This can also be done by anyone from the deceased’s estate. An account can either be memorialized (profile will remain active and feature the word “remembering” next to the user’s name) or deleted. If the username and password are known, these adjustments can be made in the “settings” section. If the username and password are not known, someone from the estate can contact Facebook directly.
• Twitter: An authorized member of the deceased’s estate can contact Twitter to request the deactivation of the account and/or the removal of certain images. Twitter may ask for verifying information, such as a copy of a death certificate and a copy of your ID.
• Instagram: A member of the deceased’s estate can contact Instagram to request the memorialization or removal of an Instagram account. Instagram will likely request the deceased’s birth and death certificate and proof that you manage his or her estate.
• LinkedIn: Users or a member of the deceased’s estate can fill out a form (https://help.linkedin.com/app/ask/path/ts-rdmlp) to request the removal of a deceased person’s profile. Someone from LinkedIn may follow up and request additional information.

The Funeral:

Determine if the deceased left instructions for or pre-arranged their funeral, cremation or burial. Contact the funeral home or other service about the disposition of the body. Compile a list of information about the deceased for the funeral home. Be sure to include:

• The full name of your loved one and any nicknames they used
• Their date of birth
• Their place of birth
• Their Social Security Number
• Their father's name and mother's maiden name
• Their occupation
• Proof of military service if they were a veteran
• The names of any clubs or organizations in which the deceased was a member
• The name of an organization, charity or cause to which people can make donation in the name of the deceased as a memorial

You will also want to make a list of people who are willing to serve in various capacities at the funeral/memorial service (pallbearers, speakers, etc.).

Property:

• Arrange for the immediate care of any dependents of the deceased.
• Arrange for a house-sitter to look after the deceased's home.
• Arrange to have mail picked up and cancel any newspaper deliveries.
• Make sure the deceased's bills, including those for their mortgage, rent or utilities are paid.
• Make sure any valuables including jewelry, cash and antiques are safe in the deceased's home. If they are not, remove the valuables and store them in a safe location.
• Locate copies of the deceased's financial and legal documents including their will or living trust, mortgages, titles, deeds, licenses and identification papers. Other important documents include insurance policies, financial statements, military certificates and tax returns.
• Check insurance policies for death-related benefits.
• If you are a surviving spouse, partner or dependent look into transferring titles and deeds to shared assets and property.
• If the deceased kept a safe deposit box locate it and inventory its contents.
• Transfer shared policies and accounts to your name if you are a spouse or surviving partner. This can include opening your own credit card or bank account, and transferring utility accounts to only your name.
• If the deceased was a beneficiary for your insurance policies or in your will you will want to change the documents as necessary.