What Do You Do After Someone Dies? A Complete Step-by-Step Checklist

The short answer: After someone dies, there are both immediate tasks (within hours) and longer-term administrative responsibilities (over weeks and months). The first priority is taking care of yourself and being with the person who died. Then: call hospice or emergency services, notify close family, contact a funeral home, and begin the administrative process of death certificates and estate management in the days and weeks that follow.

Immediately After the Death (Minutes to Hours)

First: There is no rush. If the person died at home in hospice, you do not need to immediately call anyone. You can sit with the body, gather family, say your goodbyes. The body can remain at home for hours before the funeral home is called. Take the time you need.

If the person died at home without hospice: Call 911. In most jurisdictions, any expected or unexpected death at home without an attending physician present requires emergency medical services to respond. If the person was under hospice care, call the hospice nurse rather than 911 — they will handle the pronouncement of death.

Notify close family and friends. Delegate this to a trusted person if possible — one person can coordinate a phone tree rather than each person individually reaching out.

Contact a funeral home. The funeral home will transport the body, file the death certificate, and handle disposition (burial or cremation). You do not need to choose a funeral home immediately, but the body cannot remain at home indefinitely without refrigeration.

In the First 24–72 Hours

• Obtain multiple certified copies of the death certificate (typically 10–15 — banks, insurance companies, government agencies each require originals)
• Notify the deceased's employer (if still working)
• Locate and secure important documents: will, trust documents, insurance policies, financial accounts, deeds
• Arrange for care of dependents (children, pets, anyone in the deceased's care)
• Make funeral or memorial arrangements
• Notify immediate family and close friends directly

In the First Month

• File for death benefits: life insurance claims, Social Security survivor benefits (if applicable), pension/retirement benefits, Veterans Affairs benefits (if applicable)
• Notify Social Security Administration (they will stop payments; SS will need to reclaim any payments made after death)
• Notify financial institutions: banks, credit cards, investment accounts
• Open estate or probate proceedings if the deceased had assets requiring probate
• Cancel subscriptions, memberships, and recurring charges
• Redirect mail
• Change utilities and accounts to the estate or new account holder
• Notify the post office, state DMV, and voter registration

In the First Year

• File the deceased's final income tax return (due April 15 of the following year)
• File an estate tax return if the estate exceeds applicable thresholds
• Complete probate proceedings
• Distribute assets per the will or trust
• Update beneficiary designations on your own accounts (death often prompts people to update their own estate planning)
• Update your own will and advance directives

Getting Help With the Paperwork

The administrative burden of death is significant and often falls on the bereaved at their most vulnerable moment. An estate attorney can handle probate. A CPA can handle the tax filings. A death doula or funeral director can guide immediate decisions. Some families hire a "death concierge" or administrative support specialist for these tasks. You do not have to manage this alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the first thing to do after someone dies at home?

If the person was under hospice care, call the hospice nurse — they handle the death pronouncement. If not under hospice, call 911. Before calling anyone, give yourself and family members time to sit with the person who died, say goodbyes, and gather if possible. There is no legal or practical requirement to immediately call anyone in the first few minutes. Take the time you need.

How many death certificates do you need after a death?

Plan to order 10–15 certified copies of the death certificate. Banks, insurance companies, retirement account managers, government agencies (Social Security, VA), and other institutions typically each require an original certified copy — they will not accept photocopies. Order more than you think you'll need; getting additional copies later is slower and sometimes more expensive.

When does Social Security need to be notified after a death?

Notify Social Security as soon as possible after a death. Social Security will reclaim any payment made for the month of death or after — if the deceased received a direct deposit payment after the date of death, that money must be returned. The surviving spouse and dependent children may be eligible for survivor benefits; contact Social Security to apply.

When must a will be filed with the court after a death?

Timing varies by state. In most states, a will must be filed with the probate court within 30–60 days of the death, though the probate process itself may take much longer. If the deceased had a living trust, probate may not be required. Consult an estate attorney in your state to understand the specific requirements and timeline.

Can a death doula help with after-death administrative tasks?

Some death doulas offer after-death administrative support as part of their services or as an additional service. More specialized 'death administrative support' or 'estate concierge' professionals specifically assist with the paperwork burden. An estate attorney is essential for legal matters (probate, tax filings). Death doulas are most valuable for the human support aspects — being present, helping with memorial planning, and providing grief support — during this overwhelming period.

Renidy connects grieving families with compassionate death doulas and AI-powered funeral planning tools. Try our free AI funeral planner or find a death doula near you.