Losing someone close to you can be one of the most difficult and gruelling experiences we go through in life. More than just the death itself, the process of preparing for a funeral can be just as overwhelming, compounded by grief and the necessity to make significant decisions immediately. 

We at AfterLife HQ extend our deepest sympathies and condolences if you’re reading this during such a difficult time. We hope that this guide brings you some much-needed guidance and consolation, serving as a compassionate and informative resource to assist you as you navigate through all the myriad tasks, decisions, and hard emotions that accompany the passing of a loved one.

With this structured checklist, we detail all the most important steps you need to take following a loved one’s death. This checklist is intended to guide you through the immediate actions, reflecting common legal and procedural requirements in the United States. 

1. Inform Close Family, Friends, and Colleagues

One of the first things to do after someone has passed is to notify everyone who was close to the deceased about their passing. This can include family members, close friends, co-workers, or anyone who knew the deceased to an extent. 

Now we know it can be emotionally taxing to tell everyone you know individually, so we recommend asking a trusted friend or family member to help disseminate the information. This not only helps manage the emotional load but also ensures that all necessary parties are informed as soon as possible. 

2. Obtain Legal Documentation of Death

Securing the death certificate is an essential next step if not one of the most important. This legal document is required to settle the deceased’s estate and to notify various legal institutions of their passing. You can obtain death certificates through the funeral home or directly from the local vital records office. Ideally, you may want to request multiple copies for bank, insurance, and other government institution requirements. 

3. Notify Formal Institutions

After your friends and family, you will need to inform several formal institutions of your loved one’s death. This can include banks, credit card companies, insurance companies, and government agencies such as Social Security and the IRS. Each institution will have its own process for closing accounts or adjusting records, so they may require a copy of the death certificate to do so. 

4. Gather Necessary Paperwork

The next step should be to secure important documents such as the will, trusts, insurance policies, real estate deeds, and personal letters that may outline the deceased’s wishes. These documents may guide many of your decisions and are necessary for legal processes and financial settlements.

5. Secure Assets and Document Everything

In addition to vital documents, you will need to secure the deceased’s various assets as well and compile a list of all pertinent financial information. This includes bank accounts, investment portfolios, and personal property like vehicles and real estate. If you are the executor or have power of attorney, you may have easier access to this information. If not, you can start gathering documents and contact financial institutions and advisors.

6. Make Arrangements for the Funeral

If the deceased specified any particular wishes or preferences for their body’s internment and funeral service, adhere to these as closely as possible. If no specific instructions were left, you may need to make the decisions yourself or consult with close family members to decide on what the deceased would have wanted. The tools we offer here at AfterLifeHQ can be useful to help you compare funeral services and costs and make an informed decision that respects your loved one’s wishes and memory and your family’s needs. 

Once you’ve decided on the service you want, then it’s time to start planning. Planning a funeral is one of the best ways to honor your loved one after they’ve passed and can be a profound way to remember them and even get to know them.

7. Settle the Estate

If there is a will and it clearly distributes the deceased’s assets, you might be able to avoid the probate process. However, if there is no will, or the estate’s distribution is not clearly defined by it, probate may be necessary. It may be best to consult with a legal professional on how to proceed based on your specific circumstances.

8. Take Care of Yourself and Dependents

Throughout this hard and tumultuous time, always remember to look after yourself and your well-being. Delegate tasks to trusted family members or friends wherever possible whenever you start feeling overwhelmed. If the deceased left behind any living children or pets, make immediate arrangements for their care and support.

Remember that this is a period of mourning and everyone grieves in many different ways. You are still grieving! Be sure to take some much-needed breaks in between the planning and schedule some time to take your mind off of things — indulge in a hobby, take a walk, exercise, get some counseling, or talk with a close friend or family member about what you’re going through. Just don’t forget about your own health and wellness, especially during what could be an emotionally exhausting time. 

We at Afterlife HQ understand that this is a painful time filled with many tasks that require your attention. Our goal is to make this period as smooth and manageable as possible for you. By using our comprehensive pricing data, helpful guides, and extensive funeral home directory, you can find the support and resources you need to navigate this challenging phase of your life.

Sources

This article was compiled with information from various reliable sources to ensure accuracy and relevance. Please consult a legal or financial advisor for specific guidance related to your personal situation.

• https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/grief-and-mourning/what-do-after-someone-dies
• https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/legal-issues/what-to-do-when-someone-dies/
• https://www.unitedway.org/my-smart-money/immediate-needs/a-family-member-has-died/immediate-steps-to-take-when-a-loved-one-dies
• https://trustandwill.com/learn/what-to-do-when-someone-dies
• https://www.gov.uk/when-someone-dies