What to Do When Someone Dies: A Practical Checklist
The hours after someone dies are disorienting in a way that is hard to describe until you are in them. You know you need to do things. You have no idea what those things are or in what order. And nobody hands you a guide.
The hours after someone dies are disorienting in a way that is hard to describe until you are in them. You know you need to do things. You have no idea what those things are or in what order. And nobody hands you a guide.
This checklist covers what to do when someone dies, broken into time periods so you know what is urgent and what can wait. Not everything here will apply to your situation, and that is fine. Use what helps.
Once the practical pieces are in motion, one thing that helps many families is creating a permanent place to remember the person. TributeVine lets you build a free online memorial with photos, their story, and a space for anyone who loved them to leave a memory.
In the First Hours: What to Do When Someone Dies at Home
If the death happens at home, there are immediate steps before anything else can move forward.
- Call 911 or the hospice nurse. If the person was under hospice care, call the hospice line first. They will guide what happens next. If the death was unexpected, call 911. Do not move the body.
- Wait for the official pronouncement. A medical professional must officially pronounce the death. This has to happen before the body can be moved by a funeral home.
- Contact the funeral home. You do not need to have everything decided. Just let them know so they can transport the body when you are ready.
- Notify immediate family. Call close family members before word spreads any other way. Let them hear it from you, not from a social media post.
- Do not rush. You do not need to solve everything today. The steps below can wait a few hours or a few days.
If the death happened in a hospital or care facility, the staff there will handle the immediate steps and guide you through the next ones.
What to Do When Someone Dies: Checklist for the First Week
These are the tasks that need to happen within the first few days, though not all at once.
- Get copies of the death certificate. You will need multiple certified copies — typically 8 to 12. Banks, insurers, and government agencies all require originals.
- Notify the Social Security Administration. If the deceased received Social Security benefits, notify SSA as soon as possible. Benefits for the month of death may need to be returned.
- Contact their employer. If they were still working, notify HR to begin any survivor benefit or pension processes.
- Secure the home and property. If they lived alone, make sure the home is locked and that someone responsible has access.
- Locate important documents. Will, trust documents, insurance policies, financial account information, and any advance directives should all be found and stored safely.
- Begin planning the memorial or funeral. Whether it is a traditional funeral, a cremation, or a celebration of life, decisions need to be made. You do not need to do this alone.
Planning a Memorial Service
Planning a memorial does not have to be complicated. The decisions are personal, and there is no required format.
- Decide on the type of service: traditional funeral, celebration of life, graveside service, or private gathering
- Choose a venue: funeral home chapel, place of worship, family home, outdoor location, or community space
- Set the date. Give family members who need to travel enough time to make arrangements.
- Decide who will speak. You do not need a formal eulogy. A few people sharing specific memories works just as well.
- Choose music, readings, or rituals that reflect who the person was
- Arrange food and reception if you plan to gather afterward
- Create a program or order of service so guests know what to expect
For a full list of ideas, including 40+ specific touches for a celebration of life, see our companion guide on celebration of life ideas.
Creating an Online Memorial for Someone Who Died
An online memorial is a permanent page where anyone who loved the person can find their story, contribute memories, and see photos. It fills a real gap that a one-day service cannot.
- People who could not travel can participate and leave messages
- Family members can contribute photos and memories from anywhere in the world
- The memorial stays up indefinitely, not just for a week like a newspaper obituary
- Future generations can find it and learn about the person
TributeVine lets you build a free online memorial in about ten minutes. You can add their name, dates, a photo, a written tribute, and open it for friends and family to leave their own memories. It is free to create.
Handling Accounts, Finances, and Legal Tasks
This section can wait until the first wave of grief settles, but it does need to happen within the first few weeks.
- File for probate if the estate requires it. A probate attorney can advise.
- Notify banks and financial institutions. They will freeze accounts and begin the transfer process.
- Cancel subscriptions, credit cards, and memberships to stop recurring charges
- Transfer or cancel vehicle titles and registrations
- Notify the DMV and passport office to prevent identity fraud
- Notify the IRS and state tax authority for the final tax return
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to contact anyone immediately after someone dies?
If the death was at home and unexpected, call 911. If under hospice care, call the hospice line. Beyond that, there is no legal requirement to notify anyone in the first hour. Immediate family comes first. Everything else can wait until you are ready.
How long do I have to plan a funeral or memorial service?
Most families hold a service within one to two weeks of the death. If you need more time for people to travel, or if you are planning a larger celebration, a few weeks is completely acceptable. There is no law requiring a specific timeline for a memorial service.
How many death certificates do I need?
Most families request 8 to 12 certified copies. Each institution that needs to process something related to the estate (banks, insurers, government agencies) typically requires an original certified copy, not a photocopy. It is cheaper to order extra upfront than to reorder later.
What happens to online accounts and social media when someone dies?
Most platforms allow you to memorialize or remove an account with proof of death. Facebook offers a memorialization option where the profile remains but no new activity can occur. Google allows account access to a designated person. Check each platform individually, as policies differ.
Is there a simpler way to share news of the death and accept condolences?
An online memorial page is one of the most practical options. Instead of sending individual messages or posting on social media, you can share a single link where family and friends can read about the person, see photos, and leave their condolences. It keeps everything in one place.
Take It One Step at a Time
You do not have to solve everything at once. The checklist above is meant to give you clarity, not to overwhelm you. Focus on the next step, not all of them at once.
When you are ready to create something permanent for the person you lost, build their free memorial on TributeVine. It is a simple way to share their story with everyone who loved them, now and for years to come.