The First 7 Things to Do After Someone Dies

Grief Comes First

Before anything else: you do not have to rush. Most administrative deadlines are measured in weeks or months, not hours. The single most important thing in the immediate aftermath of a death is allowing yourself and your family space to grieve. This guide covers what genuinely needs to happen, in the order it needs to happen — but "immediately" rarely means today.

1. Get the Death Certificates

Order more than you think you need. Death certificates are required by nearly every institution you'll deal with — banks, insurance companies, the Social Security Administration, the IRS, the DMV, pension administrators, and more. Order at least 10 to 12 certified copies from the funeral home or vital records office. Certified copies (not photocopies) are what institutions require. It is much easier and cheaper to order extras now than to go back for more later.

The funeral director typically handles ordering death certificates as part of their services. If you're working without a funeral home, contact your county or state vital records office directly. Costs vary by state but are typically $10–$25 per certified copy.

2. Notify Social Security Immediately

This is the most time-sensitive step. If the deceased was receiving Social Security benefits, you must notify the SSA as soon as possible — ideally within days of the death. The SSA will stop payments upon notification, but any payments received after the month of death must be returned. If direct deposit payments arrive after death and you spend them, you'll owe that money back to the federal government.

Call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or notify the funeral home, which can report the death on your behalf. Do not wait on this step.

3. Secure the Home and Physical Assets

If the deceased lived alone, the home and its contents need to be secured. This means changing the locks if necessary, ensuring valuable items are safe, and pausing recurring deliveries that might signal an unoccupied home. If the deceased had vehicles, make sure they're in a secure location and insured.

Do not dispose of or distribute any property yet — even items that seem minor. Everything is potentially part of the estate until you understand the full picture.

4. Locate the Will and Any Estate Documents

Search for an original signed will, trust documents, and any "letter of instruction" the deceased may have left. Common places: home filing cabinets, fireproof safes, safe deposit boxes at a bank, or with the deceased's attorney. The will names the executor (the person legally responsible for administering the estate) and dictates how assets are distributed.

If you find a will, do not alter or destroy it under any circumstances — doing so can be a felony.

5. Contact an Estate Attorney If the Estate Is Complex

Not every estate requires an attorney, but many benefit from one. Situations that typically warrant legal counsel include: estates with significant assets (over $100,000), real property in the deceased's name alone, business interests, complex family situations (blended families, minor children, disputes), debts that exceed assets, or if someone is contesting the will.

Many estate attorneys offer free initial consultations. Even a single hour of legal advice early in the process can prevent costly mistakes.

6. Notify the Employer

If the deceased was employed, notify the employer's HR department promptly. This triggers important processes: stopping payroll, activating life insurance benefits, handling any pension or 401(k) accounts, and arranging final paycheck and accrued vacation pay. Ask HR specifically about any group life insurance policies — many people forget these exist.

7. Begin Notifying Financial Institutions

Make a list of all known banks, investment accounts, credit cards, mortgage lenders, and insurance policies. Contact each institution to notify them of the death and ask what documentation they require. Most will ask for a certified death certificate and, eventually, documentation proving your authority to act (Letters Testamentary from the probate court, or a small estate affidavit).

Do not close accounts yet — understand what's in them first. Joint accounts typically pass automatically to the surviving joint holder. Accounts with named beneficiaries (like IRAs or life insurance) pass directly outside probate.

What Comes Next

After these first steps, you'll enter the longer process of estate administration: opening a probate case if needed, obtaining an EIN for the estate, opening an estate bank account, paying debts, filing taxes, and distributing assets. That process takes months — and that's normal. You don't have to figure it all out in week one.