What to Do When Someone Passes Away

Losing someone you care about is incredibly hard, and in the midst of grief, it can be overwhelming to figure out what needs to be done. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through it.

Right After the Death

Take a Moment to Breathe
  • Before doing anything, take a breath. You don’t need to handle everything at once. Lean on someone you trust if you can.


Have the Death Officially Confirmed
  • At a hospital or care facility: Staff will handle this.
  • At home (expected): Call the hospice (if enrolled) or the person’s physician.
  • At home (unexpected): Call emergency services (911). A coroner or medical examiner may need to be involved.


Call Close Family or Friends
  • Reach out to immediate family and those closest to the person. You don’t have to notify everyone right away—just start with a few trusted people.


Make Arrangements for the Body
  • Contact Us. We can help you through the process. If they had prearranged plans, the process may already be set in motion.

In the Days That Follow

Find Out If They Left Any Wishes or a Will
  • They may have left written instructions for their funeral or a will naming someone to take charge of things (an executor).


Choose a Funeral Home and Plan a Service
  • We can help guide you. Whether it’s a traditional funeral, a memorial, or a celebration of life, do what feels most meaningful to you and what you believe your loved one would have wanted. If they pre-planned this will all be taken care of.



Order Death Certificates
  • You’ll need these for handling their affairs—request several copies through the funeral home.
  • You’ll need them for banks, insurance, title transfers, etc.


Taking Care of Their Affairs

Secure Their Home and Belongings
  • Lock their home, car, and valuable items. 
  • Care for pets, plants, or mail.


Notify Important Institutions
  • Banks, insurance companies, credit card providers
  • Their employer, if they were still working
  • Government offices (Social Security, Veterans Affairs, etc.)

Begin Estate Process

  • If there’s a will, the executor will file it with probate court.
  • If there’s no will, the court will appoint an administrator.
  • Consider hiring an estate or probate attorney.


Notify:
  • Social Security Administration (SSA)
  • Banks and credit card companies
  • Life insurance providers
  • Pension providers
  • DMV, to cancel driver’s license
  • Post office, to forward mail


Handle Digital and Personal Affairs
  • Close or memorialize social media accounts.
  • Cancel subscriptions, memberships, and utilities.
  • Clear or transfer ownership of digital assets (photos, emails, domains, etc.).

Emotional and Practical Support

Grieve in Your Own Way
  • There’s no right timeline. Whether you want to talk, cry, be alone, or seek comfort in others—it’s all valid.
  • Support groups and grief counselors can really help, especially when the pain feels isolating.
  • Let people help with meals, errands, and childcare.
  • Take care of your own physical and emotional health.
  • Find Resources


Celebrate Their Life
  • When you’re ready, gather with others to remember your loved one—share stories, photos, music, or anything else that made them who they were.