What to Do After Someone Dies
A step-by-step guide
AfterKin walks you through the first hours, the funeral, paperwork, probate, and the grief that follows.
What is happening right now?
Choose the one closest to where you are. You can come back for the rest later.
The few things that need doing in the first 24 hours, and what can wait.
See the first steps ↓ At home Someone died at homeWho to call for an expected or unexpected death, and when the funeral home can come.
Read first steps → Hospital Someone died in a hospitalRelease forms, funeral home transfer, and what to ask before leaving.
See hospital steps → Executor I am handling the estateGather assets, debts, documents, and account details before paying anyone out.
Start the inventory → Funeral Planning the funeralBurial or cremation, choosing a funeral home, costs, and low-cost options if money is tight.
Plan the funeral →The first 24 hours
You do not need to do everything today. These are the few things that come first. The rest can wait.
If the death was unexpected or happened at home without hospice, call 911 first and do not move the body. If the person was in hospice care, call the hospice provider instead.
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Immediately
Have the death officially pronounced
A doctor, hospice nurse, or medical examiner must do this. In a hospital or care facility, staff will handle it.
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Within hours
Tell close family
Choose one person to be the main contact so news and questions flow through one place.
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Within 24 hours
Contact a funeral home
They will transport the body and explain next steps. You do not need to decide on services yet.
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Within 24–48 hours
Secure the home and valuables
If they lived alone, lock up their home and write down anything valuable. Do not give belongings away yet.
Want the rest of the steps in one list?
Our free after-loss checklist covers the first days, the funeral, and executor and probate tasks, so you do not have to hold it all in your head. We will email it to you.
Helpful tools
Use these when a quick estimate or checklist would help more than another article.