In the First 24 Hours
The hours immediately after a death are often a blur of emotion and unexpected tasks. Here's what needs to happen first — and what can wait.
If the death was unexpected or unattended at home, call 911 first. Do not move the body. If the death was expected (hospice, terminal illness), call the hospice provider or the person's physician — not 911. They will issue the death pronouncement.
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Funeral & Memorial Services
Planning a funeral while grieving is genuinely hard. Understanding your options — and the real costs — helps you make decisions without pressure.
Funerals in the U.S. average between $7,000 and $12,000. A direct cremation (the most affordable option) typically runs $700–$2,500. You have the legal right to request an itemized price list from any funeral home — the FTC Funeral Rule requires them to provide it.
For a complete walkthrough of funeral planning, see our guide: How to Plan a Funeral: Complete Checklist & Cost Guide.
- Choose burial vs. cremation (check for any pre-arranged plans or wishes)
- Select a funeral home and review itemized pricing
- Plan the service: memorial, graveside, celebration of life, or private
- Choose a burial plot or cremation urn and storage
- Write and publish the obituary — see our obituary writing guide
- Select pallbearers and officiant
- Arrange flowers, music, program, and reception (if applicable)
- Notify contacts, post on social media if appropriate
You are not required to purchase a casket from the funeral home. Third-party casket retailers like Costco or Overnight Caskets sell identical caskets for 50–70% less, and funeral homes are legally required to accept them.
Obituary, flowers & memorial services
Death Certificates & Key Documents
Death certificates are the foundational document for nearly every step that follows. Order more than you think you'll need — reordering later is a hassle.
The funeral home typically files the death certificate with the state and can order certified copies for you. The cost is usually $10–$25 per copy depending on the state.
- Order 10–12 certified copies of the death certificate
- Locate the original will and any trust documents
- Find birth certificate, Social Security card, passport
- Locate marriage/divorce certificates (if applicable)
- Gather insurance policies (life, health, mortgage)
- Find military discharge papers (DD-214) if applicable
- Locate property deeds, vehicle titles, and financial statements
- Notify the Social Security Administration (1-800-772-1213)
Legal & Estate Matters
Estate settlement involves legal processes that vary by state. An estate attorney can save significant time, money, and family conflict — especially for larger or complicated estates.
Probate is the court-supervised process of validating a will and distributing assets. Not all assets go through probate — assets with named beneficiaries (life insurance, retirement accounts, joint accounts) pass directly. A living trust generally avoids probate entirely. Learn more in our guide: What Is Probate? How the Probate Process Works Step by Step.
- File the will with the probate court in the deceased's county
- Hire an estate attorney (recommended for estates over $150k)
- Obtain letters testamentary (executor authority document)
- Notify creditors and pay valid debts from estate funds
- File final federal and state income tax returns
- File estate tax return if applicable (estates over ~$13M federally)
- Distribute assets to heirs per the will or state intestacy laws
- Close the estate with the probate court
For a full executor walkthrough, see: How to Settle an Estate: A Complete Executor's Guide.
If the deceased died without a will ("intestate"), state law determines who inherits. This can exclude unmarried partners, stepchildren, and others the deceased may have intended to include. An attorney can guide you through intestate succession in your state.
Estate attorneys & legal services near you
Financial Accounts & Benefits
There are a surprising number of financial institutions and government agencies that need to be notified. Do these one at a time — each requires a certified death certificate.
- Notify Social Security — report the death and stop benefit payments
- Contact all banks and credit unions to freeze/transfer accounts
- File life insurance claims with each carrier
- Transfer or close investment and brokerage accounts
- Roll over or distribute retirement accounts (401k, IRA)
- Apply for Social Security survivor benefits if eligible
- Check for pension or annuity benefits from former employer
- Cancel credit cards and notify credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion)
- Cancel subscriptions and automatic payments
- Contact VA for veteran's benefits if applicable
A surviving spouse may be entitled to a one-time Social Security death benefit ($255) and monthly survivor benefits. Eligibility depends on age, marital status, and work history. Call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 or visit ssa.gov.
Financial & insurance services
Real Estate & Property
Real property is typically the most valuable and most complex part of any estate. Options include selling, transferring to heirs, or renting — each with different tax and legal implications.
How real estate is handled depends on how it was titled. Property held in a living trust or as joint tenants with right of survivorship can bypass probate. Property titled in the deceased's name alone goes through probate before it can be transferred or sold.
- Continue paying mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities on the property
- Get a professional appraisal for estate valuation and tax purposes
- Review property deed to understand how it's titled
- Decide with heirs whether to sell, rent, or transfer the property
- Hire a real estate agent experienced in estate sales if selling
- Arrange an estate sale for personal property (furniture, valuables)
- Transfer title to heirs or complete sale with estate attorney
- Cancel or transfer homeowner's insurance
Inherited property receives a "stepped-up" cost basis — meaning heirs pay capital gains only on appreciation after the date of death, not from the original purchase price. This can save tens of thousands in taxes. Consult a CPA or estate attorney before selling.
Real estate & estate sale services
Digital Assets & Online Accounts
In 2025, the average person has 150+ online accounts. Handling them prevents identity theft, preserves memories, and closes out recurring charges.
- Locate passwords (password manager, written records, trusted family)
- Request memorialization or deletion of Facebook, Instagram accounts
- Download and preserve important photos from cloud storage (Google Photos, iCloud)
- Cancel streaming subscriptions (Netflix, Spotify, etc.)
- Access or close email accounts
- Transfer or close digital asset accounts (PayPal, Venmo, crypto)
- Cancel domain registrations and website hosting if applicable
- Notify LinkedIn and professional platforms
Grief & Support Resources
There is no right way to grieve. But you don't have to go through this alone. There are real, effective resources — many of them free.
Grief can manifest as sadness, anger, numbness, physical exhaustion, or all of these at once. It doesn't follow a timeline. Professional support — whether therapy, grief counseling, or support groups — consistently helps people process loss more effectively than going it alone. See our full resource guide: Grief Support Resources: How to Cope With Loss.