What to do After Someone Passes Away

When someone you love dies, the job of handling the personal and legal details may feel overwhelming during a time of grief. It is a big responsibility that can take a year or more to complete. It is unlikely you will be able to do it alone. Settling a deceased family member's affairs is not a one-person task. You may need the help of others, ranging from lawyers and CPA’s to funeral directors and movers. Also don’t be afraid to ask for help from trusted friends and relatives. Making a list details that need to be addressed will help keep you organized and prevent things from slipping through the cracks. This guide will get you started.
 
 
1. Get a legal pronouncement of death
As soon as possible, the death must be officially pronounced by someone in authority like a doctor in a hospital or nursing facility or a hospice nurse. This person also fills out the forms certifying the cause, time, and place of death. These steps will make it possible for an official death certificate to be prepared. This legal form is necessary for many reasons, including life insurance and property issues.
 
2. Arrange for transportation of the body 
Arrangements should be made to pick up the body as soon as the family is ready and according to local laws. This can be done by a funeral home or by the family themselves in most states. If the death takes place in a hospital or nursing facility, they may help with these arrangements. If at home, you will need to contact a funeral home directly.
 
3. Notify family and friends 
How to notify friends and family is a personal choice. You may choose to send out a group text or mass email or make individual phone calls to let people know their loved one has died. Ask the recipients to spread the word by notifying others connected to the deceased.
 
4. Locate Important Papers 
Find the deceased’s important papers and documents as soon as possible. If necessary, ask close family, friends, or the deceased's doctor or lawyer if they know where these important papers can be found, and the location of a bank safety deposit box, if any. You will want to seek out the Will, insurance policies, titles, deeds, trusts, bank accounts, power of attorney etc.
 
5. Arrange for care of dependents 
If the deceased has dependent children or perhaps is the primary care giver for a spouse or other family member it will be necessary to make arrangements for the care of the dependent. This care can look very different depending on the age, health and mental capacity of the dependent. Initially it may be easiest for a family member to fill the role while a long-term plan is developed. If plans are not made in advance and you need to research options, the Department of Social and Health Services may be a good place to start.
 
6. Arrange for care of pets 
When selecting a caregiver for pets, consider partners, adult children, parents, brothers, sisters, and friends who have met your pet and have successfully cared for pets themselves. Remember, the new owner will have full discretion over the animal’s care including veterinary treatment and euthanasia. If there is no one available to take the pet it may be necessary to contact a local animal shelter.
 
7. Contact person’s employer 
Contact the deceased’s employer and ask about any possible death benefits, retirement annuity or pension plans, and life and health insurance coverage.  Unions and other professional organizations may provide benefits also. Sometimes you may need to return the deceased’s final monthly pension payment to the pension company before they send a new, adjusted payment.
 
8. Arrange for funeral 
Planning a funeral or memorial service is a highly personal process. Your decisions will be shaped by your life experiences, relationship to the deceased, what the deceased wanted, religious beliefs, and myriad other factors.
 
9. Arrange to look after persons home and collect mail 
To forward the persons mail to yourself at a different address you will need to file a request at your local post office. Bring proof that you are the executor or administrator authorized to manage the deceased’s mail then fill out a forwarding change of address form.
 
10. Make sure important bills continue to be paid 
Unpaid debt becomes the responsibility of the deceased person’s estate. The trustee responsible for overseeing the estate first will use any assets in the estate to pay creditors before dividing the assets among the heirs according to the deceased’s will, if there is one. This process is called probate. Making sure property taxes, mortgage payments and certain utilities remain current will help you avoid complications down the road. Also be sure to cancel services that may no longer be needed such as phone and television.
 
11. Get multiple copies of death certificate 
In order to close many accounts, the companies involved will likely want a copy of the death certificate, especially when financial assets are involved. To order copies of a death certificate, contact the county or state vital records office in the place where the death occurred. They will tell you exactly what you need to do. In Washington state you can find the Information on the Department of Health website.
 
12. Additional contacts you may want to make: 

• Trust and estates attorney to transfer assets and assist with probate
• Bank
• Life insurance agent
• Social Security office 1-800-772-1213
• Veterans Affairs 1-800-827-1000 (If applicable)
• Pension Providers
• Utility Companies
• Post office
• Landlord​