Included below is a brief list of actions which your personal representative and/or Trustee should take immediately upon your death.  (Many of these actions may similarly be required in the event of your incapacity).  This is not intended as an exhaustive and/or detailed explanation of all actions which should be taken; rather, it is for use as a checklist to help your appointed representatives step in and handle, as expeditiously as possible, those items which demand immediate attention.

  • Consider advising any surviving family member who is alone to telephone a friend who can share the next few hours.  Shock and trauma due to the death of a relative can take unexpected forms.
  • Contact by phone and notify the immediate family, close friends, business colleagues and employer.
  • Notify a funeral director and clergy, and make an appointment to discuss funeral arrangements.  Request several copies of decedent’s death certificate, which you’ll need for his or her employer, life insurance companies, and/or decedent’s attorney for legal procedures.
  • Arrange for care for members and pets of the immediate family.
  • Locate the decedent’s important papers.  Gather as many of the decedent’s papers as possible, and continue to do so for the next few weeks.  Gain access to decedent’s online banking sites.
  • Notify the attorney who will be handling the decedent’s affairs.  Make an appointment immediately because a tax return may be due within nine (9) months of death.  This meeting is important to review decedent’s estate planning documents and to discuss state and federal death taxes that may be payable.  The attorney will also determine the extent to which it is necessary or advisable to begin a probate proceeding.  (In the event of incapacity, the attorney may suggest additional steps which should be taken for estate planning purposes, particularly if death is imminent).
  • Notify the decedent’s financial counselor.  Decisions may need to be made regarding repositioning financial assets and tax planning.  The financial counselor may also be able to assist you with several of the items below.
  • Telephone decedent’s employee benefits office with the following information: name, Social Security Number, date of death (or incapacity); whether the death (or incapacity) was due to accident or illness; and your name and address.  The company can begin to process benefits immediately.
  • If decedent was eligible for Medicare, notify the local program office and provide the same information as above.
  • Notify life, accident or disability insurers of decedent’s death or disability.  Give the same information as itemized above and ask what further information is needed to begin processing your claim.  Ask which payment option decedent had elected, and select another option if you would so prefer.  If there is no payment option, you will be paid in a lump sum.
  • Notify the decedent’s Social Security office of the death.  Claims may be expedited if a surviving family member goes in person to the nearest office to investigate making a claim for survivor’s benefits.
  • If you need emergency cash before insurance claims are paid, a cash advance may be available from life insurance benefits to which you are entitled.
  • If decedent was ever in the military service, notify the Veterans Administration.  Surviving relative may be eligible for death or disability benefits.
  • Record in a small ledger all money you or the immediate family spends.  These figures may be needed for tax returns.
  • Remember that a surviving family member may be in a highly emotional state.  Therefore, they should avoid entering contracts for anything and avoid spending or lending large sums of money.