What to Do When a Loved One Passes Away

Losing a loved one is an incredibly challenging experience that nearly everyone must go through at some point.   

Navigating the many steps that must be taken after one passes can be an overwhelming task, especially while grieving. While we’re not qualified to offer advice or tips for the grieving process, it may be a good idea to seek out a grief counselor or therapist to talk to. 

Our goal is to provide some general tips to help simplify the necessary steps and reduce your level of stress.

As you read through these steps, take a moment to reflect on your own affairs, or those of your spouse, parents, siblings, or close friends. What steps can you or they take to help simplify the process for loved ones?

Some of these tasks will need to be handled by the executor or court appointed administrator, but others may be managed by family members or close friends. It may be beneficial to reach out to an estate planning attorney to help guide you through the process. 

Here’s a general outline of the essential steps to take. Please note, if your loved one had one or more trusts, you’ll want to consult with the attorney who drafted the trust(s), or another estate planning attorney, as the steps and requirements may be very different:

Immediate Steps

1. Notify Family and Close Friends 

This is one of the most difficult tasks. We recommend enlisting the help of family and friends to help make these calls.

2. Find Temporary Care Givers 

If your loved one had any dependent children or pets, you’ll want to have a trusted person care for them until the Will can be reviewed and a permanent solution determined. You may also want to have a friend or relative look after your children or pets while you grieve and go through this process.

3. Obtain an Official Declaration of Death 

If your loved one passed away in a hospital or nursing home, they will provide this declaration. If they passed away at home, you’ll need to enlist the help of a medical professional.

4. Order Death Certificates 

You’ll need several certified copies of the death certificate for financial and legal matters. Most companies accept a digital copy of this, but it may be a good idea to order a few hard copies just to be safe.

5. Check With Your Employer 

Many employers offer paid time off for bereavement. You may need some extra time off to plan and organize everything, so you may want to ask about any additional benefits offered by your employer. They may provide free or discounted legal services, therapy sessions, or you may be able to take FMLA leave. Ask around to know your options.

Funeral Arrangements

1. Locate the Will and other Legal Documents 

Check the Will for appointment of an executor, and check for any funeral or final wishes. If your loved one was a detailed planner, they may have prepaid or pre-established arrangements. If not, work with family members to make these decisions.

2. Get a Court-Appointed Administrator 

If there is no Will, or the executors listed pre-deceased your loved one, you may need to get a court appointed administrator to manage and settle the estate.

3. Contact Funeral Homes 

Find a funeral home that works best with your requested services, time frame, and budget, and work with them to plan for services. 

Managing Financial and Legal Matters

Once you have the death certificate and proof that you’re the executor or administrator, you can begin addressing financial and legal obligations.

1. Inventory Assets and Accounts 

If your loved one was working with a financial planner, they can be a great resource to help locate accounts. You’ll want to make a list of all assets, accounts, properties, personal belongings, etc. You’ll need this for probate and other obligations.

2. Review tax returns, mail, email, and credit card or bank statements to look for any additional accounts or assets that may have been overlooked.

2. Initiate the Probate Process 

If your loved one had a Will, you’ll need to bring that to the local courthouse to start the probate process. Don’t forget to bring a copy of the death certificate and asset inventory.

3. Contact and Notify Key Parties 

If your loved one was employed at the time of their passing, you’ll want to contact their employer to update them. Ask about any death benefits or earned wages that may still be owed. You’ll also want to notify the banks, pension providers, brokerage firms, credit card companies, and utilities companies that your loved one had an account with. Don’t forget about electronic accounts such as email, social media, or other memberships.

2. You’ll also want to notify the DMV, postal service, Social Security Administration, and other relevant agencies. 

4. Manage Bills and Subscriptions 

You may need to continue making payments for any assets that still have a balance due in order to avoid a repossession. You should also cancel any non-essential subscriptions, bills, or recurring payments. 

5. Secure and Manage Property 

Until the probate process is complete, you should secure all property to prevent any losses due to damage or theft. You may also want to perform general or routine maintenance to maintain asset values.

6. File Taxes 

Work with your tax professional to file the final taxes for your loved one. Estate taxes can be very complex, so we always recommend working with a certified tax professional on this.

Closing Remarks

We understand that this is a very difficult time, and you likely feel very overwhelmed. We hope these steps help you get organized and provide some clarity. The most important step is to take care of yourself. You don’t need to rush through this, and it’s okay to take a break and take some time to grieve. It might also be a good idea to keep a journal throughout the process to help cope with your emotions, and provide insight and guidance for organizing your own affairs.