Overview
What to Do When Someone Dies
An after death checklist turns the overwhelming question of what to do when someone dies into a clear, ordered set of tasks. Losing a loved one is hard enough without also tracking funeral arrangements, certified death certificates, Social Security, insurance claims, and probate from memory. This tool organizes everything that needs to be done in the United States, from the first hours after death through the following three months, so nothing important slips through the cracks.
The list is sequenced by urgency. The first 24-48 hours are about the body and the household; the first week is about the funeral and the most time-sensitive notifications; the first month and first quarter handle accounts, benefits, taxes, and the estate. You don't have to do it alone. Delegate tasks to family members, and lean on the funeral director, an estate attorney, and a financial advisor where it helps. Many official tasks are also free to start: reporting a death to the Social Security Administration and filing for VA burial benefits cost nothing.
Immediate Tasks
First Week
First Month
Within 3 Months
Generate Your Checklist
Personalized based on your situation
Who to call
Key Organizations to Contact
Emergency Services
911 (US) if death is unexpected
Funeral Home
Arrange body transport and services
Social Security
1-800-772-1213 to report death
Life Insurance
File claims with all providers
Banks
Notify all financial institutions
Employer
HR for benefits and final pay
Costs & timelines
Typical Costs and Deadlines After a Death
A checklist is also a budget and a calendar. The biggest near-term expense is usually the funeral or cremation, and several official tasks carry their own deadlines. The table below shows national-average US figures and common timeframes so you know roughly what to set aside and when each step is due. These are general ranges, not quotes — actual prices and statutory deadlines vary by provider and by state.
| Task | Typical US cost | When |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional burial funeral | ~$9,000 ($7,000–$15,000) | First week |
| Cremation with a service | ~$6,000 ($4,000–$9,000) | First week |
| Direct cremation | ~$2,000 ($1,000–$3,500) | First week |
| Certified death certificates (10–15 copies) | $50–$300 total | First week |
| Report death to Social Security (SSA) | Free | First week |
| SSA lump-sum death payment (if eligible) | $255 paid to survivor | First month |
| Final income tax return (IRS Form 1040) | Varies (no fee to file) | Following tax year |
| Probate (if required) | ~3–7% of the estate | 6–12 months |
* Funeral and probate figures are national-average ranges from our funeral dataset; the SSA $255 lump-sum and tax-form references come from the cited government sources. Confirm exact prices and deadlines locally.
Questions answered
Frequently Asked Questions
First, if the death was unexpected, call emergency services (911 in the US). If expected (hospice care), contact the hospice provider. Then contact a funeral home to arrange transport of the body. Avoid making major decisions in the first 24 hours if possible.
Key notifications include: immediate family, employer/HR, Social Security Administration, life insurance companies, banks and financial institutions, pension providers, government benefits offices, and the deceased's doctor. Close friends and extended family should also be informed.
You'll typically need 10-15 certified copies. Each financial institution, insurance company, and government agency usually requires an original certified copy. It's easier and cheaper to order extra copies upfront than to request more later.
Important documents include: the will, trust documents, life insurance policies, bank and investment account statements, property deeds, vehicle titles, Social Security card, birth and marriage certificates, tax returns, military discharge papers, and pension documents.
Most life insurance policies don't have a strict deadline for filing claims, but it's best to file within 30-60 days. Some policies may have specific time limits in their terms. Delays can slow down payment, so contact the insurance company as soon as reasonably possible.
Probate should typically be initiated within 30-90 days of death, though timelines vary by jurisdiction. Some assets (joint accounts, beneficiary designations) don't go through probate. Consult an estate attorney to understand your specific situation.
Yes. A final federal income tax return (Form 1040) is due for the year of death, generally by the normal April deadline of the following year, and the personal representative is responsible for filing it. A separate federal estate tax return (Form 706) is only required for very large estates above the IRS exemption threshold, so most families never file one. State filing rules vary, so check your state and confirm specifics with the IRS or a tax professional.
In most US states you are not legally required to use a funeral home, though many families choose one for the paperwork, permits, and logistics. The FTC Funeral Rule lets you request an itemized General Price List and buy only the goods and services you want. As a budgeting baseline, a traditional burial averages about $9,000, cremation with a service about $6,000, and direct cremation about $2,000 nationally. Use our funeral cost calculator for a personalized estimate.
Trust & accuracy
Data sources & methodology
Task sequencing and the documents list follow USAGov's 'what to do when someone dies' guidance, the SSA survivors program, the FTC Funeral Rule, and IRS estate and final-return rules. Cost ranges (funeral, cremation, probate) are national-average estimates from our funeral dataset and vary by provider and state; the SSA $255 lump-sum figure and tax-filing references come directly from the cited federal agencies.
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Estimates Only
All calculations are estimates only. Actual costs, timelines, and requirements may vary significantly by location, provider, and individual circumstances. This tool does not constitute legal, medical, or financial advice. Consult a qualified professional — such as a local funeral home, licensed attorney, or financial advisor — for information specific to your situation.