After Death Tasks

It can feel as if there is an amazing amount of work that needs to be done after someone dies. While some of it can be done ahead of time if the death is expected, if someone dies suddenly, the task can seem overwhelming. 

Here is a checklist of the most important things that should be looked after following a death: 

Funeral home 

If a funeral home has not been selected, you will have to do so. You can ask for recommendations from friends and family members if you are not familiar with local funeral homes, or you may have one already in mind. 

Once you have chosen one, call them to arrange a meeting at a time that is most convenient for you. Before the meeting, however, they will need the information, such as the deceased person's name, age, where the body is located and a few other details. 

Death notice 

Appoint one or two friends or family members to be the point person to give out information to people who ask about the upcoming service if there is to be one. Allow them to take that job off your hands so that's one less thing for you to worry about. 

If you want to put a notice in a newspaper, you can do this yourself or you can ask the funeral director to take care of this for you. Sometimes it is best to ask a trusted friend or another family member to take care of this task or you may feel better doing it on your own. 

Burial or cremation 

If it has never been discussed, you will have to decide if there will be a burial or a cremation. This can be based on religious and cultural beliefs, or financial situation. Discuss these options with the funeral director. You may want to be sure that you have someone with you when making the arrangements. 

Death certificate 

Get several copies of the death certificate. This is important because many of the tasks will require a copy of the certificate, from insurance to banking. The recommended number is between 10 to 15 copies. 

Who to notify 

After someone dies, the following agencies, companies, and people must be nofied: 

• Governmental agencies if the person who has passed was receiving any type of governmental assistance, also for car registration, licenses, and anything official that was in the deceased person's name 
• Insurance companies if there was life insurance, you will need a copy of the death certificate 
• Banks and financial institutions, to return credit cards and close accounts that belonged to the deceased person Employers, not only for the actual employment, but also to allow the employer to activate any benefits that may be provided by the company 
• Companies to whom the deceased paid bills, they will have to be settled, closed, or transferred 
• Lawyer who holds the will, if one was written