Law Office of Richard M. Russell
197 Palmer Avenue
Falmouth, Massachusetts 02540
508.457.7557

This site does not provide legal advice. Please visit the Law Office of Richard M. Russell for information specific to your circumstances.

WHAT TO DO WHEN A LOVED ONE DIES


We hope you find this checklist helpful during this difficult time.
You can download a copy of this checklist here.

 IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE DEATH:

 ■ alert immediate family members and close friends
 ■ attend to donation of bodily organs
 ■ locate any funeral prearrangements that may have been made
 ■ contact funeral home, make funeral arrangements
 ■ arrange for care of any dependents
 ■ arrange for care of any pets
 ■ if employed, notify deceased’s employer
 ■ if applicable, notify agent under Power of Attorney
 ■ notify executor of decedent’s Will
 ■ notify religious, fraternal, and civic organizations of which deceased was member
 ■ prepare and arrange for obituary
 ■ remove any valuables from the deceased’s home, secure the home, cause the home to appear to be occupied
 ■ arrange for the disposal of any perishables left in the deceased’s home
 ■ notify attorney
 ■ alert the Post Office to hold or forward the deceased’s mail
 ■ keep records of payments for funeral and other expenses
 ■ DO NOT pay any of deceased’s debts until confirmed with attorney
 ■ locate important documents:

will
birth certificate
social security card
marriage license
military discharge papers
deed to burial property
life insurance policies
bank and retirement account statements

 ■ locate safe deposit boxes

 WITHIN ONE MONTH OF THE DEATH:

 ■ send acknowledgment cards for flowers, donations, food, kindness, thank pallbearers
 ■ consult with attorney
 ■ consult with accountant to discuss estate taxes
 ■ file claims with life insurance companies
 ■ if the death was accidental, investigate benefits under disability insurance or similar policies
 ■ investigate life insurance benefits available through credit card or loan accounts
 ■ contact Social Security Administration and other entities making payments to deceased--inquire if spouse is eligibility for new SS benefits
 ■ file any outstanding claims for health insurance or Medicare
 ■ if deceased was a veteran, investigate veteran’s benefits
 ■ investigate union death benefits
 ■ investigate employee benefits

final wages
accrued vacation pay
death benefits
retirement plans

 ■ investigate Keogh and IRA accounts
 ■ arrange for final income tax returns
 ■ notify Registrar of Voters
 ■ if the deceased’s home is unoccupied, cancel unnecessary home services, such as newspaper delivery, cable service, etc.
 ■ cancel deceased’s prescriptions
 ■ notify all three credit reporting agencies
 ■ obtain a current copy of the deceased’s credit report
 ■ obtain copies of deceased’s outstanding bills
 ■ advise all creditors of death
 ■ locate and|or obtain other important paperwork:

several copies of certified Death Certificate
real estate deeds
stock certificates
loan paperwork
recent tax returns
 
 ■ consider update to your will and|or estate plan
 ■ update your beneficiaries
 ■ remove loved one from marketing and mailing lists

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION

DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN’S AFFAIRS
800.827.1000
www.vba.va.gov/VBA

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
800.772.1213
www.ssa.gov/pgm/links_survivor.htm

CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES

EQUIFAX
800.525.6285
www.Equifax.com

TRANS UNION
800.680.7289
www.TransUnion.com

EXPERIAN
888.397.3742
www.Experian.com