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:
■ 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
■ 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:
■ 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
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
■ 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
800.827.1000
www.vba.va.gov/VBA
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
800.772.1213
www.ssa.gov/pgm/links_survivor.htm
800.772.1213
www.ssa.gov/pgm/links_survivor.htm
CREDIT REPORTING AGENCIES
EQUIFAX
800.525.6285
www.Equifax.com
800.525.6285
www.Equifax.com
TRANS UNION
800.680.7289
www.TransUnion.com
800.680.7289
www.TransUnion.com
EXPERIAN
888.397.3742
www.Experian.com
888.397.3742
www.Experian.com