A Checklist of Things to Do After a Person Dies
Even with the best of planning, the time of actual death may be emotional. This is only natural. However, when a person is suffering from a loss of this type, remembering all that needs to be done may be difficult.
An elder law attorney and his wife, both caregivers, developed a printable checklist to help families and friends through this emotional and trying time. They generously have allowed us to make it available to you. Their website, H.E.L.P, is devoted to helping people with aging related legal and care issues.
| Place an "x" in the left column when an item has been completed. | |
| Notify immediate family and close friends | |
| Evaluate the emotional impact on the surviving spouse, children and close relatives and friends; arrange for support | |
| Deal with donation of bodily organs to an "organ bank", as appropriate | |
| Arrange care for dependents, if any | |
| Notify attending physician or coroner | |
| Arrange care for pets, if any | |
| Evaluate the need for security at Decedent's residence | |
| Cancel or rearrange home deliveries? | |
| Have Post Office hold mail? | |
| Find perishable property (food, plants, etc.), arrange for care or disposal | |
| Find and review Decedent's expressed funeral and burial wishes | |
| Notify agent under power of attorney | |
| Prepare and arrange for obituary | |
| Arrange for mortuary, cemetery, burial, cremation, as appropriate | |
| Arrange for funeral/burial services | |
| Notify other members of family and friends | |
| Keep records of all payments for funeral and other expenses | |
| Locate safe deposit box(es); follow safe deposit box procedures | |
| Locate wills, codicils, trusts | |
| Locate life insurance policies | |
| Locate other important documents, relationships, accounts, investments, etc. | |
| Advise Social Security and other agencies, as appropriate | |
| Investigate Social Security benefits | |
| Investigate life insurance | |
| Investigate union death benefits | |
| Investigate veterans burial allowance and other benefits | |
| Investigate fraternal organizations | |
| Investigate employee benefits, including accrued vacation pay, death benefits, final wages, retirement plans, deferred compensation, medical reimbursements | |
| Investigate refunds on insurance or cancelled subscriptions | |
| Investigate Keogh and IRA accounts | |
| Investigate business, partnership and investment arrangements | |
| Retain and meet with attorney regarding estate matters | |
| Retain and meet with CPA as to tax and accounting matters | |
| Meet with life insurance agent to collect proceeds or consider options | |
| Obtain death certificates (ask attorney how many are needed) | |
| Deal with fire, theft, liability and auto insurance on Decedent's property | |
| Work with attorney and CPA to prepare inventory, list of accounts and list of debts | |
| Review credit cards and charge accounts, cancel as appropriate | |
| DO NOT pay any of Decedent's debts until attorney discusses with family or executor | |
| Obtain valuations of assets, as appropriate | |
| If Trust involved, arrange for any allocations and transfers | |
| Arrange for final income tax return and estate tax return, as necessary | |
Copyright © 2002 H.E.L.P (Healthcare and Elder
Law Programs Corporation)
Used with permission.
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