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The navigating a loss guide
A step-by-step map of what may need attention now, later, and along the way. Most families need only some of it.
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Help me figure out what's next →The first days
The first week or two
- Arrange care for dependents and pets
- Reach out to your closest family and friends
- Contact a funeral home or cremation service
Trusted partner available - Secure their home and property
- Order certified copies of the death certificate
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- Get an official pronouncement of death
- Confirm any organ or tissue donation wishes
- Look for pre-planned funeral or burial instructions
- Contact a religious or spiritual leader if you have one
- Locate the will and important documentsTrusted partner available
- Notify their employer or HR contact
- Consider holding off on public announcements
- Pick one person to help you carry the load
- Give yourself permission to move slowly
- Decide on burial, cremation, or another form of dispositionTrusted partner available
- Plan the type of service and where it will happenTrusted partner available
- Choose the date and time of the service
- Write and submit an obituaryTrusted partner available
- Choose a casket or urnTrusted partner available
- Choose a cemetery plot or resting place
- Arrange transportation of the body if needed
- Choose readings, music, and speakers
- Plan a reception or gathering
- Order flowers or suggest an alternative
- Prepare a photo or slideshow tribute
- Coordinate travel for out-of-town family
- Find their military discharge papers
- Confirm veteran honors if applicable
- Take care of yourself on the day of the service
- Handle the practical aftermath of the service
- Ask a few people to help spread the news
- Notify extended family
- Notify close friends beyond the first wave
- Notify their workplace and colleagues
- Notify their doctors and healthcare providers
- Notify neighbors and their local community
- Reach out to their alumni or professional networks
- Notify their clubs, teams, and hobby groups
- Coordinate the invitation list for the service
- Consider a social media announcement
- Handle awkward incoming messages
- Start a running list for thank-you notes
The first weeks
Usually weeks 2 to 8
- File claims on any life insurance policiesTrusted partner available
- Contact the Social Security Administration
- Determine if you need to open probateTrusted partner available
- Get a full picture of all financial accountsTrusted partner available
- Notify each bank and credit union
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- Apply for the Social Security lump-sum death benefit
- Apply for Social Security survivor benefits
- Contact the Veterans Administration
- File for employer-provided life insurance and benefitsTrusted partner available
- Contact any pension or retirement plan administratorsTrusted partner available
- Cancel or transfer health insurance
- Cancel or transfer auto and home insurance
- Check for accidental death or travel insuranceTrusted partner available
- Look for union or professional benefits
- Update your own beneficiary designationsTrusted partner available
- File the will with your local probate courtTrusted partner available
- Petition to open probateTrusted partner available
- Get appointed as executor or personal representativeTrusted partner available
- Decide whether to take executor compensationTrusted partner available
- Consider hiring a probate attorneyTrusted partner available
- Request an EIN and open an estate bank accountTrusted partner available
- Take inventory of the estate's assetsTrusted partner available
- Notify creditors and give them time to file claimsTrusted partner available
- Handle any trustsTrusted partner available
- Cancel driver's license and government IDs
- Know what comes between opening and closing the estate
- Notify investment and brokerage firms
- Handle retirement accounts (401(k), IRA, pension)Trusted partner available
- Freeze credit with all three bureaus
- Notify credit card companies and close accounts
- Handle their car loan or lease
- Notify their mortgage lender
- Notify student loan servicers
- Cancel subscriptions and recurring charges
- Close online payment accounts
- Transfer loyalty points and rewards
- Keep everything in one placeTrusted partner available
The first months
Usually months 2 to 12
- Decide what to do with the house
- Sort through personal belongingsTrusted partner available
- File their final income tax return
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- Manage the empty house until you decide
- Transfer property title to the new ownerTrusted partner available
- Handle their vehicles
- Get appraisals on jewelry, art, and valuables
- Coordinate with family on personal items
- Choose an approach for the rest of the belongingsTrusted partner available
- Handle their digital assets
- Save meaningful digital items
- Handle their business or side income
- Sign up for the Deceased Do Not Contact list
- File the final state income tax return
- Understand the difference between estate tax and inheritance tax
- File an estate income tax return if neededTrusted partner available
- Understand the stepped-up basis rule for inherited assets
- Get date-of-death valuations for significant assetsTrusted partner available
- Handle any outstanding tax debts
- Consider hiring a tax professional
- Keep tax records for at least seven years
- Update your own estate plan and tax situation
Closing the estate
Usually last
For you, along the way
Whenever you need it
- Be prepared for the second wave
- Seek grief support if you want itTrusted partner available
- Ask for practical helpTrusted partner available
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- Consider a support group specific to your lossTrusted partner available
- Handle the mail, phone, and inbox
- Plan a small tribute or memorial fundTrusted partner available
- Preserve their voice, handwriting, and photos
- Order a headstone or grave markerTrusted partner available
- Send thank-you notes when you're ready
- Plan for the anniversary and holidaysTrusted partner available
- Notice signs you may need more supportTrusted partner available
- Take care of your own paperwork and futureTrusted partner available
Not sure what applies?
Someone on our team can go through the checklist with you, answer questions, and point you toward trusted help.
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