US Help & Advice
What to Do After a Death in the United States
This is the immediate, universal checklist that applies in every U.S. state. It focuses on what families need in the first hours and first week: medical/legal clearance, securing the home, gathering documents, reporting to Social Security, and protecting against fraud.
Important: If you believe there is an emergency, call 911. This guide is general information, not legal advice. State rules vary—use the state resource links below for specifics.
Jump to what you need right now
Medical & legal immediate steps (first hours)
In every state, there is a critical first phase: official pronouncement and clearance to move the body. How you proceed depends mainly on where the death happened.
Who pronounces death (hospital, hospice, home)
- Hospital or facility: A clinician pronounces death and the facility guides the next steps. Ask for the name/role of the pronouncing professional and how the facility will coordinate with your chosen funeral home.
- Hospice: Hospice staff typically handle pronouncement and will guide you through what happens next (including contacting a funeral home).
- At home (not on hospice): Call 911. Emergency services will send help and begin the required process.
When the medical examiner or coroner must be involved
Every state has rules requiring a coroner or medical examiner (ME) to review certain deaths. Common triggers include unexpected deaths, unknown cause, accidents, suspected overdose, possible self-harm, violence, deaths in custody, and some deaths shortly after surgery or without a treating physician.
- If authorities say the death is an ME/coroner case, follow their instructions about release timing, personal items, and whether an autopsy will occur.
- If it is not an ME/coroner case, a funeral home can usually proceed sooner once the required paperwork is initiated.
How to get pronouncement documentation
- Ask the hospital/facility/hospice what documentation they provide immediately (often a discharge or facility record).
- The formal death certificate is filed with the state/county vital records system (often via the funeral home and a certifying physician/ME). It may take days to weeks.
- If you need proof quickly (employer, travel, urgent coordination), ask the facility or funeral home what can be issued right away and what requires certified copies later.
Critical: Do not move the body or disturb the scene until you are told it is cleared. This matters legally and can prevent delays later.
Home & document security (do this early)
- Secure the home: keys, doors/windows, valuables, pets, and (if appropriate) consider changing locks.
- Secure medications: remove or lock up controlled substances and dispose through approved take-back programs when ready.
- Secure digital devices: phone, computer, tablets. If you know passcodes, preserve access (photos, accounts, 2FA).
- Gather visible documents: ID, insurance cards, recent mail, bank/credit statements, property and vehicle paperwork.
- Locate estate documents: will, trust, power-of-attorney papers (POA ends at death), deeds, beneficiary forms, safe deposit info.
Initial notifications (what to do—and what to delay)
- Immediate family circle: designate one person as the main communicator to reduce repeated calls and confusion.
- Employer (HR): ask about final paycheck, benefits, life insurance, retirement plans, and any survivor support.
- What to delay (often best within the first 24–72 hours): broad notifications to banks/credit cards/government agencies until you have death certificates and a clearer picture of who has legal authority.
You can still start gathering info immediately—just avoid making irreversible account actions (closing accounts, moving funds) before you know the legal pathway.
Universal U.S. documents you need (all 50 states)
These documents are the foundation for funeral arrangements, benefits, and settling the estate. Start by gathering what you can—don’t panic if you don’t have everything immediately.
Death documentation
- Death certificate: You will use this to claim insurance, transfer accounts, close services, and manage property.
- How many certified copies? Many families order 10–15 certified copies (sometimes fewer, sometimes more) depending on how many institutions require originals.
- Social Security number of the deceased (often needed for benefits, financial institutions, and identity protection).
- Medicare / Medicaid cards (if applicable), plus any health insurance information.
Personal identification & family status
- Driver’s license / state ID
- Passport (if they had one)
- Birth certificate (sometimes requested in benefit/claim workflows)
- Marriage certificate / divorce decree / adoption papers (as relevant)
Financial starting points (first sweep)
- Recent bank statements (last ~3 months) and any account list you can find
- Recent bills: mortgage/rent, utilities, credit cards, car loans, insurance premiums
- Insurance policies/cards: life, health, auto, home/renters
- Property and vehicle documents: deed, mortgage statements, car title/registration
First week: universal U.S. processes
These actions are broadly consistent nationwide because they involve federal systems, national institutions, and universal fraud risks.
Social Security Administration (SSA)
- Reporting the death: Often the funeral home reports it, but you should confirm. SSA reporting typically cannot be completed purely online; it is commonly handled by phone or in person.
- Stopping benefits: If benefits continue, overpayments may be reclaimed. Confirm what will happen and what the household should expect.
- Survivor benefits check: Ask about eligibility for spouses, minor children, disabled adult children, and dependent parents.
If the person received benefits, this is one of the highest-impact calls to make early.
Credit protection (do this early)
Identity theft after a death is common because mail, statements, and personal data may be accessible. Consider freezing credit as soon as you reasonably can.
- Freeze credit with all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to help prevent new accounts being opened.
- Keep a secure log of confirmation numbers, dates, and who completed each action.
- Monitor mail for new credit offers, unexpected bills, or “account change” letters.
Tip: If you can, set up mail forwarding or secure the mailbox quickly—this reduces fraud risk.
Home & bill management (what to pay vs pause)
- Pay immediately (to protect property): mortgage/rent, utilities, homeowners/auto insurance, and essential property expenses.
- Pause/cancel thoughtfully: subscriptions, memberships, and non-essential services—avoid abrupt closures that might complicate access (e.g., a phone plan tied to 2FA).
- Secure the property: if needed, change locks; photograph valuables; document condition; keep receipts for estate accounting.
If you are not sure who has legal authority yet, focus on preserving assets and preventing lapses, not making permanent financial moves.
How to use our state & legal resources
The United States is complicated because many key rules are state-driven. This page stays universal on purpose—use the links below when you need specifics.
For state-specific rules
- Burial/cremation waiting periods and permits
- Probate court procedures and filing differences
- Small-estate limits and affidavit shortcuts
- State estate/inheritance tax rules (if any)
For detailed U.S. legal guidance
- Probate process explained, start to finish
- Executor/administrator responsibilities
- How debts, taxes, and distributions typically work
- What to do if there is (or isn’t) a will
Common U.S.-wide pitfalls (mistakes people make in any state)
Financial mistakes
- Paying bills from a personal account without tracking—ideally, estate expenses should be documented carefully and paid through the correct estate process when established.
- Closing accounts too quickly (can create access problems and missing statements).
- Not ordering enough certified death certificates, causing repeated delays.
- Skipping credit freezes and identity monitoring.
Legal mistakes
- Distributing property or money before debts/taxes are understood.
- Assuming there is no will without a thorough search (home safe, attorney, files, digital vaults).
- Missing creditor-related timelines or court requirements (varies by state—use the legal page).
- Underestimating the timeline: many estates take 6–12 months, sometimes longer.
Emotional mistakes (totally normal—try to protect yourself)
- Making major, irreversible decisions in the first week (when you’re exhausted).
- Trying to do everything alone—delegate tasks and appoint a main communicator.
- Isolating from support; accept help with meals, childcare, transportation, or admin calls.
- Ignoring sleep, hydration, and basic routines—your capacity matters for good decisions.
When to seek professional help
Many families can handle parts of the process themselves, but some situations are much safer and faster with professional guidance.
Consider an attorney if
- Estate is roughly over $100,000 and beneficiaries/ownership are unclear
- Real estate exists in multiple states
- Business ownership or complex investments are involved
- Family conflict, unclear heirs, or suspected undue influence
- Special needs planning / trusts are involved
- You expect a will challenge or creditor dispute
You can often handle without an attorney if
- Most assets have named beneficiaries or joint owners (transfer-on-death, POD, etc.)
- Estate is under your state’s small-estate limit (see state page)
- Assets are simple (one home, one car, straightforward bank accounts)
- Family agreement is strong and documentation is clear
If you’re unsure, start by reading the U.S. legal overview and then decide whether to consult a local probate attorney for 30–60 minutes. That small clarity step can prevent months of mistakes.
Your next steps timeline (universal, works in any state)
Week 1
- Complete the immediate medical/legal steps and secure home/documents
- Coordinate with a funeral home (or follow facility/ME instructions if applicable)
- Order certified death certificates (often 10–15 is practical)
- Confirm SSA reporting and begin survivor benefit checks (if relevant)
- Freeze credit and secure mail access
- Visit your state page to understand: waiting periods, small-estate limits, and probate shortcuts
Month 1
- Ensure death certificate filing is complete and certified copies are received
- Begin key notifications: SSA (if not already), insurance, banks (with documentation)
- Start the probate/small-estate process if needed (see legal page)
- Create an inventory of assets and debts; keep a simple estate log
Months 2–6 (sometimes longer)
- Pay valid debts and handle taxes (as required)
- Transfer or distribute assets according to the legal process
- Close accounts and finalize property transfers
- Complete estate closing steps (varies by state—see legal/state pages)
Final reminder (the “calm plan”)
- First: pronouncement + clearance + secure home/documents
- Second: death certificates + SSA + credit protection
- Third: state rules + legal process (small-estate vs probate)
- Then: notifications, claims, inventory, and step-by-step estate closure
You don’t have to solve everything in a day. Focus on the next right step.