The first 24 hours.
We’re sorry. Read only as far as you need to right now — you can come back. Almost nothing here has to happen in the next hour.
- 01
Take a breath. You don’t have to decide anything in the next hour.
Almost nothing about a death requires immediate financial decisions. Pause before signing or paying anything today.
- 02
Confirm the death is legally pronounced.
At home with hospice: call hospice. At home without hospice: call 911. In a facility: staff will coordinate. Pronouncement is required before transport.
- 03
Notify close family — only the people who must know today.
Make a short list. Ask one person to be the “relay” so you’re not on the phone all night.
- 04
Locate any pre-need plan, will, or written wishes.
Check a home safe, file cabinet, email folders, or with their attorney. If a funeral home was pre-selected, call them first.
- 05
Arrange transfer of the body — but you can choose where.
You are not obligated to use whichever provider arrives first. Ask the price for transfer only, and confirm where they’re taking your person.
- 06
Hold off on “package” decisions for 24–48 hours.
Burial vs cremation, services, caskets — these can wait. Federal rules require itemized pricing; you can compare.
- 07
Order death certificates (more than you think).
Plan on 8–12 certified copies. Banks, insurers, the DMV, retirement accounts and Social Security each require an original.
- 08
Notify Social Security and employers.
Funeral homes often file the SSA notification. For employers, ask about final pay, life insurance, and benefits paperwork.
- 09
Secure their home, phone, pets, and mail.
Lock up. Pause autoship. Forward mail. If pets are alone, arrange care. If a car is at a hospital, retrieve it within a day.
- 10
Ask for help — and accept it.
Meals, rides, childcare, sitting with you. People want to help; give them a small, specific task.