When a loved one dies, many people find it difficult to concentrate. Unfortunately, after a death, the family must take various legal, financial, and funeral planning steps as promptly as possible. To make this difficult process a little easier, follow this guide. 

What to Do Immediately After a Death

If your loved one dies without a doctor present, you’ll need to contact someone to declare the death legally. Call the hospice agency if your loved one was a patient. A nurse will come and report the death.

If your loved one was not a hospice patient, call 911. Get your loved one’s do-not-resuscitate document if they have one. If the death was unexpected, a coroner or medical examiner might need to come to the scene. 

If no autopsy is needed, contact a funeral director to transport the body to the mortuary or crematorium or to assist you with a home service. Notify close family and friends and make care arrangements for the deceased’s dependents and pets. 

What to Do in the Following Days

In the days after the death, there are many people you need to contact and documents you need to gather.

First, locate estate documents such as a will, trust, and power of attorney. You should also find financial records such as stock certificates, title documents, bank statements, and deeds. Contact the family attorney or estate lawyer to help you manage the deceased’s estate.

You should also contact the Social Security Administration and any other agencies the deceased received monthly payments from. If they had insurance, contact the agency to obtain claim forms or call the deceased’s employer to ask about benefits.

Find an accountant or tax preparer to determine whether you should file an estate-tax return or final income-tax return. Call the deceased’s bank to locate accounts and safe deposit box. 

If you can, you should also pay off the deceased’s outstanding balances. You’re only personally liable for the debts if you cosigned a loan or if you were married. Contact utility companies to change or stop services and the postal service to stop or forward mail.

When you need funeral, burial, or cremation services, turn to the compassionate team at Adzima Funeral Home. Located in Stratford, CT, this trusted funeral home has helped families honor their loved ones’ lives for more than 100 years. The staff is available 24/7, so you never have to feel alone. Learn more about their services online or call (203) 375-2200 to speak with a caring team member.