Free tool · After a Death

After-Death Checklist

This checklist puts what to do after someone dies in the United States into a workable order, from the first phone calls to the final tax return. Say whether there is a will, whether they were a veteran, and whether they owned a home or vehicle, and it adds or removes tasks to match. Most of the list is a suggested order rather than a legal deadline, so you can take it a few tasks at a time.

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Figures checked Sep 30, 2026

What to do first

Only a few things can't wait. Everything else can be spread over days and weeks.

Get the death confirmed. Call the hospice nurse line if the person was in hospice, or 911 if the death was unexpected.
Contact a funeral home or cremation provider, or the one named in a prepaid plan.
Tell close family, and ask a few people to pass the news on.
Secure the home and make sure any pets are cared for.
Gather the will, insurance policies and recent account statements.

For a fuller walkthrough of the first days, see our first week after a death guide or the What Happens Next tool.

What the checklist does and doesn't decide

The four time windows are a suggested order, not legal deadlines. The tool changes the list for three reasons. A will changes what you do about the estate. A veteran may qualify for VA burial and memorial benefits. A home, a vehicle or a job each add their own tasks.

If there is no will, probate rules still apply. State law decides who can act for the estate and who inherits, so the checklist keeps the estate tasks and changes their wording instead of hiding them. Some assets, such as accounts with a named beneficiary, may pass without probate. A probate attorney or your county probate court can tell you what applies where you live.

The checklist saves your ticks and answers in your own browser. Nothing is sent to us, and they won't appear on another device.

Figures and dates worth knowing

Item	Figure	Source
Median funeral home cost, viewing and burial (metal casket, no vault)	$8,300 (2023)	NFDA
Same, including a burial vault	$9,995 (2023)	NFDA
Median funeral home cost, viewing and cremation	$6,280 (2023)	NFDA
Final federal income tax return	Generally due April 15 of the year after the death	IRS Publication 559
Federal estate tax return (Form 706) required above	$15,000,000 for deaths in 2026	IRS

The NFDA figures cover the funeral home only. They leave out cemetery charges, cash advance items and taxes. Use the funeral cost calculator to build a full estimate from your own quotes.

Common worries

Debts. Family members usually don't have to pay a relative's debts from their own money. Exceptions include co-signers and, in some states, spouses. Debt collectors may only discuss the debt with certain people, such as the executor.
Funeral home rules. Under the FTC Funeral Rule, funeral homes must give you an itemized price list, quote prices by phone, and accept a casket or urn you bought elsewhere without a fee.
Health coverage. If the person was covered by an employer plan, ask the plan administrator about coverage for dependents. COBRA continuation coverage can apply when a covered employee dies.
Online accounts. Most services have their own process for deceased users. See the digital legacy checklist for what to gather.

Frequently asked questions

What should you do first when someone dies?

If the person was in hospice, call the hospice nurse line. If the death was unexpected, call 911. A medical professional must pronounce the death, and then you can contact a funeral home or cremation provider. Nothing else needs to be done in the first hours.

Do I have to use a funeral home?

Most families do, for transport, paperwork and permits. State rules differ on whether families can handle these themselves, so check with your state's funeral board or health department. Whichever you choose, the FTC Funeral Rule lets you ask for prices by phone and buy only what you want.

How many death certificates do I need?

There's no standard number. List every bank, insurer, pension plan and agency that will want a certified copy, and order enough to cover the list. Fees and ordering rules are set by each state, and you can order more later.

Am I responsible for the person's debts?

Usually not from your own money. The FTC says family members generally don't have to pay a relative's debts, with exceptions for co-signers and, in some states, spouses. Debts are generally paid from the estate.

Does a final tax return have to be filed?

Yes. The personal representative files a final Form 1040, generally due April 15 of the year after the death. A federal estate tax return is needed only when the estate is above the filing threshold, which is $15,000,000 for deaths in 2026. State rules vary, so ask a tax professional.

What if there is no will?

The estate is usually handled under your state's intestacy law, which decides who can act for the estate and who inherits. Some assets, such as accounts with a named beneficiary, may pass outside probate. A probate attorney or your county probate court can explain the process.

Sources we checked

1.The FTC Funeral Rule · Federal Trade Commission
2.Debts and Deceased Relatives · Federal Trade Commission
3.Publication 559: Survivors, Executors, and Administrators · Internal Revenue Service
4.Estate tax · Internal Revenue Service
5.Filing the final income tax returns of a deceased person · Internal Revenue Service
6.Burials and memorials · U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
7.COBRA continuation coverage · U.S. Department of Labor
8.Survivors benefits · Social Security Administration
9.Statistics: median cost of a funeral · National Funeral Directors Association

Please note: General information, not legal, financial or medical advice. Check the details with the relevant agency or a qualified professional. Rules and prices change, so confirm anything important with the organization concerned. If you spot something out of date, tell us.

Guides that go with this tool

After a deathEmployer Death Notification: Steps and Templates for Families and HRHow to tell an employer about a death, what to ask about final pay and benefits, and what HR must do, including OSHA's 8-hour rule. Templates included. 7 min read CostsFuneral Insurance Claim: Documents and StepsThe documents you need to claim funeral insurance, how to file step by step, how to find a lost policy, and the mistakes that delay or block a claim. 5 min read CostsHow to Claim Life Insurance: Steps and DocumentsHow to claim life insurance after someone dies: find the policy, file the claim form with a death certificate, what delays payment, and how the money is taxed. 6 min read After a deathCredit Cards After a Death: Notify the Issuer and Who PaysHow to notify a credit card company of a death, what documents to send, who is responsible for the balance, and what happens to authorized users and rewards. 5 min read

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