After Someone Dies — First 7 Days

The immediate legal, logistical, and paperwork steps in the first week after a death — from obtaining the legal pronouncement through initial funeral arrangements.

Hours 1–6

• If death occurs at home under hospice care, call the hospice nurse first — they manage the legal pronouncement and coordinate with the medical examiner
• If death is unexpected or at home without hospice, call 911 — the responding officers will contact the coroner or medical examiner
• Do not move or disturb the body until a licensed medical professional has declared death — this is a legal requirement
• Contact a funeral home — they will coordinate transport of the body; you do not need to decide on a service immediately
• Notify the deceased's closest family members by phone — don't text for immediate family

Day 1–2

• Locate the will and any advance directives — check fireproof safes, filing cabinets, attorney's office, and safe deposit boxes
• Order at least 10 certified copies of the death certificate from the funeral home — banks, insurers, and government agencies each require an original
• Secure the home — change locks if needed, ensure no one unauthorized has access to property
• Do not post on social media until all close family and friends have been personally notified
• Identify and notify the executor named in the will — they will need to begin the probate process

Day 2–4

• Meet with the funeral home to make service arrangements — prepaid funeral plans simplify this step significantly
• Request direct release of body to a crematorium if cremation was elected — this can be done without a funeral home and significantly reduces cost
• Notify the deceased's employer — ask about any life insurance, final paycheck, pension, and accrued PTO
• Contact the Social Security Administration (800-772-1213) to report the death — they will stop payments and the surviving spouse may be eligible for survivor benefits
• Notify Medicare and any supplemental health insurance — they have time-sensitive notification windows

Day 4–7

• Begin an inventory of assets: bank accounts, investment accounts, real estate, vehicles, and personal property
• Do not distribute any assets to heirs before the will is probated — premature distribution can create personal liability for the executor
• Suspend or cancel recurring subscriptions to avoid unnecessary charges — list them and notify companies one by one
• Place a fraud alert with all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) — deceased individuals are common identity theft targets
• Notify the Post Office to forward mail to the executor's address for 6 months
• Consult an estate attorney before the week ends — even a single 1-hour consultation helps identify state-specific probate requirements and deadlines