After a death: a guide for the days, months and first year

No. Most tasks can be done over weeks or months. A few have time limits, such as applying for the Social Security one-time death payment within 2 years. Check with each organization.

Not always. It depends on the state and the estate. If there is property, a will, or debts, a short consult with a licensed attorney can tell you what applies.

Order certified death certificates if you have not, then make a short list of who needs to be told. The checklist on this site puts these in order.

Begin by contacting each bank with a certified death certificate and asking what they need to retitle or close the accounts. Many banks have a department for deceased accounts and will explain the paperwork. Do not close accounts until you know whether the estate needs them open for bills or deposits. Joint accounts and accounts with named beneficiaries are often handled differently. What to do: make a list of accounts, notify each institution in writing, ask for the process in writing, and consult the estate attorney before paying debts from personal funds.

Many online platforms offer ways to memorialize or close an account when the person has passed away, and policies differ from one service to the next. Some require a death certificate and proof of relationship, and some allow a designated legacy contact if the person set one up. Email, cloud storage, and photos may hold important records and memories. What to do: make a list of accounts you know about, check each platform's help page for deceased user requests, download photos and files before closing anything, and avoid accessing accounts in ways that violate the terms of service or state law.

A common order is to secure the home and property, obtain death certificates, locate the will, notify key agencies and institutions, and then work with an attorney on probate if needed. Pay urgent bills such as mortgage and insurance, keep records, and avoid distributing assets until debts and taxes are addressed. Each state has its own rules and deadlines, and the process often takes longer than families expect. What to do: make a simple checklist, keep all receipts in one folder, and consult an estate attorney early to confirm your responsibilities. This is general information, not legal advice.

The first anniversary and holidays can bring strong feelings, and it helps to plan rather than hope the day passes quietly. Some families keep a tradition, light a candle, visit the cemetery, share stories, or do something kind in the person's name. Others prefer a quiet day. It is normal for grief to return around meaningful dates. What to do: decide ahead of time what feels right, tell friends and family what you need, give yourself permission to change plans, and reach out to a counselor or support group if the day feels overwhelming.

Several institutions typically ask for a certified copy of the death certificate, and keeping a list helps you order the right number. Common requests come from life insurance companies, banks, pension and retirement plan administrators, the Social Security Administration, motor vehicle offices, property and title transfers, and brokerage firms. Some will accept a copy for notification only. What to do: make a list of the institutions you must contact, ask each whether they need an original or accept a copy, and keep the certified copies in a labeled folder so you can send them out in order.

Report the death to the Social Security Administration as soon as practical, and the funeral home often does this for you if you provide the person's Social Security number. If you are not sure it was done, call to confirm. Benefits paid for the month of death generally may need to be returned, and a surviving spouse or child may be eligible for survivor benefits or a small lump-sum payment. What to do: call the agency's national number, have a death certificate ready, ask about survivor benefits, and keep a note of the date and the name of the person you spoke with.