Making final arrangements
. This could be burial or cremation, with or without a service or memorial.
Getting copies of the
death certificate
.
While you may receive one or two copies from the funeral home or mortuary, some experts suggest getting 10–20 copies. A wide range of institutions, from financial institutions, to credit card and insurance companies, may require a death certificate before they will discuss your loved one’s account with you or pay you death benefits.
Getting letters of “administration,” “representation,” or “testamentary.”
These come from probate court and give you the authority to settle the business of the person who died. If there is a will, the executor of the will must get a letter of testamentary. If you are the spouse, partner, or next of kin of someone that died without a will, you can get a letter of administration or representation from the probate court that will allow you to settle their affairs.
Securing the home if the person lived alone.
Finding financial documents:
•
The will
•
Records of accounts—these can be most recent statements from banks or credit unions, retirement accounts, and investments; look for beneficiary designations
•
Records of debts—these can be the most recent credit card, mortgage, auto loan, student loan, or any other kind of debt statements
•
Copies of all insurance policies—life, health, disability, homeowners, auto, and any others
•
Identification documents
•
Marriage and birth certificates
•
Tax returns from the last two years
•
Copies of recent credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion
Notifying important institutions:
•
The Social Security Administration—there may be a death benefit that beneficiaries are entitled to. In addition, the person’s Social Security number will be placed on the master death list preventing identity thieves from using it
•
Financial institutions where the individual had accounts
•
Insurance companies
•
Credit bureaus
•
Credit card companies
•
Creditors--any business or organization to which the person owed money
•
Utility companies
•
The post office—they don’t need notice of death, but you will need to reroute the mail to the executor or administrator of the estate
•
Department of Motor Vehicles—you will want to cancel the person’s driver’s license or ID, license plates, and disabled placards; you will also need to vehicle registration, and ownership
English (US)
