The loss of a loved one is an emotionally overwhelming experience, and the many decisions and tasks that follow can feel daunting. This checklist helps you navigate a challenging time while still allowing you to process your grief.
If possible, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with these steps before a loss occurs. Advance preparation can provide clarity and peace of mind, ensuring your loved ones’ wishes are honored while reducing stress for those left behind.
Additionally, consider keeping all essential documents and instructions in one accessible location and informing a trusted person where to find them. This can prevent delays and confusion when timely decisions are needed.
Understanding Key Terms
To help you navigate this guide, here are some commonly used terms:
Deceased or decedent: Refers to the person who has passed away.
Estate: The property, assets, and liabilities belonging to the deceased.
Immediate Steps to Take
When a Death Occurs at Home
If the death is unexpected, call 911 immediately. Emergency responders can guide you on next steps.
If the deceased was under hospice care, notify the hospice provider, who will assist you with arrangements.
In a Hospital, Nursing Home, or Other Care Facility
Speak with the facility staff about their protocols for handling a death.
Notifying Loved Ones and Key Individuals
Contact close family and friends, the deceased’s doctor (if hospice is not involved), and their lawyer (if they had one).
If the deceased cared for dependents, make arrangements for their care right away.
Locating Funeral or Memorial Instructions
Look for written instructions left by the deceased, such as a "Letter of Instruction" or "Disposition Authorization," regarding funeral, memorial, burial, or cremation arrangements.
Check advance directive documents, like a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care or Living Will, to see if they named a "Designated Agent" to manage these arrangements.
Planning for Funeral and Memorial Services
If you are the Designated Agent—or if none is named, the person authorized under Washington law—you will need to arrange for the burial or cremation of the deceased. State law requires that the body be embalmed or refrigerated until burial or cremation takes place.
For more details on funeral and burial arrangements, refer to the “Funerals, Burials, and Cremation” section of the Handbook for Washington Seniors.
Preparing for Next Steps
Death Certificates
Certified copies of the death certificate can be ordered from the funeral director or hospice provider, the local Department of Health, or the Washington State Department of Health.
You will typically need one certified copy for each major asset (e.g., cars, real estate, financial accounts) and for handling insurance claims, veterans' benefits, and similar matters.
Important Papers
Locate the deceased’s key documents as soon as possible. These may include:
The Will and/or Trust.
Deeds, titles, and financial records.
Insurance policies and beneficiary designations.
Social Security, military, and tax documents.
Practical Steps and Information
To help manage the deceased's affairs, start by making a list of all regular bills, noting which ones are on automatic payment plans and their due dates. If there are any unpaid bills, give them to the Personal Representative or Trustee (if applicable) for payment. Here are some common bills to locate:
Utility bills (electric, heating, telephone, internet, cell phones, water/sewer/garbage, etc.)
Long-term debts (home mortgages, credit lines, car loans, etc.)
Rental payments (home, apartment, assisted living, nursing home, etc.)
Credit card bills
Insurance bills (health, long-term care, homeowner’s, car, life insurance, etc.)
Property tax bills (if separate from the mortgage)
Consult with a probate attorney before paying any bills of the decedent. If you are a co-signer or have a joint account with the deceased, it may be advisable to use funds from the account to pay regular bills. Be sure to keep detailed records of all transactions. If there are no joint accounts, access to the deceased’s bank accounts requires the approval of a court-appointed Personal Representative.
Power of Attorney
Your authority as a Power of Attorney (also called "attorney-in-fact" or "agent") ends upon the deceased’s death, unless you are named the "Designated Agent" in the document for after-death arrangements. In that case, you have the authority to make funeral, burial, or cremation arrangements.
Property and Pet Care
Take care of the deceased’s home, property, and pets. Secure valuables (cash, jewelry, collectibles) in a safe place, and ensure the house is locked. If necessary, contact the Post Office to forward mail, stop newspaper deliveries, and cancel home care services or medical appointments.
Email and Cell Phones
You will need the deceased’s email account credentials and cell phone passcodes to keep accounts open for several months, as they may contain important communications such as bank alerts or statements. Additionally, online account access may require 2-factor authentication through text or email.
Cancel Unneeded Services
Cancel services no longer required, such as landline phones, internet, or cable TV. Utilities should only be canceled once they are no longer necessary to maintain the condition of the home.
Notification of Death and Checking for Benefits
After informing close family members, the deceased’s doctor, lawyer, and any Personal Representative or Trustee, you or the Personal Representative should notify relevant agencies and companies about the death. At the same time, check for any available death or survivor benefits.
Here’s a list of entities to notify and benefits to check for:
Social Security: Notify the Social Security Administration to apply for death or survivors' benefits. Social Security will also inform Medicare. If the deceased received Social Security payments, the full payment for the month of death must be returned.
Landlords and Rental Agencies: Inform the deceased’s landlord or the administration of any assisted living or nursing facilities. Discuss moving out dates and potential return of security deposits.
Insurance Companies: Contact all insurers to claim death benefits, including life insurance and any policies that may cover loans or mortgages. Notify them to cancel or update coverage.
Employee Pensions and Benefits: Notify the deceased’s employer or union about the death, especially if you’re a listed beneficiary for pension, retirement, or health benefits.
Veterans Affairs: If the deceased was a veteran, contact the VA for death, burial benefits, and survivor’s benefits.
Banks and Credit Card Companies: If you had a joint account, notify the financial institutions to access funds for paying bills. For joint accounts with “right of survivorship,” the surviving account holder has control of the account.
Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS): If responsible for the estate, notify the Office of Financial Recovery (OFR) for possible estate recovery if Long-Term Care services were paid by Medicaid.
Department of Revenue: Notify if the deceased had a business or owed estate taxes.
Credit Bureaus: It’s recommended to notify major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to prevent identity theft.
Notifying Credit Bureaus and Preventing Identity Theft
After the death of a loved one, it’s important to notify the major credit bureaus to prevent identity theft. By sending a copy of the deceased’s Death Certificate to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, you can help secure their credit profile and prevent fraudulent activity. Below are the contact details for each credit bureau:
Equifax: By phone: 1-888-766-0008 (toll-free)By mail: PO Box 105139, Atlanta, GA 30348
Experian: By phone: 1-888-397-3742By mail: PO Box 4500, Allen, TX 75013
TransUnion: By phone: 1-800-680-7289By mail: PO Box 2000, Chester, PA 19022
Taking these steps will help ensure the protection of your loved one’s personal information.
Understanding the Importance of Planning Ahead
Handling the practical matters after a death can be an overwhelming task during a time of grief. This checklist is intended to serve as a helpful guide to ensure that essential steps are addressed and important documents are located. Your family circumstances may require different action.
Working with an estate planning & probate attorney can assist you in developing a plan that protects your family, your assets, and creates a trusted partner that your family can turn to when the time comes for legal support. At View Ridge Family Law & Estate Planning, we can also help you navigate the probate process.
For assistance, call us at 206-703-0764 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.
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