Guide · When someone dies

What to Do When Someone Dies: A Step-by-Step Guide

A calm, practical walkthrough of what to do when a loved one passes — the first hours, the first weeks, and settling the estate — with the documents you'll need at each step.

Last updated July 22, 2026 · by Lurra

When someone dies, the first step is always to get a legal pronouncement of death — call 911, or hospice if they were in hospice care. From there the work falls into three stages: the first hours (pronouncement, notifying close family, securing the home), the first weeks (death certificates, notifying banks and agencies), and settling the estate (the will, debts, and distributing what remains).

Losing someone is disorienting, and the list of things that suddenly need doing can feel impossible on top of grief. This guide breaks it into a clear order so you always know the next right step — and nothing important slips through. Take it one stage at a time.

You don't have to do everything today. Only a few things are truly urgent in the first 24–48 hours; most of the rest can wait until you've caught your breath.

What do you do in the first 24 hours?

Get a legal pronouncement of death, notify immediate family, and make sure the home, pets, and valuables are cared for. Then contact a funeral home or cremation provider — they'll guide you through the immediate arrangements and can order death certificates.

•Get a legal pronouncement of death. Hospital or hospice staff handle this; if the death was at home and unexpected, call 911.
•Notify immediate family and a couple of close friends. Ask one or two of them to help you with calls and errands.
•Care for pets and secure the home. Collect mail, lock up, and arrange for anyone or anything that depended on your loved one.
•Contact a funeral home or cremation provider. They coordinate transport, arrangements, and usually order the death certificates.

What do you handle in the first two weeks?

Order certified death certificates, locate the will and financial documents, and begin notifying the organizations that need to know — Social Security, employers or pensions, banks, and insurance companies. Each will tell you exactly what they require.

Who needs to be notified?

•Social Security Administration (and any other benefits provider).
•Employer or pension plan, for final pay and any survivor benefits.
•Banks and investment firms holding accounts.
•Life, health, auto, and home insurers.
•Credit card companies and lenders, so balances and autopayments are handled correctly.

A practical tip: keep a simple log of who you called, when, and what they asked for. You'll be repeating similar information many times, and a log keeps it from becoming a blur.

What documents will your family need?

You'll most often need certified death certificates, the will or trust, life insurance policies, bank and investment account details, the deed to any property, recent tax returns, and a list of debts. Having these in one place turns weeks of searching into an afternoon.

This is where families get stuck most often — not because the steps are hard, but because the documents are scattered across drawers, inboxes, and institutions no one remembers. Our death binder checklist lays out everything to gather, and Lurra keeps it organized and shareable before it's ever needed.

How do you settle the estate?

Settling an estate generally means opening it (often through probate), paying valid debts and taxes, and distributing what remains according to the will or state law. Whether you need probate — and how involved it is — depends on your state and how the assets were held.

Some assets pass outside probate entirely — for example, accounts with a named beneficiary or property held jointly. Others must go through the court process. If the estate includes a home, meaningful assets, debts, or any family disagreement, talk to an estate attorney early; a short consultation can prevent expensive missteps.

None of this is legal or financial advice, and the exact steps depend on your state and situation. When in doubt, an estate attorney or your local probate court can point you to the right process.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do first when someone dies at home?

Call 911 (or hospice, if they were under hospice care) so a medical professional can make a legal pronouncement of death. Nothing else — funeral arrangements, notifications, or accounts — can move forward until the death is officially pronounced and documented.

How many death certificates should I order?

Order more than you think you'll need. Each bank, insurance company, and government agency typically requires its own certified original, so many families order ten or more. It's far easier to order extras up front than to request more later. The funeral home can usually order them for you.

Do I need a lawyer to settle an estate?

Not always. Small or simple estates can sometimes be settled without one, and some states offer a simplified process for estates under a certain value. But if there's a house, significant assets, debts, business interests, or family disagreement, an estate attorney will save you time and costly mistakes.

What documents will I need to settle everything?

Commonly: certified death certificates, the will or trust, life insurance policies, bank and investment account details, the deed to any property, recent tax returns, and a list of debts and bills. Gathering these first makes every later step faster.

How long does it take to settle an estate?

It varies widely — a simple estate might close in a few months, while one that goes through full probate can take a year or more. The timeline depends on your state, the size and complexity of the estate, and whether any disputes arise.

Continue in this guide

Death binder checklistEverything your family needs, in one place.What to do when a parent diesThe complete step-by-step checklist.Organize important documentsBefore you need them.What happens without a willAnd what it costs the people left behind.

Prepare your family before the hard day comes

Start your 7-day free trial (card required), organize what matters in one secure place, and see exactly how prepared your family is. Cancel anytime before the trial ends and you won't be charged.

Start your 7-day free trial →