What to Do in the First 24 Hours After Someone Dies

Start Here

1. Follow the instructions for where the death occurred

If your loved one died in a hospital, hospice facility, nursing facility, or other care setting, staff will generally guide you through the immediate procedures.

If the death occurred somewhere else, the appropriate next step will depend on the circumstances. Contact the appropriate medical professional, hospice provider, emergency service, or local authority for instructions.

2. Tell the people who need to know now

Start with immediate family and anyone whose help is needed right away.

You do not have to personally contact everyone.

Consider asking one trusted person to update extended family and friends for you.

3. Look for any funeral or burial wishes

Before making arrangements, check whether your loved one left instructions about:

• Burial or cremation
• Funeral or memorial preferences
• A preferred funeral home
• Prepaid arrangements
• Cemetery arrangements
• Religious or cultural wishes
• People they wanted involved

4. Make sure the immediate responsibilities are covered

If your loved one lived alone, ask:

• Is the home secure?
• Are there pets that need care?
• Who has the keys?
• Are vehicles secure?
• Is there an appointment or responsibility someone needs to cancel?
• Are important documents and valuables protected?

You are not trying to organize the entire estate today. You are simply preventing an immediate problem.

Gather These If You Can Find Them Easily

Do not turn the first day into a document hunt.

If they are readily available, start identifying:

• Identification
• Funeral or burial instructions
• Will or estate documents
• Insurance information
• Important family contacts
• Attorney information
• Financial professional information
• Employer information
• Military information, if applicable

Finding something does not mean you need to act on it today.

For now, you may simply need to know that it exists and where it is.

What Can Usually Wait?

This is the part families often do not realize.

You probably do not need to immediately:

• Close bank accounts
• Cancel credit cards
• Cancel the person's phone
• Empty the house
• Give away belongings
• Sell property
• Distribute possessions
• Resolve every bill
• Notify every organization
• Settle the entire estate

Some of these actions can have legal or financial consequences.

Before making a permanent change, make sure you understand who has the authority to make it.

Once the first day is handled, "What Can Wait After Someone Dies?" can help you tell the difference between what feels urgent and what actually needs attention next.

One Thing That Can Make the Next Few Days Easier

Start one running record.

Every time you speak with someone, write down:

Who: Who did you speak with?

What: What did they tell you?

Need: What do they need from you?

Next: What happens next?

Questions: What still needs an answer?

You are going to receive a lot of information. Do not make yourself responsible for remembering all of it.

Questions Worth Asking

• What actually needs to happen today?
• What can wait?
• Who has the authority to make this decision?
• Did my loved one leave instructions?
• Is there anything we should not cancel, move, distribute, or throw away yet?
• What documents will we eventually need?
• Should we speak with a professional before doing this?

When to Bring in a Professional

Depending on the circumstances, you may need help from a funeral professional, attorney, CPA or tax professional, insurance professional, financial professional, physician, hospice provider, government agency, or another qualified professional.

Professional guidance can be particularly important when there are questions about:

• Legal authority
• Estate property
• Debts
• Taxes
• Beneficiaries
• Insurance
• Real estate
• Business ownership
• Family disagreements
• Unusual circumstances surrounding the death

If you are unsure whether an action can be reversed, consider getting appropriate guidance before taking it.

Remember This

Handle what truly needs attention.

Protect what needs protecting.

Write down what you do not want to forget.

Let the rest wait until it is time to handle it.