Free checklist

After a death: the first 30 days

If you are reading this because someone has just died, we are sorry. This list puts what has to be done in order, so you can take it one line at a time. Your progress is saved on this device only.

This is general guidance for the United States, not legal advice. Rules differ by state. A funeral director or the probate court clerk can tell you what applies to you.

31 steps

Part 1 of 3

Today and tomorrow

Only what cannot wait. Everything to do with money can.

Get the death officially pronouncedHospital or care home staff do this. At home under hospice, call the hospice. If it was unexpected, call 911.
Tell close family, and ask one person to make the other calls
Arrange care for children, dependent adults and pets
Lock the home and the carAsk a neighbor to watch the house and take in the mail if it will be empty.
Look for funeral wishes or a prepaid funeral planOften kept with the will, in a desk drawer, or with a faith or veterans group.
Choose a funeral homeYou can ask for a written price list and compare before deciding.
Ask the funeral home to order certified death certificates
How many to order
Tell their employer, if they were workingAsk about final pay, benefits and any life insurance through work.
Find their phone, keep it charged and keep the line activeSign-in codes for most accounts arrive there by text. Do not cancel the phone plan yet.

Send this checklist to yourself

We will email you a link to this page and the guides it points to, so you can come back to it on any device.

Most of this list is a search. Yours does not have to be.

SuddenGone keeps a sealed list of your own accounts and sign-ins, numbers, hidden valuables, documents and wishes, and hands it to the people you choose after a confirmed passing. They open it with their own key, so it works even if it happens without warning. A guide tells you what to add first, and it is free to start.

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After a death: the first 30 days

Today and tomorrow

This week

This month

Send this checklist to yourself

Most of this list is a search. Yours does not have to be.