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Bereavement Support Planning and practical tasks

Planning and practical tasks before and after a loss

When a loved one is seriously ill or has died, families are often faced with many decisions and responsibilities during an already emotional time. Some tasks may begin before a death occurs, while others happen in the days and weeks that follow.

This page provides guidance on some of the common steps families may need to consider, such as communicating with loved ones, making funeral arrangements, and handling important documents. You may choose to review this information ahead of time as part of planning, or return to it later when you feel ready.

Every family's situation is different. Use this information in whatever way feels most helpful to you and your family.

Practical tasks that can begin prior to death

Tasks to start soon after death

  • Notify close family and friends. You can ask someone to contact others on your behalf.
  • Notify your place of worship or religious leader, if desired.
  • Prepare an obituary, if you choose to do so.
  • Order multiple copies of the death certificate for future needs.

Tasks to start after the funeral or about a month after death

  • Transfer and close any bank accounts, savings accounts, and bonds in your loved one’s name.
  • Notify government programs that provided benefits, such as Social Security Administration (SSI, SSDI), Medicaid, Medicare, Food Stamps, and WIC.
  • Cancel medical insurance coverage for your loved one.
  • Notify physicians, therapists, and other healthcare professionals about your loved one’s passing.
  • Cancel prescriptions and home health services.
  • Contact your childcare facility, school, and/or afterschool programs to unenroll your loved one.
  • Cancel other memberships and activities, including library memberships, playgroups, sports, lessons (art, music, dance), scouting, and other programs.
  • Cancel phone numbers, social media accounts, websites, and email accounts to protect your loved one’s identity.
  • Review your social media settings to decide if you’d like to cancel notifications or apps related to parenting or your loved one’s interests.

If your loved one is an adolescent, young adult, or older adult, you may need to consider the following tasks

Tasks to start soon after death

  • Arrange for the care of your loved one’s pets, if needed.
  • If your loved one had a vehicle and/or apartment, begin the process of taking possession of their belongings. Make sure the space is secure, remove any valuables, and take steps to prevent theft or damage.
  • Notify the post office to forward your loved one’s mail, if necessary.

Tasks to start after the funeral or about a month after death:

Legal and financial

  • Gather important legal and financial documents, including wills, loans, deeds, titles, birth/marriage certificates, driver’s license, and passport. Other necessary documents include bank statements, insurance policies, tax returns, and military discharge papers.
  • Contact a lawyer about probate or a will, if needed.
  • Make a list of bills and debts and ensure they are paid.
  • Close credit card accounts, and notify all three credit reporting agencies.
  • Cancel or transfer automobile and other insurance policies.
  • Transfer titles and deeds that were in the name of the deceased.
  • Consult a tax preparer if a final income tax return or federal estate tax return is needed.

Medical providers and insurance

  • Notify medical insurance to end coverage for your loved one, but continue coverage for any dependents.
  • Notify physicians, therapists, and other healthcare professionals.
  • Cancel prescriptions and home health services.

Residence and vehicle

  • Cancel or transfer any utilities or services, including electric, gas, water, cable, phone, internet service provider, and cell phone provider.
  • Cancel or transfer homeowners, renters, automobile, and other insurance policies.
  • Transfer titles and deeds that were in the name of the deceased.

Government agencies and programs

  • Cancel driver’s license, passport, or other forms of identification.
  • Notify government programs that your loved one received benefits from, such as Social Security Administration (SSI, SSDI), Medicaid, Medicare, Food Stamps, WIC, etc.
  • Notify the registrar of voters/election board.

Other organizations and services

  • Cancel memberships in organizations such as clubs, religious groups, sports leagues, etc.
  • Un-enroll from school, training programs, or college.
  • Remove your loved one from marketing and mailing lists.
  • Cancel subscriptions and any regularly scheduled services.
  • Cancel email and website accounts to protect your loved one’s identity.
  • Notify social media platforms of your loved one’s death. You may delete the accounts or memorialize their pages, if desired.