Complete step-by-step guide on what to do when someone dies. Handle death certificates, funeral arrangements & estate planning. 24/7 expert help available.
What To Do When Someone Dies Checklist
Immediate Actions
Step 1: Get an Official Death Pronouncement
Step 2: Contact or Select a Provider
Step 3: Arrange Transportation of the Body
Step 4: Locate End-of-Life Documents
Step 6: Notify Family & Friends
Step 6: Secure Property and Belongings
Within a Few Days
Step 7: Plan a Memorial Service or Funeral
Step 8: Order Death Certificates
Step 9: Notify Relevant Organizations
In the Following Weeks
Step 10: Probate and Estate Planning
Step 11: Financial Account Management
Step 12: Cancel or Transfer Accounts
Losing someone you love is one of life’s most challenging experiences. While you’re processing grief, there are immediate decisions and legal requirements that can’t wait.
Whether the death was expected or sudden, at home or in a hospital, this complete death checklist will help you navigate what to do when someone dies step-by-step with clarity and confidence.
Need immediate help? Talk to an Everis licensed funeral specialist 24/7 who will answer every question without rushing you. No funeral home visit required.
Immediate Actions
When someone dies, certain steps must be completed immediately. This death checklist ensures nothing critical is overlooked during this difficult time.
Step 1: Get an Official Death Pronouncement
Before anything else can happen, a medical professional must officially pronounce death. Here’s what to do when someone dies based on location:
If death occurred at home with hospice care:
- Contact the hospice organization first
- They will guide you through the next steps
- A hospice nurse will come to pronounce death
If death was unexpected at home:
- Call 911 immediately
- Police and paramedics will respond
- The coroner may need to investigate
If death occurred in a hospital or care facility:
- Staff will handle the pronouncement
- They’ll walk you through immediate next steps
- No additional calls necessary
Need guidance right now? Everis funeral specialists are available 24/7 to walk you through every step. Call anytime for compassionate support.
Step 2: Contact or Select a Provider
If your loved one has pre-arranged funeral plans, contact their provider immediately. If not, you’ll need to select a provider quickly to handle transportation and body storage with expert guidance.
Northern California families have several options for funeral arrangements:
Traditional funeral homes:
- Full-service but often expensive ($7,000-$15,000)
- Requires a funeral home visit
- Often sales-based
- Memorials may be an extra cost
- Burial focused
Direct cremation providers:
- Low cost ($1,500-$3,000 + add-ons)
- Minimal human guidance, often scripted
- Arrange online with limited support
- Flame cremation only
- Memorial not included
Modern alternatives like Everis:
- Arrange everything online or by phone 24/7
- Transparent, all-inclusive pricing starting at $4,150
- 24/7 real human support from licensed funeral specialists
- Carbon-neutral cremation options including flame, water & soil
- Memorial in a protected forest with a ceremony & marker included
- No funeral home visit required
Cremation vs Burial: What to Consider
When deciding what to do when someone dies, you’ll need to choose between cremation or burial:
Cremation (chosen by 70% of California families):
- Faster timeline
- More affordable ($1,500-$3,000 + add-ons for direct cremation in California)
- Greater flexibility for memorial services
- Options include traditional cremation (fire), aquamation (water), or natural organic reduction NOR (soil)
By 2045, cremation is projected to reach 82.1% of California families, reflecting changing values around cost, environmental impact, and memorial preferences.
Traditional burial:
- Longer timeline
- Higher costs ($15,000+ average in Northern California)
- Requires cemetery plot, casket, and vault
- More formal timeline and coordination required
Fewer Californians are choosing traditional burial over cremation primarily due to cost, environmental concerns, and increased flexibility offered by modern alternatives like carbon-neutral cremation.
Modern eco-friendly options:
- Carbon-neutral cremation (flame cremation): Traditional method that uses heat and flame to reduce the body to ashes. Carbon neutrality achieved through offsets like tree planting.
- Aquamation (water cremation): A gentle, flameless process that uses water and heat to return the body to its natural elements. Produces no greenhouse gases and uses 90% less energy.
- Natural organic reduction (soil cremation): Transforms body into soil through natural process. The process can be carbon neutral or carbon-negative.
- Green burial: No embalming, biodegradable materials only. Considered more eco-friendly than traditional burial.
Getting overwhelmed? Everis offers all carbon-neutral cremation options across Northern California, with 24/7 guidance to help you choose what aligns with your values.
Step 3: Arrange Transportation of the Body
Once you select a funeral care provider the body must be moved to a funeral home, crematory, or a morgue (if you have not yet chosen a provider).
In Northern California:
- Most funeral homes offer transportation services
- Modern services like Everis provide immediate 24/7 transportation
- Focus on respectful, dignified care
Step 4: Locate End-of-Life Documents
Next, locate critical end-of-life documents to understand their final wishes and handle legal requirements:
Essential documents to find:
- Will and estate planning documents
- Letter of instruction outlining their wishes
- Insurance policies (life, health, property)
- Financial account information
- Social Security card and birth certificate
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Military discharge papers (if applicable)
If no formal instructions exist, talk to family and friends about any conversations regarding their wishes for funeral arrangements.
Step 5: Notify Family & Friends
Start with immediate family, then close friends. Here’s how to handle this difficult step:
Best practices:
- Ask 1-2 people to help spread the word (prevents repetitive difficult calls)
- Share news in person or by phone – avoid text and email for immediate family
- Don’t feel obligated to have all answers immediately – details can come later
- Focus on the essential information first
Need help with notifications? Everis specialists can guide you through who to contact and when, reducing stress during this emotional time.
Step 6: Secure Property and Belongings
Take immediate security steps to protect your loved one’s property:
Immediate security checklist:
- Ensure home and car are locked
- Secure valuables (jewelry, cash, collectibles) in a safe or take home
- Notify trusted neighbors about the situation
- Collect mail and packages
- Set lights on timers if house will be empty
Within a Few Days
After handling immediate needs, focus on funeral planning and essential notifications.
Step 7: Plan a Memorial Service or Funeral
Work with your chosen provider on service details, considering your loved one’s wishes and what brings comfort to family.
Key considerations for funeral arrangements:
- Review any written instructions left behind
- Consider religious or cultural traditions
- Determine military funeral and burial benefits eligibility
- Remember: there’s no “right” way to honor someone
- Think about what will bring comfort to grieving family members
Write and submit obituary:
- Many newspapers have online submission processes
- Modern alternatives like Everis include online interactive obituaries where loved ones can share stories and photos
- Use an obituary template if you need help getting started
Planning feels overwhelming? Everis includes memorial planning with transparent pricing— everything you need in one package, no hidden fees, no surprises.
Step 8: Order Death Certificates
Death certificates are required for nearly every legal and financial task ahead. Here’s what you need to know:
How to obtain death certificates:
- Contact the vital records office in your state
- Provide deceased’s full name, date and place of death, Social Security number
- Show your relationship or reason for requesting certificates
Important details:
- Order at least 10 certified copies (you’ll need them for multiple purposes)
- Required for closing accounts, insurance claims, property transfers
- Processing takes 3-5 business days in most Northern California counties
- Rush services available for $10-15 extra
- Your funeral provider may handle this on your behalf
Step 9: Notify Relevant Organizations
Once you have the death certificate, begin notifying organizations:
Social Security Administration:
- Report death immediately to stop benefit payments
- Call 1-800-772-1213
- Surviving spouses may be eligible for benefits
- Return any overpayments if benefits continue after death
Insurance companies:
- Life insurance: Begin claims process immediately
- Health insurance: Understand when coverage ends
- Auto/home insurance: Update policies or cancel
- Check with employers for additional life insurance benefits
Banks and financial institutions:
- Notify all banks with accounts
- Joint accounts may convert to individual accounts
- Individual accounts freeze until probate
- Redirect or cancel automated payments and deposits
Employer (current or former):
- Stop payroll and benefits
- Inquire about life insurance, pension benefits, or final paychecks
- COBRA health insurance options for surviving family
- 401(k) or retirement account beneficiaries
In the Following Weeks
After cremation or burial, focus on settling the estate and financial affairs. This bereavement process can be quick or take years, depending on complexity.
Step 10: Probate and Estate Planning
Submit the will to your local probate court. If there’s a trust, probate may be avoidable, speeding up the estate settlement process.
Probate process steps:
- Executor files will with probate court within 30 days (required in most Northern California counties)
- Bring certified death certificate and original will
- Consider attorney consultation for estates over $50,000
- Court follows local laws for asset distribution if no will exists
Estate planning attorney consultation recommended for:
- Complex estates requiring professional guidance
- Navigation of probate process
- Tax implications advice
- Property transfers and account changes
Step 11: Financial Account Management
Handle all financial accounts systematically.
Investment and retirement accounts:
- Contact all investment firms and 401(k) administrators
- Beneficiary designations may allow direct transfer
- Required minimum distributions may need to continue
- Tax implications vary by account type
Credit cards and debts:
- Notify credit card companies of death
- Stop using deceased’s credit cards immediately
- Estate is responsible for legitimate debts
- Don’t pay debts from your personal accounts
Government benefits:
- Veterans benefits: Contact VA at 1-800-827-1000
- Medicare: Notify at 1-800-633-4227
- Cancel state benefits or assistance programs
- Update property tax exemptions
Step 12: Cancel or Transfer Accounts
Handle digital accounts and services.
Social media and online accounts:
- Facebook, Instagram: Can be memorialized or deleted
- Email accounts: May need access for account notifications
- Subscription services: Netflix, Spotify, etc.
- Cloud storage: Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox
Technology and devices:
- Smartphones: Contact carrier to transfer or cancel service
- Internet and cable: Update or cancel services
- Online banking and financial apps
- Password managers and digital wallets
Frequently Asked Questions About What to Do When Someone Dies
What do I do immediately when someone dies at home?
If death was expected with hospice care, call the hospice organization first. For unexpected deaths, call 911 immediately. Do not move the body until medical professionals arrive.
How many death certificates should I order?
Order at least 10 certified copies of the death certificate. You’ll need them for insurance claims, bank accounts, property transfers, and estate planning. It’s easier to order extra copies now than to request more later.
How long does the probate process take in Northern California?
Simple probate cases may take 6-12 months, while complex estates can take 2+ years. Having a trust instead of just a will can help avoid or simplify probate.
What’s the difference between cremation and aquamation?
Traditional cremation uses flame and heat, while aquamation uses water and gentle heat. Aquamation produces no greenhouse gases and uses 90% less energy, making it more environmentally friendly.
Do I need to visit a funeral home to make arrangements?
No. Modern services like Everis allow you to arrange everything online or by phone with 24/7 support from licensed funeral specialists, eliminating the need for in-person visits during your time of grief.
What happens if someone dies without a will in California?
California intestate succession laws determine how assets are distributed, typically to spouse and children first, then other family members. The probate court oversees this process.
Getting Help When You Need It Most
Losing someone you love is devastating, but you have more options than ever before: transparent, online services, eco-conscious cremation choices, and modern alternatives to traditional funeral homes.
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s honoring your loved one while handling necessary legal and practical requirements. This death checklist provides the roadmap, but you don’t have to navigate it alone.
If you’re going through this right now, immediate help is available.
Everis offers 24/7 guidance from licensed funeral specialists who can answer questions, provide transparent pricing, or help with immediate arrangements. We provide carbon-neutral cremation, aquamation, and natural organic reduction with forest memorials included starting at $4,150—everything included, no hidden fees.
Why families in Northern California choose Everis:
- Arrange everything online or by phone, no funeral home visit required
- One platform handles it all: cremation, documents, obituaries, insurance, memorials
- 24/7 support without sales pressure—just honest help when you need it most
- Transparent all-inclusive pricing with no surprise costs
- Memorial in a protected forest with ceremony and marker included
- Carbon-neutral options that align with your values
Contact Everis 24/7 for immediate support with funeral arrangements, cremation services, or any questions about what to do when someone dies.
