Cemetery Directory USA
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What to Do When Someone Dies: Interactive Checklist

A practical list of what to do after a death, in the order most families need it. Tick tasks off as you go; your progress is saved in this browser so you can come back to it.

0 of 28 tasks done
Right away

First hours

Within about a week

First days

Within about a month

First weeks

Over the following months

First months

Your ticks are saved only in this browser on this device. Nothing is sent to us.

How to use this checklist

The tasks are grouped by when they usually come up: the first hours, the first days, the first weeks and the following months. Not every task applies to every family, and many can be shared between relatives. Print the list to divide the work, or keep this page open on your phone.

Each step is explained in more detail in What to Do When Someone Dies. For the paperwork side, see How Many Death Certificates Do You Need? and How to Write an Obituary.

Getting help with costs

Use the burial cost calculator to compare quotes from funeral homes and cemeteries, and the VA burial eligibility checker if the person served in the military. To find a cemetery, browse by state or search for cemeteries near you.

Updated November 8, 2026 · Built and reviewed by the Cemetery Directory USA editors.This tool runs in your browser; nothing you enter is sent to us or stored.

Frequently asked questions

What is the first thing to do when someone dies at home?

If the death was expected and the person was in hospice care, call the hospice nurse, who can pronounce death. If it was unexpected, call 911. Nothing else can proceed until death is legally pronounced.

Who notifies Social Security?

In most cases the funeral home reports the death to Social Security when you give it the person's Social Security number. It is still worth confirming, especially if the person received benefits.

Do I have to do everything on this list?

No. Which tasks apply depends on the person's situation, such as whether they were a veteran, owned property or had a will. Skip anything that does not apply.

Is my checklist saved?

Your ticks are stored only in this browser on this device. They are not sent to us, and they disappear if you clear your browser data or use a private window.