What to Do When
Someone Dies
Whether you received a 2 a.m. phone call with news of an
unexpected death or shared your loved one's final moments of a long
illness, your initial reaction to the death was likely shock. It
doesn't seem to matter how prepared we are - or aren't - a loved
one's death often leaves us feeling numb and bewildered. If you're
responsible for making the funeral arrangements or executing the
will, shock and grief can be immobilizing. Even simple decisions
can be overwhelming.
Making the first phone calls
What to do first depends on the circumstances of the death. When
someone dies in a hospital or similar care facility, the staff will
usually take care of some arrangements, such as contacting the
funeral home you choose, and if necessary, arranging an autopsy.
You will need to notify family, friends and clergy. It may be
easier on you to make a few phone calls to other relatives or
friends and ask each of them to make a phone call or two to
specific people, so the burden of spreading the news isn't all on
you. If you are alone, ask someone to keep you company while you
make these calls and try to cope with the first hours after the
death.
When someone dies at home or at work
If a person dies at home or at work, first call 911 or the
emergency phone number in your area. According to Eva Shaw, author
of "What to Do When a Loved One Dies," any death occurring without
a physician or medical personnel in attendance must be reported to
the police and an investigation held. After the coroner's
examination, the body will either be transported to the morgue for
autopsy or to the funeral home of your choice, depending on the
circumstances of death.
If your loved one was under medical care, be sure to notify the
doctor. If you don't know the doctor's name, look for prescription
bottles or medical bills. If the person was under the care of a
hospice program, call the hospice organization instead of 911.
Call the funeral director
Whatever the circumstances of death, one of your first calls
should be to a licensed funeral director. We can help you:
- transport the body
- obtain a death certificate
- select a casket, urn and/or grave marker
- arrange the funeral, memorial and/or burial service
- prepare the obituary
- help you notify the deceased's employer, attorney, insurance
company and banks
- offer grief support or direct you to other resources
Call the employer
If your loved one was working, you'll need to call his or her
employer immediately. Ask about the deceased's benefits and any pay
due, including vacation or sick time, disability income, etc. Ask
if you or other dependents are still eligible for benefit coverage
through the company. Ask whether there is a life insurance policy
through the employer, who the beneficiary is and how to file a
claim.
Call the life insurance company
Look through the deceased's paperwork for the life policy. Call
the agent or the company and ask how to file a claim. Usually the
beneficiary (or the beneficiary's guardian, if a minor) must
complete the claim forms and related paperwork. You'll need to
submit the death certificate and a claimant's statement to
establish proof of claim. Remember to ask about payment options.
You may have a choice between receiving a lump sum or the having
the insurance company place the money in an interest-bearing
account from which you can write checks.
Call Social Security and other
organizations
Notify Social Security of the death. If your loved one was
covered, the spouse or dependents may be eligible for certain
payments or benefits. Also call any unions, professional or service
organizations your loved one belonged to. He or she may have had
life insurance or other benefits through these organizations.
Gather important papers
Of course the first thing you may be looking for when someone dies
is the will or trust. But remember to gather other important
papers, such as deeds, business agreements, tax returns, bank
accounts, earnings statements, birth and marriage certificates,
military discharge papers, Social Security Number, vehicle
registration, loan payment books, bills, and any other important
papers pertaining to your loved one's affairs. You'll need these to
file a final tax return and settle the estate; you may want to
consult an accountant.
Executing the will
If you were named the executor of your loved one's will, you've
got more work to do. First, you'll need to file a probate case with
the court. Although an attorney isn't required in most states,
you'll probably want to hire one who is experienced in probate. You
may choose to hire the lawyer who prepared the will, but that isn't
necessary.
Depending on the specifics of the estate, probate can be
complicated and lengthy. As executor, you'll be responsible for
carrying out your loved one's wishes according to the will, paying
creditors and balancing the estate. There's no standard amount of
time a probate lasts, but some states are initiating laws to
expedite the process.
Dying intestate - without a will
If someone dies without a will - dying intestate - the court will
appoint an administrator. If you are appointed administrator, your
responsibilities will be similar to those of an executor:
distributing assets, paying creditors and balancing the estate.
Accessing bank accounts
If you have a joint account with the deceased you may be able to
conduct business as usual, depending upon how the account was
opened. Otherwise, normally only the will's executor or
administrator can access the account after providing the required
paperwork to the bank. Call or visit the bank to find out what is
required.
Finding help
Wrapping up your loved one's affairs can be tedious and stressful.
Find guidance you can trust to help you work out the details, such
as a funeral director, accountant, attorney, grief counselor and/or
clergy to help you manage the legal, financial and emotional issues
a death can bring.
Resources:
- "The Mourning Handbook: The Most Comprehensive Resource
Offering Both Practical and Compassionate Advice on Coping with All
Aspects of Death and Dying" by Helen Fitzgerald
- "I Wasn't Ready to Say Goodbye: Surviving, Coping and Healing
after the Sudden Death of a Loved One" by Brook Noel and Pamela D.
Blair
- "How to Go On Living When Someone You Love Dies" by Therese A.
Rando, Ph.D.
- "What to Do When a Loved One Dies: a practical and
compassionate guide to dealing with death on life's terms" by Eva
Shaw (Dickens Press, 1994).
- "Step by Step: Your Guide to Making Practical Decisions When a
Loved One Dies" by Ellen Shaw, (Quality Life Resources, 2001).
- AARP, www.aarp.org