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Your Loved One has Passed, Here’s What to Do Next 

When a loved one passes, knowing what to do next can bring comfort. This guide helps you carry out their wishes with confidence and care. 

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What to Expect

The passing of a loved one is never easy, and if you’ve been named as executor, the road ahead can feel overwhelming. This guide breaks down what needs to happen and when, helping you close out your loved one’s estate with care and order. 

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Review the responsibilities of the executor of the estate and what to expect 

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The Complete Executor's Guide: From First Days to Final Distribution 
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What to Expect

The passing of a loved one is never easy, and if you’ve been named as executor, the road ahead can feel overwhelming. This guide breaks down what needs to happen and when, helping you close out your loved one’s estate with care and order. 

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Learn More

Review the responsibilities of the executor of the estate and what to expect 

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The Complete Executor's Guide: From First Days to Final Distribution 
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Within the First Two Days 

In the first two days of a loved one’s passing, the focus is on securing their home, notifying key people, and ensuring that urgent needs, like care for pets or dependents, are handled with care and calm.

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Review the responsibilities of the executor of the estate and what to expect 

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Death Certificate Request Guide

What to Do

Secure Legal Pronouncement of Death

  • If in a hospital or hospice, staff will do this

  • If death occurs at home and was not expected, call 911

Notify Close Family and Friends

  • Begin informing immediate family members

  • Notify employer (if applicable)

  • Use email, social media, and phone to spread the word

Secure Property

  • Lock residence and vehicles

  • Arrange for care of pets

  • Safeguard valuables like jewelry and documents

Locate and Review End-of-Life Wishes

  • Check for funeral instructions, organ donation, or pre-paid burial plans (if donating organs or full body - notifications may need to go out within hours of your loved one passing)

  • Direct any service providers to delete their personal information from records

Consider an Obituary

  • Optional, generally publish 24-72 hours after death, or within a week if more time is needed

  • Benefits: Announces death, provides service details, celebrates life, and offers closure

  • Newspapers can be more costly and may require 24-48 hour lead time, online obituaries offer immediate posting with ability to update

  • Alternative approach is to consider brief death notice first, then full obituary later if time is needed

Reference the complete guide for more detailed instructions

Funeral Solutions

Comprehensive support for navigating loss and planning meaningful farewells

  • Funeral planning and concierge service offering 24/7 advisors, price comparison, and comprehensive end-of-life planning tools.

  • Digital funeral home comparison platform providing pricing information, reviews, and resources for funeral planning.

  • End-of-life planning platform offering tools, resources, and educational content for funeral and estate planning.

Within the First Two Weeks

This phase is about laying the foundation for what comes next, your role expands to include official notifications, planning services, and beginning the process of gathering financial and legal information.

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Review the important steps to take the first two weeks after loss.

What to Do

Reference the complete guide for more detailed instructions

Arrange Funeral and Burial 

  • Choose funeral home

  • Confirm cremation or burial wishes

  • Organize service details (religious rites, music, speakers)

Obtain Death Certificates

  • Critical documentation required for legal and financial transactions

  • Order 10 - 15 certified copies from the funeral home ovital records office

Key Contacts and Institutions to Notify

  • Government Agencies (i.e. Social Security)

  • Financial Institutions

  • Employers and Other Organizations

  • Household and Utilities

  • Insurance Providers

  • Medical Care Providers

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Within the First Month 

During the first month, you’ll formally step into the role of executor, you’ll begin the legal process of settling the estate, from initiating probate to opening an estate bank account and notifying financial institutions.

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Review the responsibilities of the executor of the estate and what to expect 

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Conversation Guide: Speaking with Financial Institutions

What to Do

Locate the Will and Trusts

  • Find original copies and determine if probate is required

File Probate

  • If required, file the Will with probate court within 30 days (state dependent)

  • For help in determining whether probate is necessary, see our Executor Responsibilities page

Secure Financial and Property Records

  • Locate bank and investment accounts, real estate titles, insurance policies, tax records, and digital logins

Open Estate Bank Account

  • A separate bank account should be created solely for the purpose of settling the estate

  • Used for receiving funds and paying estate-related bills

Key Contacts and Institutions to Notify

  • Government Agencies (if not already notified)

  • Financial Institutions (if not already notified)

  • Employers and Other Organizations (if not already notified)

  • Digital and Subscription Services

  • Insurance Providers (if not already notified)

  • Legal and Professional Services 

Reference the complete guide for more detailed instructions

Digital Guidance

Explore technology-driven solutions and expert advice on managing an estate

  • Award-winning online software that provides step-by-step guidance and automated accounting for estate executors, with state-specific customization for all US jurisdictions.

  • Online platform that creates custom executor plans with interactive checklists and guidance, founded by Miami University business professor after personal experience as an executor.

  • Professional estate administration services company providing hands-on support and project management for executors, with focus on personal service and relationship management.

Within the First 3 Months

This phase if about follow-through, you’ll organize the full inventory of the estate, continue paying bills, and begin the appraisal and valuation process where needed.

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Step-by-Step Instructions 

Review the responsibilities of the executor of the estate and what to expect 

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Conversation Guide: Family Discussions About Inheritance  
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Estate Administration Complete Checklist 3 Months Through Completion  

What to Do

Inventory and Appraise All Assets

  • Financial:  bank accounts, stocks, bonds, retirement accounts

  • Physical:  home, vehicles, personal belongings

  • Digital: online stores, cryptocurrencies, cloud accounts

Settle Debts and Liabilities

  • List all creditors and recurring bills

  • Notify mortgage companies, credit card issuers, lenders

File Taxes

  • File final income tax return and potentially estate tax return

  • Consider hiring an estate attorney and CPA

Apply for Benefits

  • File claims with SSA, Veterans' benefits, pensions, life insurance

Reference the complete guide for more detailed instructions

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Ongoing Until Complete

This final stage can lasts months or even years and it’s all about closure – resolving taxes, making distributions, and ensuing your loved one’s final affairs are fully settled with care and respect.

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Review the responsibilities of the executor of the estate and what to expect 

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Conversation Guide: When Family Members Disagree on Belongings

What to Do

Continue Probate or Estate Administration

  • Ensure proper distribution of assets per Will or legal guidelines

  • Keep detailed records and receipts

Maintain and Distribute Physical Property

  • Clear and sell real estate if applicable

  • Distribute personal items and keepsakes according to the Will

File Final Reports

  • Prepare estate accounting for probate court

  • Submit final estate and inheritance tax forms, if required

Close Estate Bank Account

  • Once debts are paid and assets distributed

Reference the complete guide for more detailed instructions

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