Grasping the Reality of a Death
It is an emotional rollercoaster when someone you love passes away. You barely have time to register what just happened when you are forced to deal with a long list of things you need to do. If your loved one planned ahead, many of the decisions should already be made for you. However, if you find yourself at a loss, you may wish to follow a premade checklist.
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Notify Family and Friends
One of the first things you'll need to do is notify any friends and family members of your loved one's death. You also need to notify the coroner if the person was an organ donor. Remember to also notify your loved one's doctor. You may also need to fill out a Form 36 regarding any Social Security benefits your loved one may have been receiving.
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Make Funeral Arrangements
The next important step is to set up the funeral in an organized order. If there is a will, it may specify the details of the funeral, including the funeral home to use, the type of grave marker , and funds to pay for it. If not, you or the executor of the estate may need to make these decisions. Keep in mind that the cost of a funeral differs by type.
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Settle the Estate
If you are the executor of your loved one's estate, you'll need to take care of the duties that entails, which can include notifying and paying debtors and executing a will. You will need to be very organized and keep detailed records of expenses from the estate to bring an account before the court. It can take a long time to settle an estate.