Checklist for Survivors

by Karen L. Brady

CHECKLIST FOR SURVIVORS
What to do at time of death:

• Immediately arrange donation of body parts (authorized before death).
• Contact funeral director or memorial society.
• Notify friends, relatives and employer.
• Create list of flowers, cards, donations and other expressions of sympathy.
• Arrange for help as needed with childcare, pet care, cooking, telephones, etc.
• Arrange for cemetery lot, mausoleum, or crypt if necessary.
• Arrange for funeral and/or memorial service.
• Provide obituary for applicable newspapers.
• Arrange for after-service luncheon or gathering for friends and relatives.
• Obtain a minimum of eight certified copies of death certificates.

What to do after the funeral service:

• Send notes to acknowledge expressions of sympathy.
• Notify life insurance companies and file claim forms.
• Notify other insurance providers and file claims where applicable:

- Medical, health, disability, accident, and travel

- Vehicle

- Residence

• Apply for appropriate benefits:

- Social Security benefits

- Veteran’s burial and other applicable benefits

- Pension benefits

- Worker’s compensation benefits

• Meet with lawyer to commence probate proceedings (if necessary) or trust administration.

- Take original will and trust (if appropriate).

• Assist with inventory of assets, etc.
• Notify accountant/tax preparer/estate lawyer to prepare final tax returns.

- Take copies of recent tax returns.

• Notify stockbroker(s).

- Change ownership of stock accounts by removing name of decedent, if not in trust.

- Suspend open orders of decedent.

• Notify banker(s).

- Change ownership of joint accounts by removing name of the decedent, if not in trust.

• Notify credit card companies and credit bureaus. Close accounts & destroy cards.
• Contact airlines to transfer frequent flyer miles to primary beneficiary.