A survivor’s checklist
Survivors
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IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE DEATH, YOU SHOULD:
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1. Contact the funeral home to take your loved one into their care.
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2. Contact your minister.
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3. Alert immediate family members and close friends.
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4. If employed, contact the deceased’s employer.
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5. If applicable, notify agent under Power of Attorney
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6. Alert the executor of your loved one’s Will.
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7. Notify religious, fraternal, and civic organizations that your loved one was a member of.
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8. Notify your attorney regarding the probate of the estate
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9. Arrange for the care of any dependents
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10. If the deceased had any pets, arrange for their immediate care.
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11. Remove any valuables from the deceased’s home, secure the residence, and take steps to make the home appear to be occupied (for example, use of lamp timers).
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12. Arrange for the disposal of any perishables left in the deceased’s home- such as food, refrigerated items, and existing refuse.
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13. Alert the Post Office to forward the deceased’s mail.
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14. Locate loved one’s important documents: Will, Birth certificate, Social Security card, Marriage license, Military discharge papers (DD-214), Deed to burial property, Copy of funeral prearrangements, Life insurance policies
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15. Compile the following information that the funeral home will need in order to finalize the death certificate: Deceased’s first, middle, and last name, Deceased’s Maiden Name (if applicable)x Deceased’s Home Address, Deceased’s Social Security Number, Deceased’s Date of Birth, Deceased’s Date of Death, Deceased’s Age, Deceased’s Gender, Race/Ethnicity, Marital Status, Spouse’s first and last name, Deceased’s highest level of education attained, Deceased’s Occupation, Deceased’s Place of Birth (City and State), Deceased’s Father’s Name - Birth City, Birth State, Deceased’s Mother’s Name - Birth City, Birth State, If your loved one was a Veteran - Entered Service Date, Entered Service Place, Service Number, Separated from Service Date, Separated from Service Place, Grade, Rank or Rating Organization and Branch of Service
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WITHIN ONE MONTH OF THE DEATH, YOU SHOULD:
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1. Consult with an attorney about probate
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2. Meet with an accountant to discuss estate taxes.
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3. File claims with life insurance companies.
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4. Contact the Social Security Administration and other government offices that may have been making payments to the decedent. If the decedent was your spouse, inquire about your eligibility for new benefits.
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5. Notify the Registrar of Voters.
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6. If the deceased’s home is unoccupied, cancel unnecessary home services, such as newspaper delivery, cable service, etc.
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7. Cancel deceased’s prescriptions
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8. Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles to cancel deceased’s drivers license and transfer titles of all registered vehicles
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9. If your loved one was a veteran, inquire about benefits that you may be entitled to through the VA.
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10. Contact the deceased’s employer. Inquire about any 401 (k), pension, or company benefits that the decedent may be entitled to.
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11. Notify all 3 credit reporting agencies.
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12. Obtain a current copy of the deceased’s credit report.
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13. If the death was accidental, verify whether benefits are available on existing insurance policies.
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14. Check for any life insurance benefits available through existing credit card or loan accounts.
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15. File any outstanding claims for health insurance or Medicare
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16. Obtain copies of deceased’s outstanding bills.
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17. Locate and/or obtain other important paperwork of the necessary for the settlement of their estate: At least 12 copies of the certified Death Certificates, Real estate deeds and titles, Stock certificates, Real estate titles, Loan paperwork, Bank and retirement account statements, Last 4 years of tax returns
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18. Advise all creditors in writing that a death has occurred.
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19. Change ownership of assets and lines of credit
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20. Update your Will.
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21. Update beneficiaries on your life insurance policies, if necessary
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22. Send acknowledgement cards for flowers, donations, food, kindness. Also remember to thank pallbearers.
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23. Organize and distribute decedent’s personal belongings.
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24. Remove loved one’s from marketing and mailing lists.
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