Who to Call When a Loved One Dies

When a loved one dies, you will likely feel overwhelmed, sad, and stressed.  You may feel angry and scared as well.  All of these emotions are completely natural.

Your mind will likely start spinning and you wonder what you should do next.  The smallest task may seem insurmountable.  Know that you will get through it and that there is no emergency, meaning that you don’t have to get everything done right away.

Also, important to remember is that there are many people who will help you.  Who to call when a loved one dies:

• Family, friends, and clergy will likely be among your first telephone calls if you loved one died in a hospital or some other kind of care facility. 

• If your loved one died at home, you’ll likely call the funeral home first to have the body removed and to make arrangements. 

The funeral home will give you a check list of tasks to be completed and give you death certificates.  Ask for at least one for each asset owned.  If you don’t know how many assets your loved one owned yet, request 10 death certificates to get started.

The funeral home will also help you to write the obituary and have it published in the local paper so friends know about the death and the funeral or memorial services.

• Your estate planning attorney will walk you through estate and trust settlement.  She will be the calm in your storm, providing professional guidance with experience and empathy.
• If  your loved one was still employed, call the employer to give notice of death and stop health insurance coverage when a loved one dies.

• Your life insurance agent will assist you with receiving life insurance proceeds.
• The Social Security Administration will assist in stopping monthly payments and in processing any applicable survivor benefits. Similarly, if your loved one was a veteran, the Veterans Administration will assist with stopping monthly pension or compensation payments and determining eligibility for survivor benefits and burial assistance.