- If the person dies at home, you should contact a coroner or local police officer immediately.
- If the Decedent wanted to donate his or her body parts and tissues, then you must consider doing the further process for the same.
- Don't forget to notify your family, relatives, and friends about the sudden demise.
- If a doctor is not available, you must notify a coroner to get a death certificate.
- You will need to contact a funeral home regarding cremation or arrangements.
- You should also look for instructions that the Decedent might have left about preferences for burial and funeral arrangements.
- Discover if the Decedent was connected with any memorial society that may make some special arrangements for the cremation like military honor guards.
- Don't forget to contact the Social Security Administration, benefits program, or any other government agencies that may make payments to the Decedent.
- You should also check the Decedent’s commercial affairs and estate planning papers like Wills, Trusts, and other related documents such as:
- Divorce documentation
- Existence of Trust
- Funeral and Burial Plans
- Health Insurance
- Leases
- Life Insurance Policies
- Marriage, birth and death certificates
- Notes receivable
- Nuptial Agreements
- Old tax returns
- Pension-retirement benefits
- Prior Gift Tax returns
- Safe Deposit Agreements and keys
- Securities and list of securities
- Titles to motor vehicles
- Bank statements, checkbooks, and other relevant documents
- Computer records regarding books of a business or personal
- If decedent has written a Will, you need to take the Will to the relevant County or office to get it accepted for probate. If the decedent hasn't written a Will, and there is enough estate to probate, then the Court will designate an administrator. Moreover, the Decedent's assets shall be distributed according to state law.
- If there are minor kids and the Will is processed for the Guardian. Then, the guardian must be informed, and the kids should be located under the care of the designated custodian. If there is no guardian appointed, and there is no Will, then the Court has to appoint a guardian.