When someone dies, it can be hard to know who needs to be contacted right away and who can wait. This page is a calm starting point: first things first, then the next few calls, then the tasks you can handle later. You do not need to do everything at once.
Start with the first calls, then use our step-by-step guides for the rest.
Start with the first calls
The first calls depend on where and how the death happened. Not everything needs to happen at once — a short list of calls usually comes first, and the rest can follow over the coming days.
—If the death was unexpected or happened at home, contact emergency services or the appropriate medical professional first
—If hospice was involved, call the hospice nurse or care team
—If the person died in a hospital or care facility, staff will usually guide the immediate next steps
—Then contact the funeral home or cremation provider when you're ready
—Let close family or your main support person know, so one person can help coordinate communication
Who to contact in the first 24–72 hours
These contacts tend to matter most in the first day or two after a loss.
—Close family and the main decision-maker
—Funeral home or cremation provider
—Employer or HR, if the person was working
—Care providers or facility contacts
—Faith leader or community support person, if helpful
Who can usually wait a little longer
Some calls and tasks can wait until you have a moment to breathe and gather information.
—Banks and financial institutions
—Credit card companies
—Life insurance companies
—Government agencies
—Utilities, subscriptions, and online services
Before you start calling
A little preparation can make the calls feel less overwhelming.
—Have a certified death certificate or know how to get one
—Write down the deceased's full legal name and date of birth
—Keep a simple list of who you have contacted and what they said
—Ask someone to sit with you or make the calls alongside you
You may be asked for documents
Institutions often need certain documents before they can share information or take action — but not all at once, and not all today.
—A certified death certificate
—Your own identification
—Executor or administrator paperwork, if it exists
—Policy or account numbers, if you have them
—Our guide on what documents you may need walks through this in more detail
If you're not sure who should be making the calls
It's common to feel uncertain about who is allowed to act. Legal authority and family relationship are not always the same thing.
—A spouse or next of kin can usually handle immediate arrangements
—Banks and insurance companies may need formal paperwork before releasing funds
—If there is a will, it may name an executor — but they may need court recognition
—If there is no will, a court may appoint someone to manage the estate
This is general information, not legal advice. Requirements vary by state and institution.