What Do You Do When Someone Dies? A Complete Funeral Planning Checklist
By CRYSTAL BAI •
The short answer: When someone dies, there are immediate practical steps to take in the first hours and days — from notifying the right people, to choosing a funeral home, to planning a memorial service. This complete checklist helps families navigate the overwhelm of early bereavement.
Immediately After Death (First Hours)
1. If at home: You do not need to call 911 immediately — take time to be with your loved one. Call your hospice nurse if one is involved; they will handle the death certificate. 2. Call the right people first: Close family, then the death doula if one is involved. 3. Choose a funeral home: You have time — the body does not need to be moved immediately in most states.
First 24–48 Hours
1. Obtain the death certificate (the funeral home typically handles this). 2. Notify: employer, Social Security Administration (SSA), banks, insurance companies. 3. If the deceased had prepaid funeral arrangements, notify the funeral home. 4. Secure the home and pets. 5. Begin notifying family and friends.
Planning the Funeral or Memorial Service
1. Choose burial, cremation, or alternative (green burial, home funeral, donation to science). 2. Select a funeral home and review itemized price list. 3. Obtain multiple quotes — comparison shopping is legal and appropriate. 4. Plan the service: officiant, venue, music, readings, speakers. 5. Write the obituary.
In the Weeks Following Death
1. Probate and estate: File will with probate court if applicable. 2. Change financial accounts, close accounts, transfer assets. 3. Notify credit bureaus to prevent identity theft. 4. Cancel subscriptions, memberships, digital accounts per digital estate wishes. 5. Connect with grief support resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the first things to do after someone dies at home?
Take time to be with your loved one — you do not need to rush. Call hospice if involved; otherwise call the funeral home when ready. You are not legally required to move the body immediately in most states.
How long do you have to plan a funeral after someone dies?
Most families complete funeral planning within 3–7 days of death. There is no legal requirement to hold a service immediately, though religious traditions may specify timing (Jewish law requires burial within 24 hours when possible).
How much does a funeral cost?
Average funeral costs range from $7,000–$12,000 for a traditional burial. Direct cremation can cost $1,000–$3,000. Green burials typically cost $2,000–$5,000. Itemized comparison shopping is encouraged — funeral homes are legally required to provide price lists.
Can a death doula help with funeral planning?
Yes — death doula support can include helping families navigate funeral home selection, comparing prices, planning memorial services, writing obituaries, and ensuring the funeral reflects the deceased's wishes.
Renidy connects grieving families with compassionate death doulas and AI-powered funeral planning tools. Try our free AI funeral planner or find a death doula near you.