What to do when Someone has Passed Away
May 15, 2019
baystate
What do I need to do now? That is a typical question that many ask after the loss of a loved one. The following points should be considered soon after someone passes away, and not all of the points may necessarily apply to all people, but many of them will.
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Obtain the decedent’s death certificate. The coroner or funeral director can assist you with this.
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If the death occurred at home, you may contact a local police officer or coroner.
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If the decedent was an organ donor, a donation of body parts and tissues should be considered.
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Notify family and friends. You may want
to consider having other family members make these calls to save
yourself time.
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Look for instructions which the decedent
may have left regarding preferences for funeral and burial
arrangements.
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Determine if the decedent belonged to a
burial or memorial society that may make special arrangements for the
funeral, such as military honor guards.
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Contact a funeral home concerning burial or cremation arrangements.
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Complete funeral and burial arrangements.
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Contact the Social Security Administration
and any other government agencies or benefit programs that may be
making payments to the decedent.
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Review the decedent’s financial and legal
affairs. Look for any wills, trusts, or other estate planning documents
and also the following relevant documents: