Cynthia Leach

Accountant & Estate Planner

Nobody likes to imagine dealing with the death of a loved one. Unfortunately, the odds are good that you will face this situation at some point. Whether it's the death of a parent, a friend, a spouse, or even a child, you may be responsible for handling matters, or you may be part of the "support network." Either way, it often helps to understand the process of events that will unfold. This section offers an overview of what happens in the days, weeks, and months after someone you love dies. It discusses preparing for the funeral, assembling records, arranging for the transfer of assets through probate and by contract, and preparing the final tax returns.

When Someone You Love Dies

Many of the initial tasks will be related to the funeral. You will need to contact family members, friends, and employers to let them know what happened. You must make arrangements with a funeral home to set a time and a place for funeral services in accordance with the wishes of the deceased. It is customary to prepare a brief obituary notice and have it printed in the local newspaper. You should also get multiple copies of the death certificate. The funeral home may be able to handle these details for you. See our checklist for details on other tasks that you'll need to take care of.

In the ensuing weeks you will face many organizational issues. You will want to identify the location of key documents, from life insurance policies to asset titles. You may find our Recordkeeper checklist useful as you do this. Remember how property is transferred: certain assets, such as IRAs, are transferred by contract to beneficiaries. You should take steps now to begin these transfers. Finally, you should contact the deceased's accountant to arrange for the preparation of a final tax return, and you should speak to an estate attorney to begin the probate process. This is discussed in more detail in the following section.