What Do I Do Now?

If you have lost a family member, facing the tasks you must complete can be stressful.  This list will help you separate what needs to be done right away from what can wait for a while.

Initial Steps:

Contact the Funeral Home. Arrange a date and time to come in and discuss the type of services you want to have for your loved one. 

Locate Important Documents.  The following is a list of documents that if gathered prior to the funeral arrangement conference can help expedite the overall funeral plans.  (Not every item on this list will be applicable in every circumstance.)

• Insurance Policy/Insurance Statement
• Deceased Birth Certificate
• Marriage Certificate/Domestic Partner Registration
• Deceased Social Security Card/Social Security Number
• Deceased Passport
• Deceased Government Issued Identification Card
• Will
• Trust Documents
• Appointment of Agent To Control Disposition Of Remains (Fully Executed)
• Waiver Of Right Of Disposition
• Deed To Cemetery Plot
• Pre-Arrangement Documentation
• DD-214/Military Discharge Papers

Contact family and friends.  It may help to have a close relative make calls for you.

Within The First Three Months:

Meet with an attorney.  An attorney can help with administering the estate, including many of the following actions.  When you set up an appointment, ask who should attend and what documents you should bring.

File the will.  Have the executor or personal representative assist you, or ask the attorney to file the will.

Contact Social Security.  You may want to review the benefits available for a surviving spouse and minor children. Review the deceased person’s employer benefits.  Contact the employer’s benefits office to see if any benefits are available to the family.  Even if the deceased was retired, there may be changes to pension payouts, retiree benefits, or life insurance.

Cancel services that are no longer needed.  Examples include cell phone plans, health club member ships, and subscriptions.  Cancel credit cards.  Take this step for any cards that the deceased held in his or her name only.

In the following months:

Change title to assets.  Be sure to talk to the estate attorney about what is involved.  Some assets such as real estate may require an attorney to prepare a new deed and other transfer documents.  Retirement accounts, including IRAs, should be transferred to the beneficiaries.  Other assets that may need to be transferred include vehicles, investment accounts, jointly held property, and certain insurance policies.

Deal with distributions to beneficiaries.  Consult an attorney about any specifications in the estate plan regarding distributions from insurance policies and retirement accounts.

Settle the estate. Your attorney should provide direction to the executor, who will be responsible for carrying out the directions in the will or trust.

Hire an accountant.  You may wish to have an accountant work with your attorney to prepare and file estate tax returns.

After the estate is settled:

• Update your own estate plan
• Review beneficiary designations for your retirement accounts and life insurance policies.
• Review your own financial situation, such as your short and long term cash needs
• Review your situation regarding life insurance, medical insurance, and other types.
• Reassess your investment portfolio to account for additional assets or other changes.

For more information on Reporting A Death Call:

Elcock Funeral Home, Inc.

(718) 845-7408