What To Do When A Loved One Passes Away
A Survivor's Checklist
Find out about existing funeral burial or cremation arrangements.
Immediately after the death
- Contact the funeral home and make funeral burial, or cremation arrangements, write obituary
- Contact immediate family members and close friends, minister, rabi, or other spiritual leader
- Secure the house, car and valuables
- Arrange for care of dependents and pets
- Collect important papers
- PURA Organizing My Affairs document
- Personal address book(s)
- Deed to burial property and copy of funeral prearrangement documents
- Veteran’s discharge papers and/or VA claim number
- Marriage and divorce records
- Revocable Trust or Will, letters of instruction
- Birth certificates (of deceased and dependents)
- Social Security card, passport
- Obtain written legal death certificates (will need 12-15), funeral director usually assists with this detail
- Bank account numbers and other financial papers, such as loans and contracts
- Insurance policies – life, car, property
- Automobile title and registration papers
- Deeds and titles to property
- Most recent tax forms, W-2 forms
- Compile list of names of extended family, friends, organizations to notify of death and funeral arrangements
- Arrange to have the mail of the deceased individual forwarded.
During the first month
- Contact Purdue Human Resources (765-494-2222 or 877-725-0222) about health insurance
- Contact the Purdue For Life Foundation to report death and survivor’s address, phone and email: 765-494-2727, Toll Free: 800-319-2199, Email: gifts@purdueforlife.org (who manage the list)
- Consult with an attorney about probate and other questions, if needed
- Notify Social Security Administration (800-772-1213) and other government offices providing benefits
- Apply for benefits – life insurance, retirement plan, veteran’s, Social Security
- File any outstanding claims for Medicare or health insurance, if necessary
- Notify all three credit reporting agencies and obtain a copy of deceased’s credit report
- Obtain copies of deceased’s outstanding bills
- Prior to deleting any digital services, make copies of photos and important documents
- Cancel deceased prescriptions, cell phone, streaming services, cable, internet, and memberships in organizations, magazine and other subscriptions
During the first three months
- Meet with an accountant or financial advisor to review finances
- Change titles and transfer ownership, review beneficiaries
- Home, property, vehicles
- Bank accounts
- Credit Cards
- Stocks, bonds, other investments
- Insurance policies (TIAA, Fidelity, PERF)
- Your will, revocable trust
- Safe deposit boxes
- Complete notifications of death
- File and pay taxes
Last updated April 2025
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