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Most of us have little experience with the management of settling a loved one’s affairs.  There is a steep learning curve ahead and grief may prevent you from making sound decisions.  There are many resources you can consult and experts who can guide you through the burial and estate settlement process.   Most importantly, accept help and comfort from trusted friends, family or pastor only – there will always be unscrupulous actors who seek to profit from your loss.

We offer this list of 5 critical things to do when a loved one dies is provided by Post Death Security to help people protect their property and assets after a death.

First Steps Checklist:

1. Report the death
   Contact the proper authorities to start the death certification process – the doctor, hospice nurse or funeral director will jointly complete the necessary paperwork.  You will need multiple copies of the death certificate to complete necessary tasks from burial arrangements to bank account access.
2. Secure property and belongings
   If the death occurs outside the home, clear out personal belongings from the nursing, hospice or assisted living facility. Remove and secure valuables from the home. Arrange to have someone at the house during memorial services or an extended absence to prevent break ins.
3. Control access to assets
   After someone dies, there will be a lot going on.  People will visit, flowers will be delivered, and casseroles dropped off.  You may also have calls from people you don’t know – a cleaning service, the landlord, a realtor and others who may not be trustworthy.  Be sure to verify the identity and reputation of service providers before allowing them into the home.
4.  Start collecting vital documents
   To honor the wishes of the deceased and protect their property, you will need to gather essential documents, account, and contact information for family members and friends.  Gaining access to the deceased person’s phone and personal computer will probably be needed.
5. Safeguard digital assets and vulnerabilities
   In our digital age, most people have social media accounts and many may have intellectual property, PayPal and eBay accounts of significant value.  Start by contacting the Social Security Administration and credit reporting agencies to report the death. Compose a list of websites and service providers to contact and work your way through them.  If no preparation has been done prior to death, navigating this may take expert help.  Start here and know that helping you through this process this is one of our services.