Immediate needs checklist: the first 72 hours

The first 72 hours after a death involve more tasks than most people expect — and far fewer than most people fear. This checklist separates what must happen now from what can safely wait.

Print this page and work through it at your own pace. Nothing on this list requires perfection.

Within the first hour

Immediate medical and legal steps

• [ ] If at home without hospice, call 911 or your physician to pronounce death
• [ ] If at home on hospice, call your hospice nurse (do not call 911 unless something unexpected occurred)
• [ ] If in a hospital or care facility, a doctor will pronounce death — ask a staff member to guide you through next steps
• [ ] If death was unexpected or unattended, call 911 and wait for authorities — do not move the body

Notify close family

• [ ] Contact the person closest to the deceased (spouse, adult children, siblings)
• [ ] Designate one trusted person to help field calls — you should not manage all communication alone

Within 24 hours

Contact a funeral home

• [ ] Call at least one funeral home — ask for their General Price List and basic service fee
• [ ] Ask them to transport and hold the body while you decide on arrangements (you are not committed by calling)
• [ ] If a pre-plan exists, locate the document now — it may direct everything that follows

Secure the home (if your loved one lived alone)

• [ ] Arrange for someone to lock and secure the property
• [ ] Care for any pets
• [ ] Collect mail or arrange a hold at the post office
• [ ] Note the location of important documents: will, insurance policies, financial accounts, Social Security card

Begin death certificate preparation

• [ ] Gather the information the funeral home will need:
  • [ ] Full legal name and any previous names
  • [ ] Date and place of birth
  • [ ] Social Security number
  • [ ] Parents' names and birthplaces
  • [ ] Highest level of education
  • [ ] Occupation and industry

Within 48 hours

Notify employers and institutions

• [ ] Notify the deceased's employer (if applicable)
• [ ] Contact the Social Security Administration (1-800-772-1213) — a payment received after death must be returned
• [ ] If the deceased was a veteran, contact the Department of Veterans Affairs for benefit information

Plan the service (or decide not to have one)

• [ ] Decide on the general type of service: funeral, memorial, graveside, celebration of life, or private gathering
• [ ] Choose whether to bury or cremate (if this was not pre-arranged)
• [ ] Contact a cemetery or memorial park if applicable
• [ ] Think about who will speak, music preferences, and any readings

Draft an obituary

• [ ] Collect a recent photo
• [ ] Note key life details: schools attended, military service, career, organisations, survivors
• [ ] Draft a short notice (newspapers typically publish within 2–3 days of submission)

Within 72 hours

Order death certificates

• [ ] Order 10 to 15 certified copies of the death certificate — more than you think you need
• [ ] Request copies at the time of funeral arrangements for the lowest per-copy cost

Notify financial institutions

• [ ] Locate all bank accounts and notify each institution
• [ ] Contact life insurance companies to begin the claims process
• [ ] Locate investment and retirement accounts
• [ ] Check for any automatic bill payments that need to be paused or redirected

What can safely wait

The following do not need to happen in the first 72 hours:

• Sorting or distributing personal belongings
• Closing social media accounts
• Redirecting or canceling subscriptions
• Contacting attorneys about probate (unless there are urgent business or property matters)
• Reading or executing the will

Frequently asked questions

What if I cannot complete everything on this list?

That is completely normal. This list covers the ideal sequence — not a requirement. Focus on the items under "first hour" and "first 24 hours." Everything else has flexibility.

What if I don't know who to call about a pre-plan?

Check the deceased's files, email, and any organised paperwork for documents from a funeral home or insurance company. Many pre-need plans are backed by insurance policies — check for any life insurance documents as well.

How do I know how many death certificates to order?

Count each bank, each insurance policy, each investment account, each real estate property, and each government agency separately. Twelve is a safe minimum for most estates. See our full guide on death certificates for a complete breakdown.

Related resources

• What to do when someone dies: the first 48 hours
• How to get a death certificate: a step-by-step guide
• How to choose a funeral home: 10 questions to ask

Disclaimer — For informational purposes only

This article is compiled from publicly available resources and is provided solely for general informational purposes. It does not constitute and should not be relied upon as legal, financial, tax, insurance, medical, psychological, or other professional advice. Passings is a planning and organizational platform, not a licensed advisory service, and no attorney-client, financial advisor-client, or other professional relationship is created by reading this content.

Laws, regulations, financial products, and professional standards vary by state and change over time. Passings makes no representations or warranties — express or implied — regarding the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or suitability of any information contained herein. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Passings disclaims all liability for any loss, damage, or harm arising from your use of or reliance on this content. Always consult a qualified, licensed professional — including an attorney, financial advisor, CPA, or licensed counselor — before making decisions specific to your situation.

You might also like