Dealing with a death in the family

This is hard. Take the steps in order — death certificates are the keystone document that unlocks everything else.

1. Do this first

   1. Order certified death certificate copies

   Funeral home handles, 1–4 weeks

   Order at least 10. Funeral homes can usually file this for you with the county vital records office.

   Open official page
2. Within days

   2. Notify Social Security

   Phone call

3. Within weeks

   3. File the will / open probate

   Varies — often requires an attorney

4. Ongoing

   4. Close accounts and notify creditors

   Several hours over weeks