Losing a Loved One
Documents Overview
From closing accounts to alerting Social Security, the death of a loved one comes with an array of required paperwork. In the midst of grief, this can quickly become overwhelming. We’re here to break down what documents you may need and when you’ll need them, so you can scratch those items off your list.
Death Certificate
The most important document to start off with is the death certificate. Most funeral homes will help you obtain one, but be reminded that you will need multiple copies throughout this process. We recommend starting with 5 certified copies, and additional copies can be purchased from the county records office where the death was recorded. This can roughly take up to 10 days after your loved one has passed, but special circumstances can greatly extend the timeline. Certified death certificates will be required for:
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Proof of death prior to burial or cremation
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Receiving life insurance policy payouts
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Claiming a spouse’s pension
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Notifying Social Security or Veterans' Administration of the death
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Closing bank accounts, credit cards, utilities, phone plans, etc.
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Stock sales, real estate transfers, closing a corporation, and other business dealings
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Future marriage license acquirements
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Various items for shared children, including passports and financial aid