Practical Tasks Following a Death

After the death of a loved one, many practical tasks will need your attention. In this challenging and exhausting time, it can be useful to enlist the help of family members or friends.

How do I get the death certificate?

Families will need certified copies of the death certificate when taking care of business related to bank accounts, insurance policies, Social Security, probate court, pensions and other such matters.

The best way to obtain a death certificate is through the funeral home. The staff there can also advise you on how many you may need, since copies generally aren't accepted. It typically takes one to two weeks for funeral homes to prepare and process a death certificate.

It's helpful to bring the following information when you visit the funeral home:

• Name of the deceased
• Date and place of birth
• Social security number
• Father's full name and place of birth
• Mother's full name and place of birth

You can also obtain a death certificate from the San Francisco Department of Public Health's Office of Vital Records.

What other documents should I gather?

While settling affairs for your loved one, you may need to have these documents on hand:

• Social Security card
• Citizenship documents
• Will or living trust
• Insurance policies
• Deeds to properties
• Titles to cars, boats or recreational vehicles (RVs)
• Bank books
• Stock, bond or mutual fund statements
• IRA, 401(k) or pension plan information
• Income tax returns
• Disability claims

If your spouse was the one who passed away, you may also need copies of your marriage certificate.

Who should I notify after the death?

In addition to finding a funeral home to plan a burial or cremation, you may have to take care of the following tasks.

Banks or credit unions

Joint accounts are automatically closed after the joint account holder notifies the bank of the death. Request that your bank release the funds to you. You should immediately establish a new account to handle funds received after the death.

If a safety deposit box was rented in the name of the deceased only, you'll need a court order to open it.

Life insurance companies

If the funds are not already committed to a financial plan, consider requesting payment for only the amount you'll need in the next two months; this lets you leave decisions about investments for a less stressful time. Call the companies for forms.

Social Security, veteran benefits, pension or association programs

If you're entitled to death benefits through any of these plans, you should apply for them promptly.

Social Security offers death benefits to a surviving spouse or, if there is no surviving spouse, eligible children. Certain other family members may also be eligible.

In addition, death benefits may be available from the Department of Veterans Affairs, insurance plans, employee pension plans, and union or fraternal organizations.

Probate court

In most states, a will must be filed within 10 days. If there is no will, your loved one's property will be distributed according to state law.

Probate procedures can be complex, depending on the size of the estate and claims against it. The advice of a family lawyer or wise friend who has been through the process is invaluable. If possible, appointing the surviving spouse as administrator of the estate often saves money.

Be aware that the court generally does not permit probate to be concluded in less than a year, so some resources may be tied up for at least that long.

If you need legal assistance, contact the Bar Association of San Francisco or American Bar Association.

Medical insurance companies

If you were covered under the deceased person's health insurance, contact the provider promptly. You may be able to continue coverage through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), switch to an individual plan, or enroll in new coverage due to a qualifying life event.

Credit card companies

Cancel any credit cards that are in the name of the deceased only.

Car titles and auto insurance

Transfer the titles of any cars that were in the name of the deceased. Information is available on the DMV website. You'll also need to notify the auto insurance company.

Others to notify

You may also wish to notify:

• Unions
• Fraternal organizations
• Alumni associations
• Professional societies
• Newspapers (for an obituary, if desired)

What else do I need to take care of?

Updating your will

If you included the deceased in your will, you'll need to update it.

Filing income taxes

Income taxes need to be filed for the deceased for the year they died. Taxes are due on the normal filing date, but you can request an extension. If the deceased was your spouse, you can still file jointly. If you have dependent children, you can file a joint return for two more years.

Check with the IRS or a tax consultant to see whether you will need to file a federal estate tax return. If it's needed, you should do it within nine months of the death.