135 Decisions, Actions, and Questions that Happen After You Die
Nobody knows what happens to you when you die, but we know exactly what happens to those who are still living.
When you pass away, your family will be asked a lot of questions. They’ll need to provide a lot of information. And they’ll need to take a lot of action.
A few details will feel large. (“Did you call the probate attorney yet?”) Most will feel small. (“Please write down her middle name.”) But when they compound, they exhaust most families. Here’s a list of some of the details, decisions, and responsibilities your loved ones will face when you’re gone:
BASIC INFORMATION FOR DOCUMENTS:
Your full legal name
Your complete address
Religious name (if any)
Date of birth
Place of birth
Marital status
Name of spouse (if married)
Spouse's maiden name (if applicable)
Education Level
Citizenship (US/Canadian/Mexican)
Father's name
Father's birthplace
Mother's name and maiden name
Mother's birthplace
Number and full names and addresses of all children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren
Social Security number
Veteran's Serial/Service number (if applicable)
Date and place of service, date of discharge
How long did you live at your current residence?
How long did you live at a former residence?
Occupation
Job title
Employment history
Location of work
DOCUMENTS TO GATHER & COLLECT
Your will
Legal papers, certificates and permits (once created)
Birth certificate (or legal proof of age)
Citizenship papers
Social security card or number
Marriage license
Veteran’s discharge certificate
Insurance policies (life, health, accident, property, auto) and other government forms
Disability claims
Bank books and listing of all accounts
Other financial accounts
Property deeds
Cemetery deed or proof of ownership
Auto titles
Income tax returns
PLAN TO NOTIFY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
All relatives
All friends
Religious affiliation
Funeral director
Pallbearers
Cemetery
Doctor
Employer of deceased
Employers of relatives not going to work
Newspapers regarding notices
Social Security Administration
Veterans Administration
Insurance agents
Fraternal, civic organizations and unions
Attorney, accountant, financial planner and executor of estate
Credit card companies
FUNERAL DETAILS & DECISIONS
Cemetery arrangements
Secure interment space and get exact location of burial/disposition
Arrange for opening and closing of the grave, mausoleum, or niche space
Secure endowment care
Arrange graveside committal service
Secure use of cemetery chapel for committal prayers
Decide on embalming and other preparation of deceased
Funeral home preference
Location of funeral service
Service type (religious, fraternal, military, etc.)
Time and place for visitation and funeral service
Arrange for special religious services
Provide information for eulogy
Select casket
Select outer burial container and/or burial vault
Select urn or niche space (if cremation)
Provide vital statistics to newspaper
Clothing for deceased
Jewelry and glasses for deceased
Select cosmetology and hairdressing for deceased
Selection of scripture and readings (poems, etc.)
Select officiatent and speakers
Select grave marker (either temporary or permanent)
Select alternative memorial marker or monument setting and inscription
Select charitable contributions for memorials in memory of deceased
Register book
Select pallbearers
Floral arrangements and transportation before and after services
Select music, organist, pianist, and/or vocalist
Arrange for funeral coach
Arrange limousine for family and pallbearers
Arrange funeral car list for family and guests
Clothing for you and minor children
Decide who will look after minor children and/or pets
House cleaning
Extra chairs
Transportation for family and guests
Reviewing and signing all paperwork (i.e. burial permit)
Answering innumerable phone calls, emails, letters and wires
Necessary meetings with funeral director, lawyer, clergy, cemetery
Arrange transportation and lodging for out-of-town guests
Acknowledging those who help in a special way (contributors of flowers, food, donations, etc.)
Decide how many certified copies of death certificate to order
Food for family and out of town relatives and guests I Items for memento display and/or memorial board
Decide on memorial video production, pictures, music, etc.
Arrange for writing thank you notes
ARRANGE FOR POSSIBLE BILL PAYMENTS
Estate/Inheritance taxes
Funeral expenses
Purchase of family burial estate, mausoleum crypt, or cremation niche
Family burial estate, mausoleum crypt, or cremation niche opening costs
Family burial estate, mausoleum crypt, or cremation niche closing costs
Permanent memorialization
Monument/Marker engraving
Funeral Director
Clergy
Organist
Vocalist
Florist
Obituary
Clothing
Food
Transportation
Doctor bills
Nursing Home
Ambulance
Medications
Mortgage or rent
Taxes
Credit cards
OTHER STEPS TO TAKE
Apply for Social Security Benefits
Apply for Retirement Benefits with the deceased’s retirement fund sources
Request a release for all joint banking accounts
Removed the deceased’s name from all joint accounts
Cancel any open orders
Change ownership of stocks.
Update passwords for online banking
Notify credit reporting agencies to minimize chance of identity theft.
Removed deceased’s name from utilities.
Close any email accounts and change passwords.
Determine the financial or income impact and create a budget accordingly.
As you can see, there’s a lot more than “burial or cremation” to worry about.
Many families are overwhelmed by all they have to do while they debate what you “would have wanted.” Organizing your documents and building a funeral plan relieves that burden and provides peace of mind at a time your family will need it most.
If you’d like to take the first steps toward building a plan, schedule your free, no-obligation consultation today.
