After a loss
The first month: what can wait
A shorter list than it feels like.
In the first month after a death, it can feel like everything is urgent. A few things are. Most things can wait weeks or months without causing problems.
What usually can't wait
- Funeral or cremation arrangements
- Securing the home, car and any pets
- Ordering death certificates
- Finding the will
- Keeping up mortgage, rent, insurance and utility payments
- Telling Social Security, if the funeral home hasn't
What can usually wait a few weeks
- Filing for probate
- Closing bank accounts
- Claiming life insurance, though it's often worth starting early
- Cancelling subscriptions
- Notifying the credit bureaus
What can usually wait months
- Sorting and giving away belongings
- Selling the house or car
- Closing email and social media accounts
- Filing the final tax return, usually due in April of the following year
- Deciding what to do with the ashes
Good to know
The phone line is worth keeping active for a while. It's often what unlocks the person's other accounts. Banks and email often text a code to that number before they let anyone in, so many families keep it running for 3 to 6 months.