What To Do When a Loved One Dies: The Essential Survivor Checklist

The Survivor's Complete Checklist

Losing someone you love is never easy. In the middle of grief and shock, you’re suddenly expected to make decisions, legal, financial, and deeply emotional. It’s no wonder so many people immediately turn to Google with urgent questions like: 

• What do I do when a loved one dies? 

• What do I do first when someone dies at home? 

• Who do I call to get a legal pronouncement of death? 

• How do I get a death certificate in Oklahoma? 

• When does the probate process begin, and who is responsible? 

If you’re asking these same questions, you’re already in the right place. 

The First Things You Must Do After a Loved One Passes 

Before dealing with funeral planning or probate paperwork, there are three immediate actions every family must take: 

• Get a legal pronouncement of death. 
  • If your loved one was under hospice care, call the hospice nurse, they can officially declare the death and arrange transportation. 
  • If not under hospice, call 911 immediately and have any DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) paperwork ready. 
• Secure the home and personal property.
  • Lock all doors, remove valuables if needed, and make arrangements for pets. 
• Notify close family members and the employer (if applicable). 
  This provides support and ensures benefits, payroll, or life insurance aren’t overlooked. 

These urgent first steps are just the beginning. Next, you’ll need to collect key personal information (full legal name, Social Security number, place of birth, Veterans status), choose a funeral home, and begin planning the funeral or cremation, all while preparing for the probate process in states like Oklahoma or Colorado if you’re serving as the estate executor. 

When You Don’t Know What Comes Next — This Checklist Does 

To protect your loved one’s legacy, you’ll need a clear roadmap. Our free “Survivor’s Checklist” covers: 

• Immediate steps:  who to call, what to secure, and what documents to gather 

• Funeral planning decisions: burial vs cremation, obituary prep, Veterans benefits 

• Legal & probate guidance: death certificates, estate executor duties, account closures, probate process in Oklahoma and Colorado 

Submit the form below to download the full guide!