What To Do After A Loss: First Few Days

Find the will (if there is one).
Funeral instructions may be contained in the will, and, therefore, it should be the first
document you locate. Usually the will is kept in a safe deposit box or in a home safe.
However, a copy may be obtained at the office of the attorney who drew up the will or
on file at the Surrogate Court.

Make funeral or memorial service arrangements.
Funeral directors often help notify newspapers and associations for the purposes of
publishing a death notice.

Order 15 or more certified death certificates.
You may obtain death certificates from either the funeral director or the County Clerk’s office. This can usually be done for a nominal fee. You will need certified copies of death certificates to claim Social Security and insurance benefits, change ownership of joint property, to enter safe deposit boxes and to file tax returns. Larger estates may require as many as 50 certificates. Photocopies are often not acceptable.

Check with Social Security and the Veterans Administration (VA).
You may qualify for burial allowances. The VA also provides a marker for the grave, an
American flag for the casket and, in some cases, transportation to a Veterans Cemetery. Contact them again within the next two weeks to discuss death benefits.

Clip obituary notices.
Some insurance companies require a dated newspaper announcement in order to process claims.

Call your financial professional.
You don’t need to pay an advisor to file for insurance or annuity proceeds. Your Financial Professional can help you expedite your claims processing, discuss payment options and help you and your other professional advisors review your new financial situation.

Check the status of your medical insurance coverage.
Spouse and children may be entitled to continue their medical coverage under the deceased’s
employee benefit plan as long as they continue to pay the premiums. If the present coverage
cannot be continued or can only be converted to an individual policy at a higher rate, your
financial professional may be able to help you find the most cost-effective coverage.

Contact each financial institution where the deceased banked.
A bank may seal the deceased’s safe deposit box and may freeze any checking or savings
accounts after the death announcement is published. You may then be required to obtain
a release before funds can be withdrawn from those accounts. A bank officer can explain
the procedure for obtaining a release.

Apply for death benefits.
Write formal letters notifying companies and organizations that the insured is deceased. These include: the Social Security Administration, the Veterans Administration, the deceased’s employer or former employer, union, civil service, professional and trade associations, fraternity/sorority, alumni and automobile club. Employment and membership organization benefits do not come automatically. You must apply for them.  (You may want to contact Social Security and the Veterans Administration right away because a delay in applying can result in the loss of some benefits.)

Consult an attorney.
It is wise to seek legal counsel on such matters as setting up trusts, recording property deeds,
disposing of stocks, bonds, bank accounts or business property, as well as conserving and
disbursing the deceased’s estate. During the initial consultation, discuss fees and the need
for engaging an attorney’s service.

Have someone watch your home during services.
Burglars have been known to read obituaries to find out when no one will be home.