Prepare for Week 1 to 1 Year
After the Funeral: A One-Year Checklist
A practical guide for families following the loss of a loved one
Name of deceased: ___________________________________
Date of death: ______________________________________
Family contact: _____________________________________
Immediately After the Funeral (24–72 Hours)
Sources: After the Funeral — A One-Year Checklist
Government and Survivor Benefits
1. USA.gov — Dealing with the Death of a Loved One
www.usa.gov/death-loved-one
2. Social Security Administration — What to Do When Someone Dies
www.ssa.gov/personal-record/when-someone-dies
3. USA.gov — Reporting a Death
www.usa.gov/report-a-death
Financial and Estate Responsibilities
4. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — Financial Security Resources
www.ConsumerFinance.gov — Financial Security
5. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — When a Loved One Dies and Debt Collectors Come Calling
CFPB — Debt After a Death
6. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — Managing Someone Else's Money
CFPB — Managing Someone Else's Money
Grief and Bereavement Support
7. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) — Coping with Bereavement and Grief
www.samhsa.gov/communities/coping-bereavement-grief
A practical guide for families following the loss of a loved one
Name of deceased: ___________________________________
Date of death: ______________________________________
Family contact: _____________________________________
Immediately After the Funeral (24–72 Hours)
- Make sure family members have transportation home.
- Ensure everyone has food, rest, and support.
- Arrange care for children, elderly relatives, and pets.
- Confirm any remaining burial or cremation arrangements.
- Confirm death certificate arrangements.
- Collect personal belongings, cards, and keepsakes.
- Secure the deceased's home, vehicles, and valuables.
- Identify someone who can help with immediate needs.
- Allow time for rest and emotional adjustment.
- Locate the will, trust, and estate documents.
- Identify the executor or personal representative.
- Gather financial, insurance, and identification records.
- Contact the deceased's employer, if applicable.
- Identify potential survivor benefits and pensions.
- Make a list of banks, creditors, and insurance companies.
- Review urgent household bills and payments.
- Keep funeral invoices and receipts.
- Check in with family members about their needs.
- Notify Social Security, if not already done.
- Contact life insurance companies.
- Contact banks and financial institutions.
- Notify relevant pension and retirement account providers.
- Contact veterans' agencies, if applicable.
- Review health insurance coverage for surviving family members.
- Identify recurring payments and subscriptions.
- Keep a record of calls, contacts, and claim numbers.
- Accept help with errands and daily responsibilities.
- Consult an estate attorney, if needed.
- Determine whether probate is required.
- Identify any court filings or deadlines.
- Review property deeds, vehicle titles, and ownership documents.
- Identify outstanding debts and appropriate procedures.
- Review guardianship or dependent-care arrangements, if applicable.
- Secure important legal and financial documents.
- Avoid rushing major financial decisions.
- Review household expenses and financial needs.
- Address immediate home maintenance or security concerns.
- Review digital accounts, email, and subscriptions.
- Make arrangements for important personal belongings.
- Discuss changes in household responsibilities.
- Check whether children and family members need additional support.
- Identify trusted people to contact when support is needed.
- Consider grief counseling, pastoral care, or a support group.
- Follow up on insurance and survivor benefit claims.
- Continue necessary estate administration.
- Review household income and expenses.
- Address unresolved financial accounts.
- Review property, vehicles, and insurance needs.
- Establish manageable daily routines.
- Maintain contact with friends and family.
- Make time for rest and personal care.
- Review outstanding legal and financial matters.
- Check the status of estate administration.
- Review household and caregiving responsibilities.
- Identify any ongoing practical needs.
- Consider whether additional grief support would help.
- Talk about difficult emotions when ready.
- Make time for meaningful memories.
- Check in with children and other family members.
- Review work, household, and family routines.
- Address outstanding property or financial matters.
- Organize important documents and records.
- Consider sorting belongings when emotionally ready.
- Maintain social connections and meaningful activities.
- Review personal health and wellness needs.
- Identify upcoming difficult dates.
- Continue seeking support when needed.
- Check in with family members about how they are doing.
- Share memories and stories of the deceased.
- Preserve photographs, letters, and keepsakes.
- Review family traditions and meaningful rituals.
- Discuss changes in relationships or responsibilities.
- Make time for activities that bring comfort.
- Review any remaining estate responsibilities.
- Identify additional support needs.
- Review outstanding estate, legal, and financial matters.
- Review household finances and long-term needs.
- Check insurance and beneficiary arrangements, as appropriate.
- Assess whether daily routines are manageable.
- Review emotional and social support.
- Consider counseling or a grief support group.
- Plan for upcoming holidays and significant dates.
- Reflect on what has helped during the first six months.
- Review unresolved practical responsibilities.
- Maintain regular contact with supportive people.
- Check in with children and family members.
- Continue meaningful remembrance.
- Review household and personal needs.
- Make time for rest and enjoyable activities.
- Seek additional help if daily life feels unmanageable.
- Identify upcoming birthdays and family anniversaries.
- Discuss plans for important holidays.
- Consider which traditions to continue or change.
- Plan how to remember the deceased.
- Talk about any concerns or expectations.
- Arrange support for potentially difficult days.
- Allow family members to make different choices.
- Review emotional and practical support needs.
- Check on family members who may be isolated.
- Follow up on unresolved financial or legal matters.
- Continue meaningful activities and relationships.
- Consider whether professional support would be helpful.
- Make plans for upcoming significant dates.
- Allow time for memories and reflection.
- Review household and financial arrangements.
- Address remaining estate or property responsibilities.
- Identify upcoming birthdays and anniversaries.
- Discuss family plans for the first anniversary.
- Preserve important photographs and memories.
- Review personal goals and ongoing support needs.
- Make time for activities that bring meaning and connection.
- Decide whether and how to observe the anniversary.
- Discuss plans with family members, if appropriate.
- Consider visiting a grave or meaningful location.
- Plan a gathering, prayer, or remembrance activity, if desired.
- Make arrangements for support on the anniversary.
- Review unresolved practical matters.
- Reflect on the past year and what has helped.
- Give yourself permission to observe the day in your own way.
- Decide how you would like to remember your loved one.
- Consider a visit to the cemetery or memorial site.
- Share memories, photographs, or stories.
- Attend a religious service or participate in a meaningful ritual, if desired.
- Review any remaining estate or financial responsibilities.
- Reflect on changes and adjustments during the first year.
- Identify continuing emotional or practical support needs.
- Consider hopes and goals for the coming year.
- Allow yourself to experience whatever emotions arise.
- Remember that grief has no fixed timetable.
- Allow family members to grieve differently.
- Accept help when it is offered.
- Stay connected with supportive people.
- Seek professional help when needed.
- Make room for memories, faith, and meaningful activities.
- Remember that experiencing joy does not mean forgetting your loved one.
Sources: After the Funeral — A One-Year Checklist
Government and Survivor Benefits
1. USA.gov — Dealing with the Death of a Loved One
www.usa.gov/death-loved-one
2. Social Security Administration — What to Do When Someone Dies
www.ssa.gov/personal-record/when-someone-dies
3. USA.gov — Reporting a Death
www.usa.gov/report-a-death
Financial and Estate Responsibilities
4. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — Financial Security Resources
www.ConsumerFinance.gov — Financial Security
5. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — When a Loved One Dies and Debt Collectors Come Calling
CFPB — Debt After a Death
6. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — Managing Someone Else's Money
CFPB — Managing Someone Else's Money
Grief and Bereavement Support
7. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) — Coping with Bereavement and Grief
www.samhsa.gov/communities/coping-bereavement-grief