What to Do When Someone Dies in the US: Step by Step

The steps, in order

1. Get the death certificateThe funeral home usually files the death certificate with the state. Order plenty of certified copies: banks, insurers and agencies each want one.Agencies to notify when someone dies (USA.gov)
2. Don’t lock anyone out of their phone and accountsDo this before anything digital. Keep their phone charged and switched on. Don't cancel the phone contract, SIM or email account, and don't reset or wipe any phone, tablet or computer: many accounts send sign-in codes to the phone, or to an authenticator app on it. Don't guess passwords or close accounts: some hold photos, bills or information the executor will need.Apple Legacy Contact: getting access · Google: request data from a deceased user's account
3. Find the will and the executorThe will names the executor: the person responsible for sorting out money, property and belongings. If a lawyer holds the will, contact them first. If there's no will, the court appoints an administrator.
4. Tell Social Security and other agenciesThe funeral home usually reports the death to Social Security: check that it has, and ask about survivor benefits. Tell the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) to help prevent identity theft.When someone dies (Social Security) · Agencies to notify (USA.gov)
5. Funeral wishesCheck for any funeral wishes or a pre-paid plan before booking anything, and agree the arrangements with the executor and family.
6. Keep the home and belongings safeMake sure the home is locked and safe. Don't remove, sell or give away anything, even things you were promised: that's for the executor to do. Let the executor know if the home will be empty, as the insurer needs to be told.
7. Money, property and the estate: for the executorBanks, retirement accounts, insurance, the employer, subscriptions, property and probate are dealt with by the executor (or the court-appointed administrator). If that's you, the records listed here will help. If it isn't you, pass anything useful to the executor rather than contacting these organisations yourself.Agencies to notify when someone dies (USA.gov)

Some of this may not apply to you

These are the usual steps for whoever is dealing with things: normally close family and the executor. If you were simply left something, you may not need to do anything at all. Money, property and probate are the executor’s job.