The First 72 Hours: 10 Things You Must Do Immediately After a Death
The 72 hours following a death involve both emotional and logistical demands. Some tasks are genuinely time-sensitive — getting a legal pronouncement of death, notifying the Social Security Administration, preserving perishable property — while others feel urgent but can wait. This guide separates what must happen in the first three days from what can wait until the first week or month, so you can focus your limited energy where it matters most.
Before Anything Else: The Legal Pronouncement of Death
A death can only be legally recorded after a qualified medical professional — a physician, hospice nurse, or in some cases a paramedic — officially pronounces death and signs the death certificate. Without this pronouncement, no body can be moved, no death certificate can be issued, and no estate administration can begin.
| ContentWho to CallContentWhat Happens Next** | | --- | --- | --- | | Hospital or care facility | Staff will handle the pronouncement automatically | Medical staff prepare the body; inform you of next steps; coordinate with funeral home of your choice | | Home — under hospice care | Call the hospice agency immediately | Hospice nurse comes to pronounce death; signs the death certificate; calls the funeral home if directed | | Home — NOT under hospice | Call 911 — do NOT call a funeral home first | Police and/or EMS respond; coroner or medical examiner may be called; death certificate signed before body released | | Home — unexpected or unattended | Call 911 immediately | Police respond; coroner investigation required; body released after investigation — may take 24-48 hours | | Away from home (travel, accident) | Local authorities handle pronouncement; notify family | Death certificate issued in state/country where death occurred; family coordinates repatriation if needed |
Never move a body before a legal pronouncement of death is made, even if you believe the person has passed. This is both a legal requirement and a potential crime scene protection issue in unexpected deaths. Call 911 first, then the hospice or healthcare provider.
The 10 Most Time-Sensitive Tasks
Task 1 — Notify Immediate Family (Hours 1–3)
Before contacting institutions or officials, notify the people who need to know: spouse or partner, adult children, parents, and close siblings. Use phone calls rather than texts for primary notifications — a voicemail is acceptable if someone does not answer, but not a text message alone. Have one person in the family serve as the central communicator to prevent conflicting messages.
Task 2 — Choose a Funeral Home (Hours 2–12)
The body cannot remain indefinitely at the place of death. Most hospitals and care facilities expect the body to be moved within a few hours. You do not need to make all funeral decisions immediately — but you do need to identify a funeral home to take custody of the body.
You Do NOT Have to Use the Funeral Home the Hospital Recommends
Hospitals and nursing homes sometimes have relationships with specific funeral homes. You are under no obligation to use these. You can contact any licensed funeral home in the area. Under the FTC's Funeral Rule (16 C.F.R. Part 453), funeral homes must provide itemized price lists and cannot require you to purchase a package. You have the right to compare prices and choose independently.
Task 3 — Locate the Will and/or Trust Documents (Hours 6–24)
The will governs who is in charge of the estate (the executor) and how assets are to be distributed. The sooner the will is located, the sooner the executor can be identified and begin acting. Check: (a) a home safe or filing cabinet, (b) a safe deposit box at the bank, (c) the office of the attorney who drafted it, (d) the probate court (some people file wills before death for safekeeping).
If You Are in a State With a Will-Filing Deadline
Texas law requires anyone in possession of a will to file it with the county clerk within 4 years of the testator's death or forfeit their inheritance rights (Tex. Est. Code §256.003). Florida requires the will be filed 'promptly' but has no hard deadline — however, holding a will without filing it can be a misdemeanor (F.S. §732.901). Locate and file the will promptly regardless of state.
Task 4 — Order Death Certificates (Hours 12–48)
The funeral home will order death certificates on your behalf when you arrange services — this is the easiest method. Order more than you think you need. See IP-2 for the complete death certificate guide, including state-by-state fees and how many copies to order.
Task 5 — Notify Social Security Administration (Hours 24–72)
The SSA must be notified promptly because benefits stop in the month of death and any payment received for that month must be returned. The funeral home typically reports the death to SSA electronically — verify that they have done so. If not, call SSA directly at 1-800-772-1213 (not online — SSA does not accept online death reports). See IP-3 for the full government notification guide.
Task 6 — Secure the Deceased's Home and Property (Hours 12–48)
If the deceased lived alone, their home and its contents need to be secured. This means: changing the locks if keys are widely distributed, collecting any spare keys held by neighbors or service providers, stopping mail delivery to prevent theft signals (see IP-6), notifying a neighbor or building manager, and checking that the property is insured (homeowner's or renter's insurance may require notification of vacancy).
Do NOT allow anyone — family members or otherwise — to remove items from the deceased's home before an inventory is taken and the executor has legal authority. Even well-intentioned removal of property can constitute theft of estate assets and create serious legal liability. The executor has legal authority over all estate property once Letters Testamentary are issued.
Task 7 — Notify the Deceased's Employer (Hours 24–72)
If the deceased was employed, the employer must be notified promptly to stop payroll and identify any benefits owed: final paycheck, accrued vacation pay, life insurance through the employer, pension/401(k) beneficiary notification, and continuation of health insurance under COBRA for dependents. See IP-7 for the complete employer notification guide.
Task 8 — Preserve Perishable Property (Hours 12–72)
The estate includes not only financial assets but physical property that can deteriorate or lose value quickly. Time-sensitive property issues include: pets that need care, plants that need watering, fresh food in the refrigerator (especially if home will be empty), vehicles left in public locations, and ongoing utilities that need to remain on (heat in winter, electricity for refrigeration).
Task 9 — Identify the Executor and Retain an Estate Attorney (Days 2–7)
The person named as executor in the will should be identified and contacted. If there is no will, a family member will need to petition the court to be appointed administrator. The executor should retain an estate attorney promptly — see the PG and FR series for guidance on attorney selection, fee auditing, and communication.
Task 10 — Notify Key Financial Institutions (Days 3–7)
Do NOT rush to close accounts or transfer assets — that requires legal authority (Letters Testamentary) that you do not yet have. But you should notify major financial institutions of the death to prevent fraud and to learn what documentation they will require. Call the bank's estate services department (not a general branch), confirm the death, and ask what their process is. See IP-4 for the complete bank account guide.
What Can Wait: Tasks for Week 2 and Beyond
| ContentWhy It Can WaitContentRecommended Timeline** | | --- | --- | --- | | Open probate (file petition with court) | Court scheduling takes weeks regardless of when you file; there is no emergency to file on Day 1 | Within 30 days of death in most states; Florida requires prompt filing but no hard deadline for most estates | | Close bank accounts | You cannot close accounts without Letters Testamentary; premature closing is illegal | After Letters issued — typically 4–8 weeks after death | | Cancel credit cards | Accounts stop accruing activity naturally; premature cancellation before inventory can create complications | After inventory completed; within 60–90 days | | Distribute personal property | Requires executor authority and resolution of all creditor claims | After probate closes or with executor approval and creditor period complete | | File estate tax return (Form 706 if required) | Due 9 months from death; 6-month extension available | File early if estate is large; 6-month extension available | | Sell real property | Requires executor authority, court process in some states, and creditor period to pass | 60–180 days after death depending on state |