Death is brutal, especially that of a loved one. You feel as though a part of you has been ripped off, leaving you feeling incomplete.
When a loved one dies, things can get overwhelming, even more so if you’re left with the responsibility of handling their affairs. There’re so many things to do and services to call, but the pain and disorientation that comes with the experience can make one miss out on certain details.
Saying goodbye to a loved one is never easy. It has never been. With a little help, your pain will be eased and your mind will have clarity through the process. Even though nothing will completely make you forget the pain of losing a loved one, having a thorough checklist of what to do when a loved one dies helps, even if only a little. Here are several things to do and services to call after a loved one dies.
1. Call a Funeral Home
When you lose a loved one, it can be difficult to know what to do. One of the first things you should do is call a funeral home. A funeral home can help you with all of the arrangements that need to be made. They can also help you decide if you want a traditional funeral service or a cremation service. After a loved one dies, you need a trusted partner to take you through the interment process of the deceased person.
If you have a pre arranged funeral service, the funeral home will already have all of the information they need. This can make the process much easier for you. If you don’t have a prearranged funeral service, the funeral home will help you with a custom-made arrangement, and should you decide that your loved one will be cremated, they’ll be your one-stop shop for all the services you need.
They can also help you with the paperwork and the burial process, including the transportation of the body, the funeral service, and the burial itself. A funeral home can also help with planning and executing other funeral-related protocols that you may need.
2. Determine What Type of Lawyer You Need
The first step in determining what type of lawyer you need after a loved one dies is to understand what services estate lawyers offer. An estate attorney can help with the probate process, which is the legal process of distributing a person’s assets after they die. They can also help with estate planning, which is the process of creating a plan for how a person’s assets are distributed after they die.
If you need help with the probate process, contact an estate attorney. If you need help with estate planning, you may want to contact a family attorney. Family attorneys can help with the probate process and with estate planning. In case your loved one died as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may want to contact a wrongful death lawyer. Wrongful death attorneys specialize in cases where someone has died as a result of another person’s negligence.
When choosing an attorney, it’s important to consider their legal experience. Choose an attorney with experience handling the type of case you have. For example, if you have a wrongful death case, choose an attorney with experience handling wrongful death cases. After a loved one dies, you may feel overwhelmed and not sure what to do. Contacting an attorney can help you understand your legal options and allow you to make the best decisions for your family.
3. Figure Out What You Will Do With Their House
After a loved one dies, you may be wondering what to do with their house. One option is to sell it. You can do this by hiring a real estate agent or by listing it yourself. Another option is to keep the house and live in it yourself. If you decide to do this, you’ll need to get house appraisal services to determine its value.
If you decide to sell the house, you’ll need to hire a real estate agent. They’ll list the house and help you find a buyer. Once you have a buyer, they’ll negotiate the sale and help you close the house.
Should you decide to list the house yourself, you’ll need to do some research to find out how much comparable houses in the area are selling for. You’ll also need to determine what repairs or renovations are needed before listing the house. Once you’ve all of the information you need, list the house and start showing it to potential buyers.
4. Determine How You Will Manage Their Personal Items
As you go through the process of dealing with the death of a loved one, you’ll likely need to figure out what to do with their personal belongings. One option is to take them to local pawn shops. Pawn shops are a great option for getting rid of personal items after a loved one dies. They’ll typically take most items, including jewelry, electronics, and furniture.
The biggest benefit of using a pawn shop is that you can usually get rid of everything in one trip. This can be helpful if you’re trying to clear out the house as quickly as possible. Another benefit of using a pawn shop is that you can often get more money for your items than you would by selling them online or at a garage sale. This is because pawn shops typically resell items for more than they pay for them.
If you’re considering using a pawn shop to get rid of personal belongings after a loved one dies, do your research ahead of time. This way, you are more likely to find a reputable shop that offers fair prices.
5. Figure Out How You Will Clean Out Their House
After a loved one dies, you may need to clean their house. The first step is to decide what you want to keep and what you want to get rid of. This can be a difficult and emotional process; so, take your time. Once you have sorted everything, it’s time to start packing the items you want to keep. You may want to rent a storage unit to store things if you don’t have enough space in your own home.
Now it’s time to deal with the items you want to get rid of. If you’ve got a lot of large items, you may want to go for dumpster rentals. You can also contact your local residential trash removal service to haul away unwanted items. Once everything is out of the house, start cleaning. Consider hiring a professional cleaning service to give the house a deep clean.
Once the house is clean, consider painting or making other changes to give it your personal feel and taste. Finally, start moving your belongings in and make the house feel like home again, your home. If you find the process of clearing and cleaning your loved one’s house too overwhelming and emotional, there are professional estate cleanout services that can help. Since they’re not as emotionally invested as you are, this task is a breeze for them.
6. Contact the Social Security Administration
It’s important to contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) after a loved one dies. The SSA is responsible for providing financial assistance to those who have lost a breadwinner. When you contact the SSA, provide them with the deceased person’s Social Security number. You’ll also need to provide them with proof of death, such as a death certificate. The SSA will then provide you with information on how to file for survivor benefits. Survivor benefits can replace some of the lost income.
7. Contact the Deceased’s Life Insurance Company
After a loved one dies, the first thing you should do is contact their life insurance company. This is an important step in ensuring that their policy is valid and that you’re able to collect on the death benefit. The life insurance company will help you determine if the policy is still in force and if you’re the named beneficiary. They’ll also be able to provide you with information on how to file a claim and what documentation you’ll need to provide.
In most cases, the death benefit from a life insurance policy is paid out relatively quickly. However, there may be some delays if the insurance company needs to investigate the cause of death, or if there are issues with the policy. Once the death benefit is paid out, it’s typically used to cover final expenses such as funeral costs, outstanding debts, and estate taxes. The remaining funds can be distributed to the beneficiaries according to the terms of the policy.
If you have questions or concerns about the life insurance claim process, the best thing to do is to contact the life insurance company directly. They’re best qualified to provide you with the information and assistance you need.
8. Contact the Deceased’s Employer
After a loved one dies, it’s important to contact the deceased’s employer to inquire about employee death benefits. This can be a difficult and emotional time, but it’s important to take care of practical matters as well. The employer may be able to provide financial support to the family of the deceased, as well as help with funeral arrangements. They can also provide counseling and support services to grieving employees.
It’s important to have all of the necessary information when contacting the employer, such as the date of death and the employee’s social security number. The employer will also need to know who to contact for further information. The death of a loved one is always a difficult time, but it’s important to take care of practical matters as well. Contacting the deceased’s employer is one way to do this.
9. Contact their Credit and Utility Companies
When a loved one dies, it’s important to contact their credit and utility companies. This helps to ensure their accounts are properly closed and that outstanding balances are paid. Contacting credit and utility companies is a simple process. Simply call the customer service number for each company and provide the necessary information.
The customer service representatives will likely need the date of death and the account number. They may also ask for your contact information in case they may have questions later on. Once the account is closed, you’ll no longer be responsible for accruing charges. However, it’s important to keep all documentation related to the account in case there are issues or questions later on.
If you have questions about the process, or if you need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact the customer service number for each company. They will be more than happy to help you through this difficult time.
10. Contact the Veterans Administration
After a loved one dies, you may want to contact the Veterans Administration (VA). The VA can provide you with information about benefits and services that you may be entitled to. The VA can also help you with burial arrangements for your loved one. They can provide you with a list of national cemeteries and help you make arrangements for burial at a state or private cemetery.
If you’re struggling after a loved one dies, there are a few things you can do to help yourself. First, allow yourself to grieve. It’s perfectly okay and normal to experience a range of emotions, including sadness, anger, and guilt. Don’t be afraid to cry or to talk about your loved one. Also, try as much as possible not to isolate yourself as this could make your situation worse. Second, reach out to your support system. This could be family, friends, or a support group for people who are grieving. Talking to others who have experienced loss can be helpful. Finally, take care of yourself, and don’t feel guilty about feeling good. The thing to remind yourself is that after a loved one dies, they are never coming back, and they want you to live your best life. Grieving can be exhausting, so make sure to get plenty of rest and eat healthy foods. If you’re finding it difficult to cope with the grief, by all means, contact a mental health professional for help.