INFORMATION AND RESOURCES TO ASSIST YOU
If possible, have a relative or friend help you through this process to provide comfort and support.
Who must I notify when a death occurs?
If a death occurs outside of a health care facility, call the authorities by dialing 911. They will provide assistance to guide you.
Notify the deceased person's family, close friends, employer/business colleagues, school/college or any organization with which they were affiliated.
Contact the deceased person's bank. This is especially important if checks are automatically deposited or bills automatically paid directly from accounts.
Notify Social Security and/or any other organizations paying benefits to the deceased person.
If the deceased person has a will, notify their executor.
Notify applicable insurance companies
Check for any outstanding debts such as credit card bills. You may need to ask for time extensions on payments coming due until the estate is settled.
If necessary, contact the deceased person's landlord, cancel utilities, telephone, and any other service, and give the post office a forwarding address for mail.
Legal Requirements
You will need a variety of documents to satisfy legal requirements and claim benefits.
Death Certificate - this can be obtained from the County Health Department or your Funeral Director may obtain it for you. You will need multiple certifies copies of death certificates for many legal transaction. There is a fee for each copy
In most states, you will need the following information for the death certificate:
Date and place of birth
Mother’s and father’s names
Social security number
Veteran’s discharge or claim number
Level of Education
Marital Status
You may also need information on:
Citizenship
Racial/ethnic background
Religion
You will need certified copies of the death certificate for the following types of transactions:
Execution of a will
Insurance, Social Security, Veteran’s and /or other benefit claims
Access to bank accounts, other financial assets, and safety deposit boxes
Transfer of ownership of a home, car, or other assets
You may also need the following information:
Birth certificates- for the deceased and dependent children. Available at either County or State public records offices where the person was born.
Marriage certificate- available form the County Clerk where the marriage license was issued.
Discharge certificate for veterans- available form National Personnel Records Center, 9700 Page Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri 63132-5200, attention to the appropriate branch of the service.
Original will- available form the attorney who wrote it.
Social Security numbers- for the deceased person, spouse, and any dependent children.
Recent income tax returns- you will need to fill out IRS form 4050.
Benefits
Employer- many employers provide health, accident, and or life insurance. The deceased person may be due a final paycheck, vacation, and or sick leave compensation. There may also be payment form pension plan, annuity, and/or health insurance coverage available for the family.
Social Security- pays a death benefit for burial expenses for eligible spouse and dependent children. There are also survivor benefits available in some cases. Contact the Social Security Administration for details.
Veteran's Benefits- may be available for a burial, funeral, headstone or marker. Contact the Veteran’s Administration for details.
Insurance- additional to life insurance, some loans, mortgages, and credit card accounts are covered by credit life insurance that pays outstanding balances.
Union and Professional Organizations-may pay a death benefit for members.