Navigating the Journey: Managing the Aftermath of a Loved One’s Passing with Bio-One Fremont
Losing a loved one is an incredibly emotional and challenging experience. Amidst the grief, there is a mountain of practical tasks and paperwork that must be managed. At Bio-One Fremont, we understand the complexities of this process and are here to help with cleaning your loved one’s home and securing their belongings. However, there are numerous tasks that families must tend to in order to close out a loved one's life. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to navigate this intricate journey.
Immediate Actions After a Loved One's Passing
1. Get a Legal Pronouncement of Death:
This critical first step involves obtaining a death certificate, which is essential for many legal and financial matters. If your relative died at home, especially if the death was unexpected, you’ll need to get a medical professional to declare them dead. Call 911 soon after your loved one passes to have them transported to an emergency room where they can be declared dead and moved to a funeral home. If your family member died at home under hospice care, a hospice nurse can declare them dead. Without a declaration of death, you can’t plan a funeral or handle the deceased’s legal affairs.2. Learn About Existing Funeral and Burial Plans:
If your loved one had specific wishes, it's essential to honor them. Otherwise, discuss funeral and memorial plans with family to make informed decisions.3. Secure the Property:
Protect your loved one's home and belongings to prevent theft or damage during this vulnerable time.4. Provide Care for Pets:
Ensure that your loved one's pets are cared for until a permanent plan is in place.Within a Few Days of Death
1. Make Funeral, Burial, or Cremation Arrangements:
Seek assistance from a funeral home and explore any available benefits, especially for veterans or members of organizations. If the person was in the military or belonged to a fraternal or religious group, contact the Veterans Administration or the specific organization to see if it offers burial benefits or funeral services.2. Notify Friends, Family, and the Employer:
Informing people about the passing is not only a way to share the news but also to ensure that work-related matters are handled properly.3. Forward Mail:
Redirecting mail prevents property vulnerability and helps identify necessary subscriptions, creditors, and accounts to be canceled or paid.Two Weeks After Death
1. Secure Certified Copies of Death Certificates:
Get up to 10 copies of the death certificate. You’ll need these to close bank and brokerage accounts, file insurance claims, and register the death with government agencies. The funeral home can get copies on your behalf, or you can order them from the vital statistics office in the state where the person died.2. Find the Will and the Executor:
Locate the will and determine who will manage the estate's settlement, often known as the executor or personal agent.3. Meet with a Trusts and Estates Attorney:
While not always required, having an attorney can simplify the process, especially for larger estates.4. Contact a CPA:
Handling tax matters correctly is crucial, whether or not your loved one had an accountant.5. Take the Will to Probate:
The probate process ensures debts are paid and assets are distributed according to the will.6. Make an Inventory of All Assets:
List all assets, from bank accounts to personal property, to facilitate the settlement process.7. Track Down Additional Assets:
Be thorough in your search, checking tax returns, mail, email, brokerage and bank accounts, deeds, and titles.8. Make a List of Bills:
Ensure necessary expenses like mortgage, taxes, and utilities are paid during the settlement process.9. Cancel No-Longer-Needed Digital Services:
Cease services like cell phone plans and streaming subscriptions.10. Decide What to Do with the Passport:
Determine whether to keep it as a memento, return it officially, or destroy it.Notify Relevant Parties
- Social Security Administration (SSA): Inform the SSA to stop benefits and explore death benefits for family members.
- Life Insurance Companies: You’ll need an original death certificate and policy numbers to make claims.
- Long-Term Care (LTC) Insurance Companies: Notify the insurer of the death.
- Banks and Financial Institutions: Handle joint accounts, beneficiary designations, and estate accounts appropriately.
- Financial Advisers and Stockbrokers: Determine the beneficiary listed on accounts and manage tax implications.
- Credit Agencies: Send copies of the death certificate to prevent identity theft.
- Driver’s License: Remove the deceased's name from records.
- Credit Card Accounts: Close or update accounts to avoid misuse.
- Insurance Policies: Terminate home, auto, and health insurance policies.
- Social Media Accounts: Decide whether to delete or create memorial accounts.
- Email Accounts: Close the deceased's email accounts to prevent identity theft.
- Voter Registration: Notify authorities to remove the deceased from voter rolls.
Handling these practical tasks can be overwhelming, but remember that you don't have to go through this process alone. Reach out to friends, family, and professionals like Bio-One Fremont for support. We are here to help you with the practicalities so you can focus on grieving and healing.
At Bio-One Fremont, we are committed to providing compassionate and professional assistance during this difficult time. Contact us today for help with cleaning your loved one’s home and securing their belongings.
Contact Bio-One Fremont:
- Phone: (925) 369-3096
- Email: info@bioonefremont.com
Bio-One Fremont: Helping You Navigate the Difficult Journey of Losing a Loved One.
