My Wonderful Life

To Do Immediately After Death

• Check for any written instructions for the body disposition, funeral plans and other details on mywonderfullife.com
• Notify Funeral home (if necessary)
• Contact family, friends, and co-workers who may not be aware of the death (see your loved one's MyWonderfulLife.com book for whom to contact)
• Gather information for obituary and contact newspapers
• Contact deceased’s employer 
• Take security precautions

• Assign a house sitter
• Remove valuable items from deceased’s house
• Forward mail
• Cancel newspapers
  

Remove any jewelry from deceased

Funeral Arrangements to be made*

• Select clergy
• Choose funeral home
• Decide the location of the service
• Decide on place and time of funeral service
• Inquire about special religious services
• Choose a burial container
• Choose a burial site (find burial property documentation of ownership)
• Decide either outer burial container or crypt
• Pick out clothing for the deceased (if necessary)
• Choose scripture to be read
• Choose individual(s) to read eulogies
• Pick type of flowers and music
• Choose pallbearers
• Order a funeral limousine
• Find type of religious, fraternal or military service of deceased
  
• Choose the memorial type and inscription
• Sign necessary papers for burial permit
• Choose a charitable organization(s) to receive donations
  

Facts to Find for Obituary

(Many of these facts can be found in your loved one’s MyWonderfulLife.com book.)

• Given name
• Armed services number
• Date and birthplace
• Occupation and employer
• Mother’s maiden name and birthplace
• Father’s name and birthplace
• Those who have proceeded in death
• Survivors and relationship to deceased
• Hobbies, interests
• Schools attended
  

Other Things to Do Before Funeral*

• Meet with funeral director and clergy
• Arrange care for infants or other minor children
• Greet friends and family at service
• Meet out-of-town attendees
• Write a eulogy
• Search for special wishes included in will
• Keep a list of callers, flower tributes and donations
• Provide lodging for out-of-town attendees
• Answer phone calls and letters 
• Pick out clothing for surviving spouse and children
• Prepare your home for family and friends
  

Documents to Locate

(Check your loved one’s MyWonderfulLife.com book to see if they left any information on where to find these documents.)

• Will
• Birth certificate
• Social Security card
• Military discharge papers
• Insurance policies (health, life, property)
• Citizenship papers (if appropriate)
• Automobile title
• Property deeds
• Marriage license
• Income tax returns (past two years)
• Disability claims (if any)
• All documents necessary for deceased’s taxes (ask your accountant)
  

Notify the Following*

• Attorney, accountant, executor of estate
• Cemetery and funeral home
• Family members
• Close friends
• Doctor
• All insurance agents
• Religious, fraternal, civic organizations
  

Bills To Be Paid*

• Funeral director
• Family burial space
• Clergy
• Interment/burial services
• Florist
• Memorials
• Funeral services
• Limousines and funeral coach (hearse)
• Refreshments
• Clothing
• Medicine and drugs
• Musicians
• Others (rent, mortgage, taxes)
  

Things to do after the Funeral

• Obtain 10-15 death certificates
• Contact your local Social Security Office
• Call all possible pension or retirement services and insurance agents of descendant     to inquire about death benefits
• Order thank you cards for flowers, donations, etc.
  

*All are only applicable if necessary. Check your loved one’s MyWonderfulLife.com book to determine which arrangements to make.