# First steps when someone dies > If they passed at home, call 911, or the hospice nurse if they were in hospice. Get several copies of the death certificate, look for a will, keep their home safe, and let Social Security and their bank know. Don’t pay their debts from your own money; debts are usually paid from what they left. - URL: https://explained.page/when-someone-dies - Language: en - Last checked: 2026-10-29 - Watch the 1-minute animated guide: https://explained.page/watch?start=when-someone-dies ## Step by step 1. **We’re sorry for your loss.** There’s no rush. Here are the first steps, one at a time. 2. **If they passed at home, call 911.** If they were in hospice care, call the hospice nurse instead. 3. **Get several copies of the death certificate.** The funeral home can order them. Banks and agencies each need one. 4. **Look for a will and important papers.** Check desks, files, a safe, and any bank safe deposit box. 5. **Keep their home safe.** Lock up, collect the mail, and keep the heat or power on. 6. **Let people know.** Social Security, their bank, their employer and their insurance companies. 7. **Don’t pay their debts from your own money.** Debts are usually paid from what they left behind, not by family. 8. **The executor may need to go through probate.** That’s the court process to pay final bills and pass on what’s left. 9. **Look it up the right way.** Search with your town or state in the words. Pick the official site: it usually ends in .gov. Skip ads and sites that charge for free forms. 10. **A house, a big estate, or family disagreeing?** An estate lawyer can guide you. Many offer a free first call. ## Checklist - Call 911 or the hospice nurse - Get several copies of the death certificate - Look for a will and papers - Keep their home safe - Tell Social Security, their bank and employer - Don’t pay debts from your own money - Ask if probate is needed ## The first day There’s no rush to decide everything. If they passed at home, call 911; if they were in hospice care, call the hospice nurse. Then contact a funeral home. ## The first weeks - Get several copies of the death certificate. The funeral home can usually order them. - Look for a will and important papers: desks, files, a safe, and any safe deposit box. - Keep their home safe: lock up, collect the mail, keep the heat or power on. - Let Social Security, their bank, their employer and insurance companies know. ## Money and debts Don’t pay their debts from your own money. Debts are usually paid from what they left behind. The executor may need to go through probate, the court process to pay final bills and pass on what’s left. ## When to get help A house, a large estate, or family disagreements are good reasons to talk to an estate lawyer. ## Common questions ### Do I have to pay my parent’s debts? Usually not from your own money. Debts are generally paid from the estate. Some exceptions exist, like debts you co-signed. Source page: https://explained.page/when-someone-dies/questions/do-i-have-to-pay-my-parents-debts ### Is probate always needed? Not always. Small estates or property with named beneficiaries may skip it. Rules vary by state. Source page: https://explained.page/when-someone-dies/questions/is-probate-always-needed ### Who do I call first when someone dies at home? If the death was unexpected, call 911. If the person was in hospice care, call the hospice nurse instead; they’ll guide you through the next steps. Source page: https://explained.page/when-someone-dies/questions/who-do-i-call-first-when-someone-dies-at-home ### How many death certificates do I need? Many families order 5 to 10. Banks, insurance companies, pension plans, the DMV and others often want a certified copy, and ordering more later can take time. Source page: https://explained.page/when-someone-dies/questions/how-many-death-certificates-do-i-need ### Am I responsible for my parent’s debts? Usually not. Debts are paid from the estate (what the person left behind). You may owe if you co-signed, shared the account, or live in a state with special rules, so be careful with collectors who pressure you. Source page: https://explained.page/when-someone-dies/questions/am-i-responsible-for-my-parents-debts ### Do we have to go through probate? Not always. Joint accounts, accounts with a named beneficiary, and living trusts usually skip probate. Many states also have simpler steps for small estates. Source page: https://explained.page/when-someone-dies/questions/do-we-have-to-go-through-probate ### How do I stop Social Security payments after a death? The funeral home often reports the death, but you should also tell Social Security. A payment for the month of death may need to be returned, and family members may qualify for survivor benefits. Source page: https://explained.page/when-someone-dies/questions/how-do-i-stop-social-security-payments-after-a-death ### What happens to their bank accounts? Joint accounts usually go to the surviving owner. Accounts with a “payable on death” person go to that person. Other accounts become part of the estate and are handled by the executor. Source page: https://explained.page/when-someone-dies/questions/what-happens-to-their-bank-accounts ## Official sources - [Social Security Administration](https://www.ssa.gov/) - [FTC consumer advice: debts and deceased relatives](https://consumer.ftc.gov/) To find your local office, search for: - "[your county] probate court" - "[your state] small estate affidavit" --- General information, not legal or professional advice. Rules differ by state. From explained.page (www.explained.page). Life’s stuff, explained simply.