Losing someone you love stops everything. The shock and grief can feel overpowering, but decisions about final arrangements may need to be made quickly. 

This checklist walks you through the immediate steps — some more urgent than others — at a pace you can manage. What is most important to remember is that you don't have to do everything all at once.

The First Steps of the Final Chapter

Secure the deceased's home or property and ensure any dependents and pets are safe and have short-term care. 

After a nurse or doctor has made an official pronouncement of death, notify family, friends, and, if applicable, clergy, the person's employer, and other medical providers. 

Other key notifications, including some that prevent fraud or identity theft:

• Banks or other financial institutions, insurance carriers, credit card companies, credit bureaus, and major loan processors (like mortgage lenders).
• The Social Security Administration, to stop any payments (including Medicare); if you're working with a funeral home, filing a death notice might not be necessary. A surviving spouse may qualify for death or survivor benefits. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs handles benefit payments, life insurance, and burial, death, and survivor benefits for veterans and members of the military.
• The U.S. Department of State to cancel any passports.
• State social service agencies to cancel any benefits: TANF (welfare), SNAP (food stamps), rental assistance, Medicaid
• The local election office to cancel any voter registration.
• The state bureau of motor vehicles to cancel a driver's license or state ID, vehicle registrations, or disabled placards. (A copy of the registration might be required.)
• Utilities: electricity, phone, heat, water/sewer, TV providers, internet
• The local U.S. embassy or consulate if the death occurred overseas.
• Mail and phone calls: 
  • Ask the U.S. Postal Service to forward mail to the deceased's next of kin or personal representative.
  • To prevent marketing calls, contact the National Do Not Call List registry: donotcall.gov or 1-888-382-1222
  • To stop marketing mail, register at optoutprescreen.com and dmachoice.org, the Direct Marketing Association's Mail Preference Service. You might need to contact other mailers that don't use these services directly.

Taking Time to Grieve Before Doing Everything  

For emotional support before you tackle every task, lean on friends, clergy, therapists, or support groups. Counseling offers a healthy outlet for grief.

As you grieve and close your loved one's final chapter, setting boundaries helps you stay grounded. That might mean you designate a “paperwork day” or even a “rest day.” Many legal and financial tasks don't need to be completed in the first few days. It's OK to bring a friend or family member to meetings with the funeral home or probate attorney. 

How to Plan for a Funeral Service or Memorial
  
Work with a funeral home to plan obituaries and any military or religious honors. An advance directive (or "living will") may include burial plans, and some people have prepaid arrangements (sometimes called a mortuary trust). 

Funeral directors usually provide certified death certificates. You might need at least ten as proof of death for banks, insurers, or government agencies. 
   
Among the common funeral and memorial options in Maine are cremation and church-based celebrations of life. There are also many ways to cover the costs, including any local, state, or federal government death benefits. 

Key Legal Documents, Roles, and Responsibilities

If the deceased person had significant probate assets, someone may need to petition the local probate court to be appointed as personal representative of the estate. This person manages the estate's property, communication, and records. They also have the legal authority to sign contracts. 

Documents to gather to start the probate process: 

• The deceased's estate plan: a will, trust, durable power of attorney, or advance directive
• Beneficiary designations for financial accounts (if necessary)
• Any life insurance policies
• Property deeds or titles (house, car, etc.)
• Recent credit reports from Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian
• Tax returns and recent financial statements
• ID: Birth or marriage certificates; a passport (if applicable)
• Online accounts and passwords (if applicable)

Also check for written organ donation or pre-paid memorial arrangements, including any charities for memorial gifts. The state motor vehicle bureau may have organ donation requests on file. In Maine, signed and written burial arrangements usually take priority over verbal wishes.

Reviewing financial accounts and debts   

Check the deceased's bank, retirement, investment accounts, or other financial accounts with designated beneficiaries. File any life insurance claims.

Not every account must go through probate — joint or designated beneficiary accounts often don't. A probate attorney can help clarify which accounts are probate assets. 
 
Identify and organize any debts and recurring bills. 

If a collector contacts you about a deceased relative's debts, know your rights. Don't pay debts out of pocket; they should only be paid from the estate after all parties have been notified. In Maine, administration costs come first, then reasonable funeral expenses. Medical bills, credit card balances, and other debts are paid afterward - if at all - in the order state law requires. 

Contacting a Maine Probate Attorney  

A probate attorney can ease the process, especially with complex assets (including out-of-state property), blended families, or potential disputes.

They can also help determine if probate is needed, guide the personal representative (also known as "executor"), and interpret state laws. They can help in getting "Letters of Authority" (also known as "Letters Testamentary"), if necessary, from a Maine probate court. These legal documents give the personal representative formal power to act on the estate's behalf.  

Maine follows a simplified process for smaller estates. An estate worth less than about $50,000 (adjusted for inflation each year) may be claimed using a small estate affidavit at least 30 days after the death — no court process is required if certain conditions are met. The threshold changes yearly, so confirm the current amount with a probate attorney.

How Our Maine Estate Planning Firm Can Help  

You don't have to go through the legal and financial process of loss alone. We support families through immediate steps, estate administration, and long-term planning before or after a loved one passes away. 

To understand your options, schedule a free consultation online or call (207) 377-6966.