First 72 Hours After a Death Checklist

The first days after someone dies are a blur of phone calls and decisions. Families often call the same bank twice, forget who was told, or feel rushed into choices at the funeral home.

This checklist gives one family member a clear set of pages to work from, with plain summaries of official guidance from the FTC and Social Security Administration and space to write everything down.

Who it is for

• Adult children, spouses, and siblings handling the first days
• Families with a loved one on hospice who want to be ready
• The family member who ends up "in charge" of the calls

What's inside

• Start here and the first 24 hours. What to do first based on where the death happened, what can wait, and a call log.
• Call and text scripts. Word-for-word scripts for the funeral home, bank, employer, Social Security, and family.
• Funeral home questions. A plain summary of your rights under the FTC Funeral Rule and a price comparison table.
• Certificates and Social Security. A death certificate order log and what SSA says about reporting a death.
• Money, mail, and people to notify. Autopay and account worksheet, mail steps, and a notification log.
• Documents, tasks, and days 4 to 30. A documents checklist, a family task split, a roadmap, and a fridge card.

Also included in the Before and After Family Set ($11.99 on Gumroad).

How to use it

1. Print it and give it to one family member to hold.
2. Start with page 2, then use the first 24 hours page and call log.
3. Use the scripts and price comparison before signing anything.
4. Split tasks on the family task page so nobody does the same call twice.

What it is not

• Not legal, funeral, tax, estate, insurance, or Social Security advice.
• Not a death certificate, will, or court document.

Free official resources we recommend

• FTC: The FTC Funeral Rule
• SSA: What to do when someone dies
• CDC: Where to Write for Vital Records

Frequently asked questions

What should a family do in the first 72 hours after a death?

In the first 72 hours, most families arrange for the person to be taken into care, contact a funeral home, tell close family, secure the home, pets, and valuables, and gather key documents. Many other tasks can wait a few days. Our checklist walks through each step in order with scripts and space for notes.

Read our guide for when a parent dies

Does the checklist cover funeral home pricing rights?

Yes. One page gives a plain-English summary of your consumer rights under the Federal Trade Commission Funeral Rule, such as getting prices by phone and receiving a written price list, plus questions to ask. Another page helps you compare up to three funeral providers side by side before you decide.

Is the First 72 Hours checklist a physical product?

No. The First 72 Hours checklist is a digital PDF download (13 pages, US Letter size). Nothing is shipped to you. After you buy on Etsy, the file is ready right away under You, then Purchases, on Etsy.com. You print it at home or at a copy shop and keep it in a binder or folder.

Can I type into the PDF or do I fill it in by hand?

You fill it in by hand. Our kits are print-and-write PDFs with large, roomy lines, not fillable forms. Many families find that writing by hand at the kitchen table is faster and easier to share. Print in color or black and white, at 100% (Actual Size) on US Letter paper.

How do I download my file after buying on Etsy?

Sign in on Etsy.com in a web browser, open You, then Purchases, and choose Download Files next to your order. A computer browser is usually easiest because the Etsy app does not always open PDFs. If anything will not open, message us on Etsy and we will help you get it.

Can I print more than one copy for my family?

Yes. You can print as many copies as your own household needs, for example a spare for the fridge, the car, or a family member who helps out. The file is for personal and family use, so please do not resell it, share it publicly, or hand out copies to other households.

Please note: This printable is an organizational and educational tool only. It is not a will, trust, power of attorney, advance directive, or any legal document, and it is not legal, medical, financial, tax, insurance, or funeral advice. Rules vary by state and change over time, so confirm them on the official sites linked inside.

Helpful free guides

• Who to Notify When Someone Dies: A Printable US Checklist: Who already gets told, who you call in the first days, weeks, and month, a "who already knows?" quiz, a short call script, and a free printable call log.
• How Many Death Certificates Do I Need? Count Yours in 5 Minutes: Count your certified copies in five minutes, and learn which places take a photocopy instead.
• When a Parent Dies: Calm first steps for US families in the first days after a death.
• Death Binder Checklist: What to Put in an In Case of Death Binder: A 10-minute "could you find it tonight?" self-check that turns into your death binder to-do list.
• Just in Case Binder for Mom and Dad: If something happened tomorrow, your family would know who to call and where things are.
• When a Parent Dies: start here