What to Do After a Loss: First Steps, Support, and a Printable Checklist
When someone close to you passes away, the world doesn’t stop — but your mind might. You’re met with grief, uncertainty, and responsibilities you may not have expected.
This guide is for anyone asking:
“What do I do now?”
Whether you're taking the lead, offering support from a distance, or simply trying to make sense of what comes next, you're not alone.
First Things First: You Don’t Have to Do It All Alone
The early days after a loss can feel foggy and full. You may be:
Making difficult phone calls
Sorting through unfamiliar tasks
Trying to honor someone you care about while holding everything together
This guide is here to simplify the next steps — not all of them, just the ones that matter most right now.
We’ll cover:
Who to notify
What needs attention early on
How to ask for help
What paperwork to save for later
Where to download a free printable checklist
Who to Notify After a Loved One Passes
This part can feel heavy — especially if you're repeating the news over and over. Ask someone you trust to help share updates if needed.
People to contact may include:
Immediate or extended family
A doctor, hospice nurse, or hospital staff
A spiritual or cultural guide (if that feels relevant)
A close friend or support person who can help communicate with others
Tip: You don’t have to answer every call or text. Ask someone to help manage communication if it’s becoming too much.
First Steps in the First Few Days
You may feel like you're moving underwater. That’s okay.
Start small, one decision at a time.
Contact a funeral home, cremation provider, or aftercare service
Locate essential documents (such as a will, ID, or healthcare directive)
Begin thinking about whether you’ll plan a memorial
Secure their space, belongings, or pets
Request multiple copies of the death certificate if needed
If you're helping from another state: Offer to make calls, research service providers, or help write the obituary. Distance doesn’t mean you can’t be a part of it.
How to Ask for Help When You're “Handling It”
If it feels like everything is falling on your shoulders — that’s because it often does. But that doesn’t mean you have to carry it alone.
Some ways to ease the weight:
Delegate tasks like meal coordination, logistics, or errands
Set up a group text or shared document to communicate with others
Ask for help writing announcements or setting up a memorial page
Book a Clarity Call if you need space to sort through everything with support
Whether you’ve been planning for this or it came unexpectedly, it’s okay to pause and ask: “Can someone help me with this part?”
What Paperwork to Gather — and What Can Wait
You don’t need to have every document right away. Focus on the essentials first.
Gather soon:
Legal ID (driver’s license, passport)
Social Security number
Will or healthcare directive (if applicable)
Marriage, birth, or insurance documents
Can wait:
Bank statements
Property deeds and titles
Social Security notifications
Life insurance claims
Digital accounts or passwords
Keep what you can in one place and update it slowly.
Download the Printable 72-Hour Checklist
When things feel like too much, it helps to have a clear list.
This checklist covers only the most immediate decisions — not everything, just what matters now.
👉 Download the 72-Hour Checklist
If you're preparing something to share
Whether you're writing an obituary, speaking at a memorial, or creating a slideshow that really reflects who they were, we're here to help shape something meaningful — and take some of the pressure off.
We offer:
Clarity Calls — a space to think out loud and plan with support
The Signature Tribute — visuals, words, and thoughtful creative help
Legacy & Tribute Writing — for when the words won’t come easily
You don’t have to do it all — and you don’t have to do it alone.
Final Words
If you’ve landed here, you’re likely in the midst of something really hard.
You don’t have to know what comes next — you just have to take the next step.
We're here when you’re ready.