When a person dies, alongside the grief much remains to be arranged. You don't have to do it all at once. Here, calmly and in order, is what really matters in the first days and what can wait.
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In the first hours only a few things count: the death certificate and the question of the funeral. Almost everything else – insurance, accounts, estate – has a few days. Take the points one after another, not all at once.
First a doctor confirms the death and issues the death certificate. It is the basis for all further steps. In a hospital or care home this happens automatically.
The death is recorded at the registry office of the place of death. You receive the death certificate – ideally in several copies, since many offices need it. Required are the doctor's certificate, ID card and, depending on marital status, a birth or marriage certificate.
A funeral company handles the transfer and many formalities. In most federal states there's a deadline within which the funeral must take place.
If there is a will, it must be handed to the probate court. Check whether there are instructions about the funeral or the estate.
Life, accident and funeral insurance often have short notice periods – some only a few days. The pension insurer and health insurer also need to be informed.
Inform the employer and the bank. Ongoing contracts – rent, electricity, subscriptions, memberships – can be cancelled or transferred. Gather the contract documents in one place for this.
To access accounts and assets a certificate of inheritance is often needed, which you apply for at the probate court. The estate itself can wait – take the time you need.
Count on several copies – for insurers, the bank, the pension insurer and the estate. Five to ten are rarely too many.
Immediately: the death certificate and the funeral. The estate, cancellations and the certificate of inheritance can usually wait. Just watch for short notice periods with insurers.
Not always. Some banks accept a notarial will with an opening record. Ask in each case before applying for a certificate of inheritance.
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As a PDF to print or check off – so you don't forget anything on the go or at the office.
Download checklist as PDF