The Next 72 Hours

If you've made it through the first 24 hours, you've done something hard. The immediate shock has begun to settle — and now comes a different kind of challenge: managing grief and logistics at the same time.

The next 72 hours tend to bring a mix of heartbreaking tasks and small moments of unexpected grace. This guide helps you focus on what matters — and let go of what can wait.

Obtain the Death Certificate

This is the single most important document you will need in the coming weeks. You will use death certificates to notify banks, insurance companies, government agencies, and more. Order more than you think you'll need — typically 10 to 15 copies for a person with significant assets or accounts.

Your funeral home will usually handle the filing of the death certificate and can order certified copies. Ask them directly how many copies they recommend in your situation.

Notify Key Institutions

Over the next few days, you will need to begin notifying the institutions your loved one was connected to:

• Their bank and credit card companies (to protect against fraud)
• Social Security Administration (if they received benefits)
• Life insurance companies (to begin the claims process)
• Medicare, Medicaid, or Veterans Affairs, if applicable
• Their employer or pension provider
• Their doctor and any ongoing care providers

This does not all need to happen today. But beginning to gather contact information and account numbers now will make the coming weeks easier.

Plan the Memorial or Funeral Service

If you haven't already, begin working with the funeral home to arrange the service. Key decisions include:

• Burial or cremation
• Type of service (religious, secular, graveside, memorial)
• Venue and timing
• An obituary and its publication
• Flowers, music, and other personal touches

Did your loved one leave wishes? Look in their Life Binder, a letter of instruction, or ask the family if they shared preferences.

Let People Help

One of the most important things you can do in these days is let the people who love you help. Grief is not meant to be navigated alone, and the logistics of loss are not meant to fall entirely on one person.

Assign roles. Ask someone to coordinate meals. Ask another person to help draft the obituary. Let someone else manage incoming calls and messages. The people who want to help just need to be given a way to do it.

What Can Wait

Not everything needs to happen this week. These things can wait until after the funeral:

• Sorting through personal belongings
• Canceling subscriptions and memberships
• Closing email accounts or social media profiles
• Beginning probate (this has a longer timeline than most realize)
• Making any major decisions about property or finances

Give yourself and your family permission to grieve. The administrative work will still be there when you're ready.