A gentle, clear guide to the first tasks when your parent dies—and how to reduce overwhelm while honoring what matters most.

Losing a parent is a deeply personal and emotional experience—and it can also bring a flood of practical tasks that feel heavy when you’re already hurting. If you’re facing this right now, you’re not alone. In this article, we walk through what to do when a parent dies, especially in the first 24-48 hours, with a calm, clear “after parent dies checklist” you can follow. Think of it as a helpful friend guiding you step-by-step. You’ll find both the vital actions and gentle reminders to care for your heart as you care for the logistics.

First Steps in the First Hours

Secure the scene and get the official pronouncement

When your parent dies, the first thing is to make sure a medical professional pronounces the death. If they were under hospice care or in a facility, call the hospice nurse or staff. If at home and not under hospice, call 911 or local emergency services. This step starts all the legal and logistical processes.
Then, keep the space calm. Close windows, lock the door if safe, and give yourself permission to breathe for a moment.

Choose a “point person” and alert family

Pick one trusted person to act as your point person—someone who can take calls, update family members, and reduce the pressure on you. Then send a brief message like: “Dad passed on [date]. We’ll share service details soon.” Having one central communicator helps you focus.
Ask for help—let others bring meals, pick up pets, or help with practical items. You don’t need to do everything alone.

Start a simple “after parent dies checklist” overview

Before diving into every task, write down a short list of what you need to address in the next 24-48 hours. For example:

• Pronouncement of death & death certificate
• Funeral home contact & arrangements
• Mail forwarding / home security
• Gather will, insurance, important documents

This early list gives you a little control when things feel out of control.

The First 24-48 Hours—Key Practical Tasks

Locate important documents and preferences

Find the will, any prepaid funeral plans, life-insurance policies, and burial or cremation wishes. Having these early helps you honor your parent’s wishes and eases the burden of decisions.
If you can’t find everything, write down where you looked and who else might know.

Choose a funeral home and ask for many death certificates

Once the pronouncement is done, call a funeral home (or the one your parent pre-selected). Ask for itemized pricing and confirm who will handle the death certificate orders. Order multiple certified death certificates (10-12 is often recommended) so you don’t get stuck later.
This step is one of the first items on many “after parent dies checklists” because it unlocks banks, benefits, and legal processes.

Secure the home, redirect mail, and protect accounts

If your parent lived alone or their home is now quiet, lock doors, turn off utilities, if needed, and forward the mail. The mail often reveals bills, subscriptions, or unexpected correspondence.
Contact banks and credit agencies (or note to do so) and consider setting up a simple “Estate of [Parent’s Name]” bank account to receive income and pay bills, if applicable.

Notify employer/benefits and insurance

If your parent worked, had a pension, or life insurance, now is the time to call their companies HR department and the insurance company. Tell them about the death and ask what the next steps are.
Benefits, Social Security (U.S.) or Government of Canada services may require the certified death certificate. Having multiple copies helps streamline these processes.

Emotional Care & Common Mistakes to Avoid

Let yourself pause and feel

Amid the tasks, your grief matters. It’s okay to sit with the pain, call a friend, or simply not make a decision for a few hours. One wish people often share: they wish they’d allowed themselves more stillness before moving full speed ahead.
Your to-do list doesn’t mean you must be “fine” or push through without pause.

Don’t rush irreversible decisions

Many people regret giving away clothes, furniture, or personal items too early. Write down anything you’re unsure about and revisit after the funeral.
The “after parent dies checklist” isn’t a race—it’s a framework. You can decide some things later.

Keep one master list of everything

Create a running document where you capture: who you called, what you decided, what papers / documents you found, logins, passwords, and where belongings are stored.
This log becomes your anchor when your thoughts are swirling. People who did this say it saved them from repeating tasks and feeling scattered.

Conclusion

When you’re asking “what to do when parent dies,” remember: you’re doing the best you can in moments no one ever wants. Use this article as your calm guide. Secure the essentials, lean on your support network, and give yourself permission to feel. The “after parent dies checklist” you’ve started will lead you forward.

Your next step: download our full printable First 48 Hours Family Checklist (link) or explore our post on Executor Duties After a Parent Dies for what comes next. You don’t have to walk this path alone—let’s take the next step together.