WHAT to do immediately
-Gather family members. Plan, organize, delegate. Agree on main contact person.
-Prepare lists of records to gather, tasks to do, people to contact. Establish responsibilities.
-Establish dates & locations of
-Viewing
-Interment
-Reception
Who to inform
– Family members
– Close friends
– Employer
– Trustee, executor
– Pastor, minister, priest, rabbi – Doctor, attorney, accountant – Life insurance agent
What to bring for funeral arrangements:
– Photograph that shows hairstyle.
– Memorial tablet inscription – Birth certificate.
– Before-need contract.
– Military discharge papers.
What to select
– Memorial park
– Casket/vault
– Memorial tablet
– Photo for embalmer.
– Photo to be enlarged for services
– Clothing for deceased
– Clothing for family members
– Casket bearers
– Speakers at service
– Scriptures & readings
– Photographer
– Videographer
– Music
– Flowers
What to do after burial
– Gather records.
– Meet with lawyer
– Meet with CPA
– Meet with insurance agent
– Visit nearest social security office
– Identify special needs of family members.
– Plan to safeguard assets especially life insurance proceeds.
– Get 10 to 20 copies of death certificate. You’ll need more certificates than you think.
What records to gather
– Living trust, last will & testament, and other estate documents.
– Life insurance policies.
– Latest bank statements – savings, checking, CD.
– Latest broker statements – stocks and bonds.
– IRA, 401k, SEP, annuities, and other retirement docs.
– Real estate deeds, property tax bills, mortgage statements.
– Vehicle registration, ownership certificates and related loans/leases.
– Receivables – promissory notes and other loan statements.
– Payables – credit cards and other loans payable.
– Social security numbers of deceased, spouse, children < 18 (or 19 if in high school
– Birth certificates of deceased, spouse, children < 18 (or 19 if in high school).
– Marriage certificate.
– Citizenship papers. – Social security statements.
– Death certificate (about 5 copies).
– Latest wage statement W2 or income tax return 1040.
– Safety deposit box location or key.
– Corporate, LLC, & partnership records (articles, tax returns).
Social Security: Tel (800) 772-1213, Website www.ssa.gov.
– Social security numbers of deceased, spouse, children < 18 (or 19 if in high school
– Birth certificates of deceased, spouse, children < 18 (or 19 if in high school).
– Marriage license.
– Death certificate (about 5 copies).
– Latest wage statement w2 or income tax return 1040.
Who to pay
– Hospitals, doctors, & other expenses of last illness.
– Memorial Park for lot, tablet, interment.
– Gratuity for minister.
– Florists, photographer, videographer, musicians.
* * *
Victor Santos Sy, CPA, MBA, provides professional services in accounting and tax controversy including IRS audit defense and offers in compromise. He also advises clients on choices of entity including corporations for small businesses and LLCs for rentals. Vic worked with SyCip, Gorres, Velayo (SGV – Andersen Consulting) and Ernst & Young before establishing Sy Accountancy Corporation at 704 Mira Monte Place, Pasadena, CA 91101. The firm celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. You may email tax questions to Vic at [email protected]. You are welcome to visit our website for more than 300 tax tips at www.victorsycpa.com.