Helpful Guidance

How Social Security Can Help When A Family Member Dies


Social Security should be notified as soon as possible when a person dies. In most cases, the funeral director will report the person’s death to Social Security. You will need to furnish the funeral director with the deceased’s Social Security number so he or she can make the report.

Some of the deceased’s family members may be able to receive Social Security benefits if the deceased person worked long enough under Social Security to qualify for benefits. You should get in touch with Social Security as soon as you can to make sure the family receives all of the benefits to which it may be entitled. Please read the following information carefully to learn what benefits may be available.

A one-time payment of $255 can be paid to the surviving spouse if he or she was living with the deceased; or, if living apart, was receiving certain Social Security benefits on the deceased’s record. If there is no surviving spouse, the payment is made to a child who is eligible for benefits on the deceased’s record in the month of death.


Certain family members may be eligible to receive monthly benefits, including:

  • A widow or widower age 60 or older (age 50 or older if disabled);
  • A widow or widower at any age who is caring for the deceased’s child under age 16 or disabled;
  • An unmarried child of the deceased who is:
    • Younger than age 18 (or up to age 19 if he or she is a full-time student in an elementary or secondary school); or
    • Age 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22;
  • A stepchild, grandchild, step-grandchild or adopted child under certain circumstances;
  • Parents, age 62 or older, who were dependent on the deceased for at least half of their support; and
  • A surviving divorced spouse, under certain circumstances.
If the deceased was receiving Social Security benefits, you must return the benefit received for the month of death or any later months. For example, if the person dies in July, you must return the benefit paid in August. If benefits were paid by direct deposit, contact the bank or other financial institution. Request that any funds received for the month of death or later be returned to Social Security. If the benefits were paid by check, do not cash any checks received for the month in which the person dies or later. Return the checks to Social Security as soon as possible.

However, eligible family members may be able to receive death benefits for the month in which the beneficiary died.

Contacting Social Security
For more information and to find copies of publications, visit www.socialsecurity.gov or www.ssa.gov.
You can also call toll-free, 1-800-746-9850. For the deaf or hard of hearing, call the TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.
All calls are kept confidential. Phone lines are open from 7am to 7pm, Monday through Friday. Information is provided by automated phone service 24 hours a day.

The Paperwork

Here is a checklist of the tasks you may be facing in the coming weeks:

Get organized. Locate and safeguard as many of the documents listed below (be sure to put each into in a designated set of file folders, and keep them within easy reach):

  • Birth certificate
  • Driver's License or State Identification Card
  • Passport (if applicable)
  • Marriage certificate
  • Divorce papers (if applicable)
  • Deeds and Titles to real and personal property
  • Veteran's Administration Claim Number (or service discharge papers)
  • Recent Income Tax Forms
  • W-2 forms (if employed)
  • Recent hospitalization records
  • Insurance documents: Life, Health, Automobile (there may be more than one policy in each category)

17 Things To Do After the Funeral

1. Before you do anything, get a notebook. You'll want to record the date and time of every phone conversation, email or postal communication; if you did it, write it down. Be sure to include the full name of the person you spoke to, their job title; and their employer identification or extension number.

2. Request certified copies of the Death Certificate. Speak with one of our funeral professionals to determine just how many you will require.

3. Check to see if deceased had left a will. This may require contacting the family attorney, checking your safe deposit box or home safe or the state Will Registry.

4. Get the mail redirected, if applicable. Visit the  United States Postal Service website  to learn more about how to submit a Change of Address form. Or stop by your local post office.

5. Stop health insurance coverage. You may need to provide them with additional information, so keep your relevant paperwork handy.

6. Contact employer or union. Determine if there are any death-related benefits available, ask (and answer) questions, and change any relevant contact information. 

7. Make sure to pay the bills. Some folks have their bills paid automatically, but if this isn't the case here, you'll need to take care of them before they become delinquent. If you fear delinquency, you may wish to speak with a representative to work out a payment plan.

8. Initiate probate. Even if you're not the executor, if you have an interest in the estate, it's possible for you initiate probate court proceedings (but only if the designated executor of the estate fails to do so in a timely way). You may want to find and hire an estate settlement attorney. 

9. Notify utility departments. Depending on the situation, the accounts may be closed, or the account owner's name and contact details changed.

10. Transfer title of real and personal property. Whether it's an automobile, boat, motorcycle, RV, or plane; you'll need to inform your state department of motor vehicles of the change in ownership. At the very same time, notify any related vehicular or personal property insurance companies of the change in status.

11. Close or modify credit card accounts. You will probably need to provide each of them with a certified copy of the death certificate. Again, keep that set of file folders handy.

12. Contact life insurance companies. Not everyone has life insurance; but some people have more than one policy. No matter how many policies were in force, you will probably need to provide each of them with a certified copy of the death certificate for each claim made.

13. Notify other policy holders of the change in "Beneficiary" status. If your loved one was a designated beneficiary on the insurance policies; investment or banking accounts of other individuals, then you'll need to notify them of the death of a beneficiary.

14. Arrange to close or modify bank accounts. Depending on your relationship to the deceased, you may be entitled to convert into your name.

15. Change stocks and bonds into your name. Again, this depends on your relationship status to the deceased. To do this, you'll need to provide certified copy of the death certificate to all organizations involved.

16. Report the death to other agencies. Depending on the age or military status of the deceased, you may need to notify either the Social Security Administration or the Veterans Administration (or both). Other agencies of interest include membership organizations (professional or avocational associations, Masonic lodges, Rotary Clubs, gym and golf course memberships –just to name a few).

17. Tend to their digital estate. If they were active on social media, you'll need to inform the specific networking sites of the change in status. You will need to close email accounts as well as any online banking portal or investment accounts. 

Do You Have Any Questions?

We've had the privilege of serving many families over the years, and during that time we've found that the time after the funeral is different for everyone involved. If we can be of assistance to you during this challenging time of change and adjustment, simply pick up the phone and call us. We'll do our very best to support you.

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