Keep these details in one place

Investigating agency and contact
Police department or sheriff's office, officer or investigator name
Coroner or medical examiner
Office handling the person's care, with a contact number from the agency
Funeral home
Chosen by the family; it often helps with death certificates
Property contact
Owner, landlord, property manager or HOA manager
Insurance
Property insurer, claim number and adjuster

Calls grouped by urgency

These groupings are a guide. Ask a friend or relative to take some of the calls.

Right away
911 if not already called. Close family. Someone to stay with you.
Within the first day or two
Funeral home of the family's choosing. Landlord or property manager if it is a rental. Employer of the person who died, if applicable. Anyone caring for children or dependents.
Once the home is released
Property insurer. Biohazard cleanup providers for quotes. A locksmith if keys are missing. Utility companies only if service must change; keeping power and heat on usually helps cleanup.
Within the first weeks
Social Security Administration (funeral homes often report the death). Banks and credit card companies. Life insurance. Pension or retirement plan administrators. The post office for mail forwarding to the estate representative.
When you are ready
An estate or probate attorney if needed. Credit bureaus to place a deceased notice. Subscriptions, memberships and online accounts.

Property and cleanup tasks to track

These are the items most connected to the home itself.

Common questions

How many death certificates should the family order?
Banks, insurers, pension plans and title transfers often each want a certified copy. Funeral homes can usually advise on a sensible number and help order more later.
Should utilities be shut off right away?
Usually not. Power, water and heat help with cleanup, protect pipes in Colorado winters and keep the home secure. Transfer accounts to the estate rather than cancelling them early.

General information for the Denver area, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.