Aftercare & Settling Affairs
Our care doesn’t end at the service. Here’s a gentle guide to what comes next — and a family ready to help you through it.
Call (801) 363-5781You don’t have to figure it out alone
In the weeks after a loss, families face a long list of practical tasks — paperwork, accounts, benefits, and decisions — often while still deep in grief. This guide lays out what to do and roughly when, and your Larkin funeral director is always a phone call away to help you make sense of it.
In the first days
- Order certified death certificates. You’ll need several originals for banks, insurers, and agencies — we help you order the right number.
- Secure the home and property. Collect mail, care for pets and plants, and keep the residence safe.
- Locate important documents. The will or trust, insurance policies, military discharge papers, deeds, and account information.
- Notify close family, employer, and clergy. Let those who need to know hear it personally.
In the first weeks
- Notify the Social Security Administration. Survivors may be eligible for benefits; report the death and ask what applies to your family.
- Contact employers and pension plans. Ask about final pay, retirement accounts, and any life insurance through work.
- File life insurance claims. Reach out to each insurer with a certified death certificate and the policy details.
- Notify banks and financial institutions. Checking, savings, credit cards, loans, and investment accounts.
- For veterans: ask about burial benefits, honors, and a government marker — see our caring for a veteran page.
Settling the estate
- Identify the executor or trustee. This is the person named to carry out the estate’s affairs.
- Understand whether probate is needed. Whether and how an estate goes through probate depends on how assets are held — an attorney can advise on your situation.
- Transfer titles and update beneficiaries. Property, vehicles, and accounts may need to be retitled.
- Address final taxes. A final income tax return is generally required; a tax professional can guide you.
- Close or transfer accounts. Utilities, subscriptions, memberships, and online accounts.
Please note: This page offers general guidance only — it is not legal, financial, or tax advice. Laws and benefits vary and change over time. For decisions about probate, taxes, or an estate, please consult a qualified attorney or financial professional. We’re glad to point you toward trusted local resources.
Care that continues
Grief doesn’t follow a checklist. Long after the paperwork is done, Larkin is still here — with support, community, and a family that remembers.
Have a question about what comes next?
Whether it’s paperwork, benefits, or simply where to start, our family is here to help — with no pressure and no obligation.
Talk With Our FamilyOr call us anytime at (801) 363-5781.