Death of a spouse checklist: The first five things you should do

It takes an average of 500 hours over up to two years to wrap up the average estate. And when it is your spouse, you have to face the additional toll of having lost a life partner, often in the face of insensitive questions. Remember that the first and most important thing you should do is take the time you need to grieve, and mourn, the loss.

Below are the five most important tasks to complete in the wake of a spouse’s passing. This is not a comprehensive guide; for that, please visit our dashboard, or schedule time with our concierge service for specific concerns.

1. Collect and secure the most important documents: Will, marriage/birth certificates, financial accounts, advance directives, pre-paid funeral contracts, etc.

2. Secure death certificates: You will need 15-20 copies to complete every step of working through an estate.

3. Notify Social Security to collect a $255 benefit: Call 800-772-1213, or visit your local Social Security office.  You can also ask the funeral home you use for help.

4. Perform a credit check and freeze: Scammers browse obituaries and try to open accounts in the names of the deceased. For more on how to avoid identity theft, click here.

5. Tell close friends and family: While this can be a difficult conversation, it’s an important step on the path to growth. For help on what to say and how to say it, click here.