What to Do When Someone Dies in California: 2026 Guide

Your phone keeps ringing. People keep asking questions. And somewhere between the shock and the tears, you realize there are things you need to do. But you're not sure where to start.

Losing someone you love already hurts enough. You shouldn't have to feel lost about what to do when someone dies in California. California has laws and steps you must follow, and this guide makes them clear.

This isn't a checklist to rush through. Take the time you need. We've put these steps in order so you can handle what's urgent now. You can plan for what comes next later. You don't have to figure this out alone.

The team at After knows how hard these moments feel. We help provide reliable direct cremation services in California. No pressure. No hidden fees. You can call us anytime, day or night, at 1-844-717-5170.

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First Steps When Death Occurs

The first hours after someone passes need quick action. These early steps protect your loved one and get things started.

Get Official Confirmation

A licensed doctor or coroner must say the death is official in California. Who you contact depends on where it happened:

• Hospital or nursing home staff handle this automatically
• Call 911 for deaths at home
• Contact the hospice nurse if they were in hospice care

This step starts the legal process. Save the name of the doctor or facility for later paperwork.

Notify Close Family

Call your closest family first. Start with the spouse, children, parents, and siblings. Make these calls yourself when you can. Ask someone to help tell extended family and close friends. This makes things easier and ensures people hear the news from someone they trust.

Contact a Cremation Provider

You need to arrange care quickly. You need a permit before you can bury or cremate someone. No cemetery or crematory will take a body without this permit.

California calls this a Permit for Disposition or Burial Permit. You get it from the registrar's office when you file the death certificate. Once you have the permit, you can move the body yourself. The cemetery needs to see this permit before burial can happen.

After provides immediate cremation services that make this simple. We handle transport in unmarked vans. We manage all the legal paperwork.

We deliver or ship the remains to you. Our Care Specialists guide you through each choice, with no pressure or hidden fees. Check our clear pricing for your area on our website.

You don't need to decide everything about a memorial right now. Focus on getting proper care first. You can plan meaningful arrangements later.

Within 24 Hours

The first day brings tasks that protect your loved one's property and start important notifications.

Secure Property and Documents

Lock the home. Change the locks if they lived alone. Park vehicles in a safe place. Gather valuable items and make a simple list. Collect important papers like wills, bank statements and insurance policies.

Put everything in a locked cabinet or safe. Find care for any pets right away.

Notify Their Employer

Contact the HR department or supervisor if your loved one had a job. Ask about final paychecks, life insurance, pension plans and retirement accounts. Return any company property, like laptops or phones. This helps you claim all the benefits they earned.

What to Do When Someone Dies in California: First Week Tasks

The days after a death need careful attention to paperwork. These affect legal and financial matters.

Obtain Death Certificates

California law requires filing the death certificate within 8 days. The funeral director or cremation provider usually does this. Ask for 5-10 certified copies. Banks, insurance companies and government agencies all need them.

As of 2026, expect to pay $26 per copy in California. County fees can vary slightly. You can order copies from the county recorder's office where the death happened.

Contact Social Security Administration

Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local Social Security office. Report the death to stop payments and ask about survivor benefits. The SSA gives a one-time death benefit of $255 to eligible spouses or dependent children.

Return any benefits received for the month of death or later. Bring the Social Security number, date of death and proof of your relationship.

Notify Financial Institutions

Contact every bank and investment firm where they had accounts. Bring certified death certificates. Bring papers showing you can act as the estate's representative. Ask them to freeze individual accounts.

This prevents unauthorized access. For joint accounts, ask about removing their name. Cancel or redirect automatic payments. Ask about loans, credit cards and safe deposit box access.

File Life Insurance Claims

Search personal records, safe deposit boxes and tax returns for policy papers. Contact each insurance company to start claims. Most insurers now let you file online.

Gather the original policy, certified death certificate, beneficiary ID and Social Security numbers. Payment usually arrives within several weeks to a few months.

First Few Weeks

As the first crisis passes, you begin to focus on managing ongoing services and starting estate work.

Cancel Services and Subscriptions

Make a list of all utilities, subscriptions and memberships. Call providers to cancel or transfer services. This includes electricity, gas, water, internet, cable, streaming services, magazines, gym memberships and any recurring deliveries. Keep confirmation numbers and write down who you spoke with.

Notify Government Agencies

Several agencies need to know about the death:

• California DMV: Cancel driver's license and vehicle registration
• County elections office: Remove from voter rolls
• U.S. Postal Service: Forward mail to the executor
• Department of Veterans Affairs: Ask about benefits if they served

Each agency needs specific papers. Have certified death certificates ready. Ask for written proof when you remove them from lists.

Locate the Will and Consult an Attorney

Search the home, safe deposit box, and attorney's office for the will. California law says you must file any will you find with the probate court.

Talk to an estate attorney about whether probate is needed. Estates worth under $208,850 may use simpler steps. The attorney helps you with California's property laws, creditor claims and giving out assets correctly.

Within the First Few Months

Settling an estate takes time. You need to manage finances carefully and follow legal rules.

Manage Outstanding Debts

Make a complete list of debts. Check bank statements and credit reports. Send a letter to each creditor with a death certificate copy. California law says certain debts come first, like taxes and funeral costs.

Work with your estate attorney to pay debts in the right order. Remember that family members don't have to pay debts unless they co-signed.

File Final Tax Returns

The executor must file a final income tax return. This covers January 1 to the date of death. If the estate earns more than $600 per year after death, file a separate estate tax return. California doesn't have state estate taxes. But large estates may face the federal estate tax.

Distribute Assets Per the Will

After paying debts and taxes, give out the remaining assets as the will says. If there's no will, California laws decide who inherits. Keep detailed records of everything you give out.

Get receipts from the people who receive items. Solve any disagreements before final distribution. File closing papers with the probate court to finish your job as executor.

California-Specific Considerations

California has unique laws that affect how estates are settled. Understanding these rules prevents costly mistakes.

California uses community property laws. This means spouses own marital assets equally. It affects what portion can be left in a will. The state offers simpler probate for estates under $208,850.

The Independent Administration of Estates Act lets executors handle many tasks without constant court oversight. This speeds things up.

Transfer on Death deeds let real estate pass to people without probate. But you must fill them out and file them correctly. California accepts typed wills with two witnesses. It also accepts handwritten wills if they meet certain rules. Notarization isn't required, but it helps prove the will is real.

These laws can be complex. Working with an attorney who knows California estate law protects you from legal problems. It ensures you follow all the rules.

How After Supports California Families

When you're learning what to do when someone dies in California, cremation offers benefits that traditional burial often can't match. More families choose cremation because it costs less. It gives you time to plan meaningful memorials. It removes the pressure of quick decisions.

After handles the entire cremation process with care and honesty. We provide 24/7 transport. We manage all legal paperwork. This includes death certificate filing and Social Security notification.

We deliver the remains within two weeks. Our packages include a simple scattering urn. Premium options are available. LilyPay offers payment plans over 3 or 6 months with a flat fee. They also have crowdfunding support through Community Gardens.

Our Care Specialists answer your questions honestly. No hidden fees. No sales pressure. We believe in making this process simple and affordable. We treat your loved one with complete dignity.

Note: After provides cremation services only. For legal or estate matters, talk to a qualified attorney or estate planner.

Do you have questions about what to do when someone dies in California? Not sure if cremation is right for you? We're here 24/7 to help you understand your options. No pressure. Just honest answers and care. Call After at 1-844-717-5170.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does the Cremation Process Take in California?

The cremation process takes about two weeks from start to finish in California. This includes transport, obtaining legal authorization, the cremation itself and delivery of the remains.

After handles all required paperwork and coordinates with county officials, so you don't have to navigate the legal requirements alone.

Do I Need a Lawyer to Settle an Estate in California?

You need a lawyer if the estate requires probate or involves complicated assets. Small estates valued under $208,850 may qualify for simpler procedures you can manage yourself.

A lawyer protects you from costly mistakes with California's property laws and ensures debts get paid in the right order.

What If My Loved One Didn't Have a Will?

If your loved one didn't have a will, California's intestate succession laws decide who inherits their property. Assets typically go to the surviving spouse first, then children, parents and siblings in that order.

Most estates still need to go through probate, and an estate attorney can guide you through the distribution process according to state law.

Can I Plan Cremation in Advance in California?

Yes, you can plan cremation in advance in California through providers like After. Pre-planning locks in today's pricing and completes paperwork in advance.

This relieves your family of the burden when they're grieving. You can explore your options on our pre-planning page.

What Veterans Benefits Are Available in California?

Veterans' benefits in California include up to $978 for burial expenses and $978 for a plot for non-service-connected deaths. For service-related deaths, the VA provides up to $2,000. Call 1-800-827-1000 to ask about specific benefits for your loved one.