What to Do When a Loved One Dies: A Complete Guide to Next Steps

Losing a loved one is an overwhelming experience. Beyond grief, many administrative steps must be taken, often within strict deadlines. This guide presents the steps to follow, in order, to navigate this period with as much peace of mind as possible.

In the First Hours

Getting the Death Certified

If the death occurs at home, call the family doctor (or emergency services). They will issue the death certificate, an essential document for all subsequent steps.

If the death occurs in a hospital or care facility, the institution handles this directly.

Notifying Close Family

Inform immediate family quickly. If the deceased had an address book or phone directory, start there. While painful, this step allows funeral arrangements to be organized promptly.

Within 24 to 48 Hours

Registering the Death

The death must be registered within 24 hours at the town hall of the place of death (not the home address). You will need:

• The medical death certificate
• The deceased's ID (or family booklet)
• Your own ID

The town hall will issue the official death certificate, which you'll need in multiple copies.

Tip: request at least 10 copies of the death certificate — you'll need them for banks, pension providers, insurers, the notary, and more.

Choosing a Funeral Home

You have 6 days after the death to proceed with burial or cremation. If the deceased had a funeral insurance plan, contact the relevant provider — everything is generally pre-arranged.

Otherwise, compare several quotes (legally required). Prices vary considerably between providers.

In the First Week

Notifying Priority Organizations

Certain organizations must be informed quickly to avoid overpayments that would need to be reimbursed:

• Pension provider: to stop pension payments
• Social security and welfare agencies: for any benefits (housing assistance, allowances…)
• Health insurer and other insurance providers
• Employer, if the deceased was still working

Searching for a Will

Before opening the estate, check whether the deceased had written a will. It may be found:

• Among the deceased's personal belongings
• With a notary (consult the official will registry, accessible online or through a notary)
• In a bank safe deposit box

The existence of a will may change how the estate is distributed among heirs.

In the First Month

Contacting a Notary

A notary is required whenever the estate includes real estate. It is strongly recommended in all cases when the estate exceeds a modest amount.

The notary will:

• Establish the certificate of heirship (listing all heirs)
• Identify all assets and debts
• Calculate inheritance taxes
• Organize the distribution

You may choose your own notary freely. If heirs live in different cities, it is possible to work with corresponding notaries in each location.

Notifying Financial Institutions

Submit a death certificate to every bank where the deceased held an account. Accounts will be frozen pending settlement of the estate, except for funeral expenses (capped at €5,000 in France).

Also inquire about life insurance policies: these generally fall outside the estate and are paid directly to named beneficiaries.

Within the First Six Months

Deciding Whether to Accept or Renounce the Estate

Each heir has three options:

1. Full acceptance: you inherit both assets AND debts.
2. Acceptance up to net assets: you inherit assets without risking your own property for debts (but a notarized inventory is required within 2 months).
3. Renunciation: you inherit neither assets nor debts.

Deadline: 4 months to respond if asked. After 10 years without a response, you are considered to have fully accepted.

Filing the Estate Tax Return

The estate tax return must be filed within 6 months of the death (12 months if the death occurred abroad). It lists all assets and calculates the inheritance taxes owed.

Taxes must be paid at the same time as the return. Payment arrangements can sometimes be negotiated with the tax authority.

Dividing the Estate

Once the estate is open, the distribution phase begins. This is often the most delicate step, especially for personal property (furniture, objects, family mementos) which have both financial and sentimental value.

Taking an Inventory

Before any distribution, you need to establish what there is to divide. For personal property, this means visiting the home, photographing and describing each item.

Tools like Racine make it possible to conduct this inventory collaboratively, even when heirs are geographically dispersed. Each family member can view items and express their preferences from home.

For more on this step: How to Make an Estate Inventory.

Distributing Items Among Heirs

Several methods exist:

• Random draw: simple but not always fair if items have very different values
• Private bidding: each heir "buys" lots with a fictional budget
• Allocation algorithm: like Racine's, which automatically calculates the fairest distribution based on stated preferences

Signing the Distribution Agreement

Once an agreement is reached, the notary drafts the deed of partition that formalizes the division of real estate. For personal property, a private written agreement is generally sufficient.

Summary Timeline

Tips for Getting Through This Period

Seek support: don't face the administrative steps alone. Divide tasks among heirs based on each person's skills and availability.

Keep a written record: note every step you take, the names of your contacts, and dates. In case of later dispute, this information may be invaluable.

Anticipate tensions: dividing an estate is often a source of family conflict. For personal property especially, use transparent and objective methods.

Don't delay: some deadlines are strict (6 months for the tax return). Falling behind can result in penalties.

Further Reading

• Understanding the Inheritance Timeline: Key Steps and Deadlines
• How to Make an Estate Inventory
• How to Avoid Family Conflicts During Inheritance