• Estate planning documents
• Property deeds
• Bank and brokerage account statements
• Insurance policies, annuities, and retirement accounts
• Recent income tax returns
• Birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decree, and military discharge paperwork
• The most recent bills, such as credit card, mortgage, and utility statements
• Vehicle titles and registrations
• Safe-deposit boxes and keys
• Usernames and login information for online accounts, like social media and online banking, which will need to be closed

Are You Eligible for Benefits?

Social Security. The funeral home will generally assist a surviving spouse or, in some cases, a child in applying for Social Security’s $255 death benefit. Social Security also needs notification to discontinue any benefits the deceased may have been receiving. Visit www.socialsecurity.gov for more information.

Veteran’s Administration. If your loved one was a veteran, visit www.va.gov/opa/persona to learn about burial and memorial benefits.

Life Insurance. You’ll need to determine whether your loved one owned any insurance policies. Contact the agent or the home office of the insurance company to file a claim. One method to determine if any policies may exist is to check bank records for any life insurance premiums paid in the last year or so.