Life Is Temporary · Family checklist · lifeistemporary.com/family-checklist/
Home · A death has occurred · Family checklist
One list the whole family can share.
The steps from the guide, for the family to divide between them. Tick what is done, write who is doing each step, and add a short note if it helps. Then send the link to the family.
This list lives in the link.
When you change something, send the new link to the family. There are no accounts and nothing is stored on our website: each link is a snapshot of the list at the moment it was sent. If two people change it at once, the newest link does not have the other’s changes, so agree who sends the updates.
Names and notes are inside the link. Anyone who has the link can read them, and so can the app you send it with. Write first names and short notes only: no phone numbers, addresses, account numbers or anything private.
The first hours
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Have the death pronounced
Who: ________________
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Close the eyes, cover the body, make duʿā
Who: ________________
-
In the first few hours · In the guide: Call the masjid’s funeral committee
Who: ________________
-
If the death was sudden · In the guide: Ask whether a coroner is involved
Who: ________________
The janazah
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Choose a funeral home that allows ghusl
Who: ________________
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Wash and shroud the body
Who: ________________
-
As soon as possible · In the guide: The janazah prayer and the burial
Who: ________________
The paperwork
-
In the first week · In the guide: Get copies of the death certificate
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Pay the funeral costs and list every debt
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Find the will, and tell Social Security
Who: ________________
-
In the months after · In the guide: Settle and divide the estate
Who: ________________
The days after
-
Four months and ten days · In the guide: Look after the family
Who: ________________
The first hours
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Have the death confirmed
Who: ________________
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Close the eyes, cover the body, make duʿā
Who: ________________
-
In the first few hours · In the guide: Call the mosque’s funeral service
Who: ________________
-
In the first days · In the guide: The medical examiner checks the cause of death
Who: ________________
-
If the death was sudden · In the guide: Ask whether the coroner is involved
Who: ________________
The janazah
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Arrange the funeral service and the grave
Who: ________________
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Wash and shroud the body
Who: ________________
-
As soon as possible · In the guide: The janazah prayer and the burial
Who: ________________
The paperwork
-
Once the medical examiner confirms · In the guide: Register the death within 5 days
Who: ________________
-
In the first week · In the guide: Get copies of the death certificate
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Pay the funeral costs and list every debt
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Find the will, and use Tell Us Once
Who: ________________
-
In the months after · In the guide: Settle and divide the estate
Who: ________________
The days after
-
Four months and ten days · In the guide: Look after the family
Who: ________________
The first hours
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Have the death pronounced
Who: ________________
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Close the eyes, cover the body, make duʿā
Who: ________________
-
In the first few hours · In the guide: Call the masjid’s funeral committee
Who: ________________
-
If the death was sudden · In the guide: Ask whether a coroner or medical examiner is involved
Who: ________________
The janazah
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Choose a funeral home that allows ghusl
Who: ________________
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Wash and shroud the body
Who: ________________
-
As soon as possible · In the guide: The janazah prayer and the burial
Who: ________________
The paperwork
-
Within the first days · In the guide: Register the death and get the burial permit
Who: ________________
-
In the first week · In the guide: Get copies of the death certificate
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Pay the funeral costs and list every debt
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Find the will, and tell Service Canada
Who: ________________
-
In the months after · In the guide: Settle and divide the estate
Who: ________________
The days after
-
Four months and ten days · In the guide: Look after the family
Who: ________________
The first hours
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Have the death confirmed
Who: ________________
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Close the eyes, cover the body, make duʿā
Who: ________________
-
In the first few hours · In the guide: Call the mosque’s funeral service
Who: ________________
-
In the first day · In the guide: The doctor certifies the cause of death
Who: ________________
-
If the death was sudden · In the guide: Ask whether the coroner is involved
Who: ________________
The janazah
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Arrange the funeral service and the grave
Who: ________________
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Wash and shroud the body
Who: ________________
-
As soon as possible · In the guide: The janazah prayer and the burial
Who: ________________
The paperwork
-
Usually after the burial · In the guide: Register the death
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Get copies of the death certificate
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Pay the funeral costs and list every debt
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Find the will, and tell Services Australia
Who: ________________
-
In the months after · In the guide: Settle and divide the estate
Who: ________________
The days after
-
Four months and ten days · In the guide: Look after the family
Who: ________________
The first hours
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Have the death confirmed
Who: ________________
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Close the eyes, cover the body, make duʿā
Who: ________________
-
In the first few hours · In the guide: Call the mosque’s funeral service
Who: ________________
-
If the death was sudden or violent · In the guide: Ask whether the prosecutor is involved
Who: ________________
The janazah
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Choose the funeral company and the grave
Who: ________________
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Wash and shroud the body
Who: ________________
-
As soon as possible · In the guide: The janazah prayer and the burial
Who: ________________
-
Before the coffin is closed · In the guide: If the burial will be abroad
Who: ________________
The paperwork
-
As soon as possible · In the guide: Declare the death at the town hall
Who: ________________
-
In the first week · In the guide: Get copies of the death record
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Pay the funeral costs and list every debt
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Find the will, and claim the death benefit
Who: ________________
-
In the months after · In the guide: Settle and divide the estate
Who: ________________
The days after
-
Four months and ten days · In the guide: Look after the family
Who: ________________
The first hours
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Have the death confirmed
Who: ________________
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Close the eyes, cover the body, make duʿā
Who: ________________
-
In the first few hours · In the guide: Call the mosque’s funeral service
Who: ________________
-
If the death was sudden or violent · In the guide: Ask whether the coroner is involved
Who: ________________
The janazah
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Choose the funeral director and the grave
Who: ________________
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Wash and shroud the body
Who: ________________
-
As soon as possible · In the guide: The janazah prayer and the burial
Who: ________________
-
Before the coffin is closed · In the guide: If the burial will be abroad
Who: ________________
The paperwork
-
Within 3 months · In the guide: Register the death
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Get copies of the death certificate
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Pay the funeral costs and list every debt
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Find the will, and tell Social Protection
Who: ________________
-
In the months after · In the guide: Settle and divide the estate
Who: ________________
The days after
-
Four months and ten days · In the guide: Look after the family
Who: ________________
The first hours
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Have the death confirmed
Who: ________________
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Close the eyes, cover the body, make duʿā
Who: ________________
-
In the first few hours · In the guide: Call the mosque’s funeral service
Who: ________________
-
If the death was sudden · In the guide: Ask whether the coroner is involved
Who: ________________
The janazah
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Choose the funeral director and the grave
Who: ________________
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Wash and shroud the body
Who: ________________
-
As soon as possible · In the guide: The janazah prayer and the burial
Who: ________________
-
Before the coffin is closed · In the guide: If the burial will be abroad
Who: ________________
The paperwork
-
Within 3 working days of the burial · In the guide: Register the death
Who: ________________
-
After the funeral · In the guide: Get copies of the death certificate
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Pay the funeral costs and list every debt
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Find the will, and tell the government
Who: ________________
-
In the months after · In the guide: Settle and divide the estate
Who: ________________
The days after
-
Four months and ten days · In the guide: Look after the family
Who: ________________
The first hours
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Have the death confirmed
Who: ________________
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Close the eyes, cover the body, make duʿā
Who: ________________
-
In the first few hours · In the guide: Call the mosque or the Muslim burial society
Who: ________________
-
If the death was violent or sudden · In the guide: If the death was not natural
Who: ________________
The janazah
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Choose the funeral undertaker and the grave
Who: ________________
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Wash and shroud the body
Who: ________________
-
As soon as possible · In the guide: The janazah prayer and the burial
Who: ________________
-
Before the coffin is closed · In the guide: If the burial will be abroad
Who: ________________
The paperwork
-
Within 72 hours · In the guide: Give notice of the death at Home Affairs
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Get copies of the death certificate
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Pay the funeral costs and list every debt
Who: ________________
-
Within 14 days · In the guide: Find the will, and report the estate to the Master
Who: ________________
-
In the months after · In the guide: Settle and divide the estate
Who: ________________
The days after
-
Four months and ten days · In the guide: Look after the family
Who: ________________
The first hours
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Have the death confirmed
Who: ________________
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Close the eyes, cover the body, make duʿā
Who: ________________
-
In the first few hours · In the guide: Call the mosque’s funeral service
Who: ________________
-
If the death was sudden or violent · In the guide: Ask whether the prosecutor is involved
Who: ________________
The janazah
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Choose the funeral company and the grave
Who: ________________
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Wash and shroud the body
Who: ________________
-
As soon as possible · In the guide: The janazah prayer and the burial
Who: ________________
-
Before the coffin is closed · In the guide: If the burial will be abroad
Who: ________________
The paperwork
-
By the third working day · In the guide: Register the death at the Standesamt
Who: ________________
-
In the first week · In the guide: Get copies of the death certificate
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Pay the funeral costs and list every debt
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Find the will, and claim the pension advance
Who: ________________
-
In the months after · In the guide: Settle and divide the estate
Who: ________________
The days after
-
Four months and ten days · In the guide: Look after the family
Who: ________________
The first hours
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Have the death confirmed
Who: ________________
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Close the eyes, cover the body, make duʿā
Who: ________________
-
In the first few hours · In the guide: Call the mosque’s funeral service
Who: ________________
-
If the death was sudden or violent · In the guide: Ask whether the prosecutor is involved
Who: ________________
The janazah
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Choose the funeral company and the grave
Who: ________________
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Wash and shroud the body
Who: ________________
-
As soon as possible · In the guide: The janazah prayer and the burial
Who: ________________
-
Before the coffin is closed · In the guide: If the burial will be abroad
Who: ________________
The paperwork
-
By the next working day · In the guide: Register the death at the Standesamt
Who: ________________
-
In the first week · In the guide: Get copies of the death certificate
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Pay the funeral costs and list every debt
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Find the will
Who: ________________
-
In the months after · In the guide: Settle and divide the estate
Who: ________________
The days after
-
Four months and ten days · In the guide: Look after the family
Who: ________________
The first hours
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Have the death confirmed
Who: ________________
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Close the eyes, cover the body, make duʿā
Who: ________________
-
In the first few hours · In the guide: Call the mosque’s funeral service
Who: ________________
-
If the death was sudden or violent · In the guide: Ask whether the prosecutor is involved
Who: ________________
The janazah
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Choose the funeral service and the grave
Who: ________________
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Wash and shroud the body
Who: ________________
-
As soon as possible · In the guide: The janazah prayer and the burial
Who: ________________
-
Before the coffin is closed · In the guide: If the burial will be abroad
Who: ________________
The paperwork
-
Within two days · In the guide: Report the death to the Zivilstandsamt
Who: ________________
-
In the first week · In the guide: Get copies of the death certificate
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Pay the funeral costs and list every debt
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Find the will, and claim the survivors’ pension
Who: ________________
-
In the months after · In the guide: Settle and divide the estate
Who: ________________
The days after
-
Four months and ten days · In the guide: Look after the family
Who: ________________
The first hours
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Have the death confirmed
Who: ________________
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Close the eyes, cover the body, make duʿā
Who: ________________
-
In the first few hours · In the guide: Call a Muslim funeral company
Who: ________________
-
If the death was sudden or violent · In the guide: Ask whether the prosecutor is involved
Who: ________________
The janazah
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Choose the funeral company and the grave
Who: ________________
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Wash and shroud the body
Who: ________________
-
As soon as possible · In the guide: The janazah prayer and the burial
Who: ________________
-
Before the coffin is closed · In the guide: If the burial will be abroad
Who: ________________
The paperwork
-
Before the burial · In the guide: Register the death at the gemeente
Who: ________________
-
In the first week · In the guide: Get copies of the death record
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Pay the funeral costs and list every debt
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Find the will, and claim the death payment
Who: ________________
-
In the months after · In the guide: Settle and divide the estate
Who: ________________
The days after
-
Four months and ten days · In the guide: Look after the family
Who: ________________
The first hours
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Have the death confirmed
Who: ________________
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Close the eyes, cover the body, make duʿā
Who: ________________
-
In the first few hours · In the guide: Call the mosque’s funeral service
Who: ________________
-
If the death was sudden or violent · In the guide: Ask whether the prosecutor is involved
Who: ________________
The janazah
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Choose the funeral company and the grave
Who: ________________
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Wash and shroud the body
Who: ________________
-
As soon as possible · In the guide: The janazah prayer and the burial
Who: ________________
-
Before the coffin is closed · In the guide: If the burial will be abroad
Who: ________________
The paperwork
-
As soon as possible · In the guide: Declare the death at the commune
Who: ________________
-
In the first week · In the guide: Get copies of the death record
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Pay the funeral costs and list every debt
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Find the will, and claim any benefits
Who: ________________
-
In the months after · In the guide: Settle and divide the estate
Who: ________________
The days after
-
Four months and ten days · In the guide: Look after the family
Who: ________________
The first hours
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Have the death confirmed
Who: ________________
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Close the eyes, cover the body, make duʿā
Who: ________________
-
In the first few hours · In the guide: Call the mosque’s funeral service
Who: ________________
-
If the death was sudden or violent · In the guide: Ask whether the duty court is involved
Who: ________________
The janazah
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Choose the funeral company and the grave
Who: ________________
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Wash and shroud the body
Who: ________________
-
As soon as possible · In the guide: The janazah prayer and the burial
Who: ________________
-
Before the coffin is closed · In the guide: If the burial will be abroad
Who: ________________
The paperwork
-
As soon as possible · In the guide: Register the death at the Civil Registry
Who: ________________
-
In the first week · In the guide: Get death certificates
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Pay the funeral costs and list every debt
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Find the will, and claim the death grant
Who: ________________
-
In the months after · In the guide: Settle and divide the estate
Who: ________________
The days after
-
Four months and ten days · In the guide: Look after the family
Who: ________________
The first hours
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Have the death confirmed
Who: ________________
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Close the eyes, cover the body, make duʿā
Who: ________________
-
In the first few hours · In the guide: Call the mosque’s funeral service
Who: ________________
-
If the death was sudden or violent · In the guide: Ask whether there will be a forensic autopsy
Who: ________________
The janazah
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Choose the funeral company and the grave
Who: ________________
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Wash and shroud the body
Who: ________________
-
As soon as possible · In the guide: The janazah prayer and the burial
Who: ________________
-
Before the coffin is closed · In the guide: If the burial will be abroad
Who: ________________
The paperwork
-
Within 48 hours · In the guide: Declare the death within 48 hours
Who: ________________
-
In the first week · In the guide: Get death certificates
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Pay the funeral costs and list every debt
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Find the will, and claim the death benefits
Who: ________________
-
In the months after · In the guide: Settle and divide the estate
Who: ________________
The days after
-
Four months and ten days · In the guide: Look after the family
Who: ________________
The first hours
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Have the death confirmed
Who: ________________
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Close the eyes, cover the body, make duʿā
Who: ________________
-
In the first few hours · In the guide: Call the mosque’s funeral service
Who: ________________
-
If the death was sudden or violent · In the guide: Ask whether the prosecutor is involved
Who: ________________
The janazah
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Choose the funeral company and the grave
Who: ________________
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Wash and shroud the body
Who: ________________
-
As soon as possible · In the guide: The janazah prayer and the burial
Who: ________________
-
Before the coffin is closed · In the guide: If the burial will be abroad
Who: ________________
The paperwork
-
Within 24 hours · In the guide: Declare the death to the comune
Who: ________________
-
In the first week · In the guide: Get death certificates
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Pay the funeral costs and list every debt
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Find the will
Who: ________________
-
In the months after · In the guide: Settle and divide the estate
Who: ________________
The days after
-
Four months and ten days · In the guide: Look after the family
Who: ________________
The first hours
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Have the death confirmed
Who: ________________
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Close the eyes, cover the body, make duʿā
Who: ________________
-
In the first few hours · In the guide: Call the mosque’s funeral service
Who: ________________
-
If the death was sudden or violent · In the guide: Ask whether the police are involved
Who: ________________
The janazah
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Choose the funeral company and the grave
Who: ________________
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Wash and shroud the body
Who: ________________
-
As soon as possible · In the guide: The janazah prayer and the burial
Who: ________________
-
Before the coffin is closed · In the guide: If the burial will be abroad
Who: ________________
The paperwork
-
Usually within a day or two · In the guide: The death is registered by Skatteverket
Who: ________________
-
In the first week · In the guide: Get a death certificate for the estate
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Pay the funeral costs and list every debt
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Find the will
Who: ________________
-
In the months after · In the guide: Settle and divide the estate
Who: ________________
The days after
-
Four months and ten days · In the guide: Look after the family
Who: ________________
The first hours
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Have the death confirmed
Who: ________________
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Close the eyes, cover the body, make duʿā
Who: ________________
-
In the first few hours · In the guide: Call the mosque’s funeral service
Who: ________________
-
If the death was sudden or violent · In the guide: Ask whether the police are involved
Who: ________________
The janazah
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Choose the funeral company and the grave
Who: ________________
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Wash and shroud the body
Who: ________________
-
As soon as possible · In the guide: The janazah prayer and the burial
Who: ________________
-
Before the coffin is closed · In the guide: If the burial will be abroad
Who: ________________
The paperwork
-
In the first days · In the guide: The death is registered by the doctor
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Get the probate certificate
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Pay the funeral costs and list every debt
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Find the will
Who: ________________
-
In the months after · In the guide: Settle and divide the estate
Who: ________________
The days after
-
Four months and ten days · In the guide: Look after the family
Who: ________________
The first hours
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Have the death confirmed
Who: ________________
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Close the eyes, cover the body, make duʿā
Who: ________________
-
In the first few hours · In the guide: Call the mosque’s funeral service
Who: ________________
-
If the death was sudden or violent · In the guide: Ask whether the police are involved
Who: ________________
The janazah
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Choose the funeral director and the grave
Who: ________________
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Wash and shroud the body
Who: ________________
-
As soon as possible · In the guide: The janazah prayer and the burial
Who: ________________
-
Before the coffin is closed · In the guide: If the burial will be abroad
Who: ________________
The paperwork
-
In the first days · In the guide: Request the burial on borger.dk
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Get the probate court certificate
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Pay the funeral costs and list every debt
Who: ________________
-
In the first weeks · In the guide: Find the will
Who: ________________
-
In the months after · In the guide: Settle and divide the estate
Who: ________________
The days after
-
Four months and ten days · In the guide: Look after the family
Who: ________________
The first hours
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Have the death confirmed
Who: ________________
-
In the first hour · In the guide: Close the eyes, cover the body, make duʿā
Who: ________________
-
In the first few hours · In the guide: Call the mosque’s funeral service
Who: ________________
-
If the death was sudden or violent · In the guide: Ask whether the police are involved
Who: ________________
The janazah
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Choose the funeral company and the grave
Who: ________________
-
Within the first day · In the guide: Wash and shroud the body
Who: ________________
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As soon as possible · In the guide: The janazah prayer and the burial
Who: ________________
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Before the coffin is closed · In the guide: If the burial will be abroad
Who: ________________
The paperwork
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In the first days · In the guide: The death is registered automatically
Who: ________________
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In the first week · In the guide: Get the family-relations certificate
Who: ________________
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In the first weeks · In the guide: Pay the funeral costs and list every debt
Who: ________________
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In the first weeks · In the guide: Find the will
Who: ________________
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In the months after · In the guide: Settle and divide the estate
Who: ________________
The days after
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Four months and ten days · In the guide: Look after the family
Who: ________________
General guidance, not a fatwa or legal advice. Each step is explained, with its sources, at lifeistemporary.com/when-someone-dies/.
General guidance, not a fatwa or legal advice. Each step is explained, with its sources, in the guide. For one person settling the estate, the after-death tracker lists every task and stays in one browser.