When someone dies, everything is suddenly different. People search for what happens after a death, what to do in the first 72 hours, or who needs to be notified when someone dies because they suddenly need clear, practical guidance – fast.
This guide walks you through what usually happens in the first three days after a death, what needs to be done immediately, what can wait, and where people most often get stuck. We’ve written this for those who have never been in this situation before so you don’t need to worry about getting overwhelmed!
It’s okay to be overwhelmed
In the first days after a death, the goal is not to solve everything, but to make a few essential decisions and avoid unnecessary stress.
We really want to stress this: It is ABSOLUTELY normal and okay to feel a lot of different emotions in this moment all at once. No matter how well you or your loved ones are prepared, when the moment comes, everyone deals with the situation in their own way.
Most people assume they need to “take care of everything” right away. In reality, only a small number of steps are time-critical. Many others can wait until things have settled a bit.
The problem is that grief and uncertainty often make it hard to tell when that’s the case. That’s why the first 72 hours often feel chaotic even when people are trying their best.
Check out our full step-by-step end-of-life planning guide so you get a better idea of what you might or might not prepare.
Confirming the death and understanding who is responsible
The first step is confirming the death and knowing which authority or professional needs to be involved.
If a person dies at home, a medical professional usually needs to confirm the death. In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, this is typically done by a doctor who issues a death certificate. In the UK or the US, procedures vary by state or region, but medical confirmation is still required before anything else can happen.
If the death occurs in a hospital or care facility, staff will usually handle this step and guide you through what comes next. This is one of the moments where having written wishes or stored information makes a real difference.
With Meolea, important documents and instructions can be stored in one place so relatives don’t have to search for paperwork during an already stressful moment.
💡 Practical tip:
If the person died at home and it’s outside regular office hours, confirmation can take longer than expected. If you can, have basic personal information ready in written form (full name, date of birth, address). It often speeds things up.
Informing close family and choosing who coordinates
One person should coordinate communication to avoid confusion and repeated emotional strain.
Once the death is confirmed, close family or trusted people should be informed. This is not a legal step, but it quickly becomes a practical one.
What often helps is agreeing early on who will coordinate things. This does not mean making one person responsible for everything. It simply means having one point of contact who knows what has already been done and what still needs attention.
Without this, families often duplicate calls, miss information, or unintentionally put pressure on each other.
This is also where having written notes, contact lists, or stored instructions can save time. When information is scattered across emails, folders, and phones, simple questions can take hours to answer.
With Meolea, people can appoint legacy contacts in one place, so relatives don’t have to piece things together under time pressure.
What needs to be decided quickly
Only a few decisions are urgent; many can wait several days without consequences.
Within the first 72 hours, the most common time-sensitive topics are:
- temporary care of the body (especially if the death occurred at home)
- contacting a funeral service or equivalent provider
- securing the home and personal belongings
In many countries, a funeral service or similar provider needs to be contacted within the first couple of days. This does not mean that all details must be decided immediately, but initial arrangements are usually required.
Check out our guide to making your funeral wishes legally binding for some tips!
If the death happened at home, the transfer of the body needs to be organized. If the person lived alone, the home should be secured. If pets are involved, someone needs to take care of them.
Other things—like estate matters, insurance claims, or account cancellations—do not need to be handled immediately, even though many people feel pressured to do so. One of the most common mistakes is trying to “be productive” instead of allowing time to process what has happened.
💡 Practical tip:
Before leaving the house, take the deceased person’s ID and any medical documents you can easily find. In many cases, these are requested earlier than people expect.
What does not need to be done immediately
A common source of stress is the assumption that administrative and legal matters must be handled right away. In most cases, this is not true.
Bank accounts, insurance claims, subscriptions, and estates can usually wait days or even weeks. Trying to deal with them immediately often leads to confusion, because documents or access rights are not yet clear.
Death registration with the registry office has deadlines, but they are not measured in hours. The medical professional who confirmed the death – usually the family physician – will also be able to give you information on ne nearest office.
If someone pressures you to “take care of everything now,” it is usually safe to slow things down and verify what is actually required.
Digital access becomes relevant sooner than expected
Phones, email accounts, and online calendars often become relevant within the first days.
A phone may be needed to notify contacts. Emails may contain information about appointments, payments, or ongoing responsibilities. Family members often discover that important information exists only digitally.
Without prior planning, it is often unclear what can be accessed and what should not be touched. This uncertainty causes delays and frustration.
Meolea allows users to document digital access wishes and instructions in advance, so relatives know what they are allowed to do and where to look.
Example: a common situation
A woman in her early 40s loses her partner unexpectedly. He had “everything sorted,” but no one knew where. His phone was locked, his emails inaccessible, and important documents were spread across multiple places.
The funeral arrangements were manageable. What took time was finding basic information: insurance details, work contacts, and upcoming obligations.
Nothing was intentionally hidden. It just wasn’t centralized.
This is the situation Meolea is designed for: one place where information, documents, and instructions are stored and shared with the right people.
You don’t need to do this alone
The first 72 hours are easier when information, wishes, and responsibilities are already clear.
What most people really need in the first days after a death is not more tasks—but fewer open questions. Knowing where information is stored, who is responsible for what, and what the deceased wanted can make an enormous difference.
With Meolea, you can prepare exactly for this moment: documents, contacts, instructions, and wishes in one secure place, accessible to the people who matter. Set up once, and it’s there when it’s needed.
If you want to make things easier for your loved ones, now is a good time to start.
❤️ Create your Meolea account today and organize what truly matters—clearly, calmly, and on your own terms.
FAQ
What are the most important steps in the first 72 hours after a death?
Confirming the death, informing close family, arranging initial funeral steps, and securing the home are usually the most time-sensitive tasks.
Do I need to contact a lawyer immediately?
In most cases, no. Legal and estate matters can usually wait until after the first days.
Are procedures the same everywhere?
No. Rules differ between countries and regions. Always follow local regulations.
What documents are usually needed early?
An ID and medical death certificate are commonly required. Other documents can often be gathered later.
How can I prepare my family for this situation?
By organizing information, documents, and access instructions in one place and making sure the right people know where to find them.
Meolea makes End-of-Life Planning and Legacy Management super simple! In 5 minutes you can start making preparations and invite your family members.