Death To-Do List
Featured
> Master Condition List
> Federal Benefits List by Combined Ratings
> Insider Insight into VBA Claim Processing
> Rating Schedule Index
> Filing a VA Disability Claim
> Filing an Appeal

> Death/Survivor Benefits

> Education & Employment

> Health care

> Housing

> Miscellaneous

> VA Disability Compensation

> VA Pension

"Grief is the price we pay for love." - Queen Elizabeth II

While death is the end of one’s life it is merely the beginning of a gauntlet for those who must carry on in their absence. While it is important to go over this to-do list to help prevent over payments (debts) - if you need a few days to catch a breath and decompress before moving on, take them! Just try to get to it within a month of death.

Hopefully, death didn’t come suddenly and without warning like an ACME anvil from above - but even if it did you will be able to get through these difficult times.

YOU MATTER!

If you are looking up this information because you are considering harming yourself, KNOW that your FAMILY would MUCH rather have you with them than lose you.

If you need someone to talk to you can:

  • Click HERE to chat online;

  • Dial 988 then Press 1; or

  • Text 838255

Documents You May Need to Complete the To-Do List:

  • Social Security Card (deceased)

  • Marriage Certificate

  • Birth Certificate for each child, if applicable

  • Insurance Policies

  • Deed and Titles to Property

  • Bank Books

  • Discharge Papers for Veteran (DD214)

  • Recent Income Tax Forms and W-2 Forms

  • Automobile Title and Registration Papers

  • Loan and Installment Payment Books and/or Contracts

To-Do List

  • Look over the Veteran Death and Survivor benefit pages.

    • To learn about benefits both you and the Veteran are entitled to.

  • Obtain 10-15 copies of the Death Certificate.

    • The funeral home can help you or you can contact the vital records office (in the state death occurred).

  • Account for all ongoing bills. What bills were they responsible for and still need to be paid?

    • Car, house, utilities, etc.

      • IMPORTANT NOTE:

        • You are NOT required to accept the debt of the departed (if you are not party to the debt). Meaning if you did not co-sign things then the debt is (generally) owed just by the Veteran’s estate. So if they had a mountain of credit card debt you do NOT have to assume the debt!

  • If Veteran received VA Disability or Pension benefits:

    • Contact the VA at 1-800-827-1000.

  • If Veteran received Social Security benefits:

    • Contact your local Social Security office at 1-800-772-1213.

      • Surviving spouse, ask about your eligibility for increased benefits. Also, check on benefits that any minor children may be entitled to receive.

  • If Veteran retired from the military:

    • Contact Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) at 1-800-538-9552.

    • Contact Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) at 1-888-332-7411.

  • If Veteran retired or was working (employed when they died) from/at a Federal Civil Service job:

    • Contact the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) at 1-888-767-6738.

  • If Veteran was working:

    • Contact their employer for information on pension plans and any death benefits.

  • Contact their health insurance provider regarding terminating coverage for the deceased while continuing coverage for yourself/others covered through the policy.

  • Contact their life insurance compan(ies) for all their life insurance policies.

    • You will generally need to provide the policy number and a certified copy of the death certificate and fill out a claim form.

    • If the deceased is listed as the beneficiary on any other policy, arrange to have their name removed.

    • If the Veteran was enrolled in the Servicemember’s Group Life Insurance plan (SGLI), Veteran’s Group Life Insurance (VGLI), or Family SGLI (FSGLI) call the VA at 1-877-832-4943.

    • If the Veteran was enrolled in other VA policies such as Service-Disabled Veterans Insurance (S-DVI) and VALife call the VA at 1-800-669-8477.

  • Banking/Investments:

    • Change any joint bank accounts into just your name.

    • If the deceased's estate is in trust, check with the Trust Department or Customer Service at the bank.

    • Contact the banks/companies that held their investments to have assets transferred.

  • If the deceased owned a car, transfer the automobile title into your name at the Secretary of State's Office, or if the estate is probated, through Probate Court.

  • Seek the advice of an accountant or tax advisor about filing the deceased's tax return for the year of the death. Keep monthly bank statements on all individual and joint accounts that show the account balance on the day of death, since you will need this information for the estate tax return.

Frequently Asked Questions

    • A will does NOT override who is written as the policy’s beneficiary.