PathAfter FAQ
Practical and immediate
Focused answers for people handling the first days, paperwork, and follow-up steps after a death in California.
Start checklistCore after-death questions
Who do I notify when someone dies?In the first 24–72 hours: Social Security, employer or pension plan, life insurance companies, banks (to flag the account), and close family. In the first week: DMV, subscription services, utilities if the home will close, voter registration (optional but good practice), and…How do I stop their mail?File a USPS mail forwarding request or a hold request online at usps.com. Forward mail to the executor's address so bills and important documents are not missed.How do I cancel their subscriptions?Check bank and credit card statements for recurring charges. Call or email to cancel. Many subscriptions require a death certificate — have scans ready. Services like Privacy.com can help identify recurring charges if you have card access.How do I close their email account?Gmail: Google has an inactive account policy but family members can request content through the Inactive Account Manager process or a legal request. Apple: requires a court order. Most email providers require legal documentation for family access.How do I get their belongings from a hospital or care facility?Call the facility and ask who handles personal belongings for deceased patients. Bring ID and, in some cases, a death certificate. Ask them to inventory the belongings before you pick them up — document what you receive.How do I get their belongings from a jail or prison?Contact the facility's property officer. You will typically need a death certificate, your ID, and in some cases documentation of your relationship. Some facilities mail belongings; others require in-person pickup.How do I cancel their driver's license?Notify the California DMV. You can do this in person or by mail with a death certificate. This helps prevent identity theft.How do I remove them from the voter rolls?Contact your county elections office. In California, the county registrar of voters typically removes deceased registrants automatically through vital records — but you can also notify them directly.How do I notify the IRS?File a final tax return. If you are the surviving spouse, file jointly for the year of death. Write "Deceased" and the date of death across the top. If you are not the spouse, you may need IRS Form 56 (Notice Concerning…How do I deal with their phone?Contact the carrier to cancel or transfer service. If you need the phone for account recovery (two-factor authentication), do this carefully — change important accounts first, then cancel. Some carriers will not provide access to a deceased person's device without a court…How do I get into their phone if it's locked?You cannot legally force a phone manufacturer to unlock a device. Apple and Google require a court order for family access. If you need it for account recovery, contact the carrier about the SIM and focus on recovering accounts by other means…What do I do with their prescriptions?Return unused controlled substances to a DEA-authorized take-back location (many pharmacies, police stations). Do not flush them. Other medications can be returned to pharmacies that accept them or disposed of with coffee grounds/kitty litter in a sealed bag.What do I do with their clothes and belongings?There is no legal timeline. Take time. Donate, keep, or sell when you are ready — not because someone is pressuring you. Most grief counselors say to wait at least a few months before clearing major belongings.How do I deal with identity theft after a death?Place a deceased alert with all three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). Send each a copy of the death certificate. Cancel government IDs. Monitor credit reports for 12 months after death. Identity theft of deceased people is common.What is a death notice vs. an obituary?A death notice is a paid announcement placed in a newspaper — typically short and factual. An obituary is a longer tribute, sometimes written by the family or newspaper. Neither is required. Costs vary widely; ask the newspaper for pricing before committing.How do I write an obituary?Include: full name, age, date and place of death, survivors, any services planned, and where donations may be made in their memory. Keep it factual and personal. Many funeral homes offer obituary writing assistance.Do I have to have a funeral?No. There is no legal requirement for a funeral service in California. You must arrange for disposition of the body (burial or cremation), but a public service is optional. A private or no-service cremation is a legal choice.How do I plan a funeral on a very tight budget?Direct cremation is the lowest-cost option. Ask for itemized pricing — the FTC Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to give it to you. Compare at least two providers. Ask about payment plans. The Neptune Society and similar providers offer prepaid plans, but…How do I handle a funeral when the family disagrees?Legal authority goes to next of kin in order of priority. If there is a legal dispute, a court can decide. In practice, try to separate immediate decisions (disposition) from memorial decisions (service) — those can wait longer.What if I'm far away and can't get there immediately?Call the hospital, coroner, or funeral home by phone. They can hold the body with refrigeration while you travel. You do not need to be physically present immediately — make phone contact and get a plan in place.