Government agencies
Social Security Administration
Report a death, apply for survivor benefits, understand the lump-sum death payment, and manage ongoing benefit changes for a surviving spouse or dependents.
ssa.gov →IRS — Estate & Gift Tax
Federal estate tax rules, Form 706 filing requirements, portability elections, and guidance on the step-up in basis for inherited assets.
irs.gov →Medicare — Death & Benefits
Cancel Medicare coverage after a death, understand how Medicare coordinates with Medicaid for long-term care, and report changes in coverage status.
medicare.gov →Department of Veterans Affairs
Burial benefits, survivor pension programs, dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC), and national cemetery scheduling for veterans and their families.
va.gov →USA.gov — Death of a Loved One
A government-curated checklist of federal agency notifications required after a death — Social Security, Medicare, the Postal Service, passport cancellation, and more.
usa.gov →PBGC — Pension Survivor Benefits
The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation insures defined benefit pension plans. If the deceased had a pension, PBGC may be responsible for ongoing survivor payments.
pbgc.gov →Legal & financial planning
American Bar Association — Public Resources
Plain-language guides to estate planning, probate basics, and finding a qualified estate planning attorney. Includes a lawyer referral service directory by state.
americanbar.org →Legal Services Corporation
Free or low-cost civil legal aid for income-eligible individuals. LSC-funded programs can assist with probate, benefits claims, and estate matters for those who can't afford an attorney.
lsc.gov →CFP Board — Find a Planner
Search for a Certified Financial Planner who specializes in estate planning. The CFP Board's directory lets you verify credentials and find fee-only advisors.
cfp.net →FINRA BrokerCheck
Verify the background and registration of financial advisors and firms. Use this before transferring or liquidating investment accounts belonging to an estate.
brokercheck.finra.org →Vital records & death certificates
VitalChek
The most widely used third-party ordering service for certified death certificates across most states. Faster than mail-ordering directly from state agencies in most cases.
vitalchek.com →CDC — Where to Write for Vital Records
The CDC maintains a directory of every state vital records office, with addresses, fees, and ordering instructions. The authoritative source for direct state-agency ordering.
cdc.gov →Funeral & burial
FTC — Funeral Rule
The FTC's Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to provide itemized price lists and prohibits certain practices. Understanding your rights before meeting with a funeral home can save thousands of dollars.
consumer.ftc.gov →National Funeral Directors Association
Find a member funeral home, understand the embalming and burial process, and access consumer guides on funeral planning and pre-need arrangements.
nfda.org →Cremation Association of North America
Consumer resources on cremation options, ash disposition, and how to compare cremation providers. CANA members follow a code of ethics and standards.
cremationassociation.org →National Cemetery Scheduling Office
Schedule burial at a VA national cemetery for an eligible veteran. Burial in a national cemetery is provided at no cost to the veteran and certain family members.
cem.va.gov →Grief & support
GriefShare
A network of grief recovery support groups offered through local churches and community organizations. Free to attend; find a group by ZIP code. No religious affiliation required to participate.
griefshare.org →National Alliance for Grieving Children
Resources and a support group finder for children and teens experiencing loss. Also provides guidance for adults helping a grieving child navigate death and bereavement.
childrengrieve.org →National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
Find a hospice provider, understand what hospice care includes, and access caregiver resources. Also offers a helpline (1-800-658-8898) for families navigating end-of-life care decisions.
nhpco.org →What's Your Grief
A grief education site by two grief therapists. Practical, non-clinical articles on grief types, coping strategies, and supporting someone who is grieving. Free.
whatsyourgrief.com →Digital estate & accounts
Google Inactive Account Manager
Google's tool to designate what happens to your Google account data (Gmail, Drive, Photos, YouTube) after you become inactive — including who gets access and what gets deleted.
Google account settings →Facebook Memorialization Settings
Designate a legacy contact to manage your Facebook profile after death, or request that your account be deleted. Facebook also allows family members to request account removal with a death certificate.
Facebook Help Center →Apple Digital Legacy
Apple's legacy contact feature lets you designate someone to access your Apple ID data (photos, messages, notes) after death. Find it in Settings → Apple ID → Password & Security.
Apple Support →NCOA — My Medicare Matters
Not strictly digital estate, but the National Council on Aging's Medicare counseling service helps surviving spouses understand Medicare enrollment windows and avoid late enrollment penalties after a spouse's death.
ncoa.org →