After a death: what to do, in order

You don’t need to do everything at once. This is the usual order, so the things that can’t wait come first.

In the first few days

Keep their phone charged and the number active. It may receive security codes for other accounts, and voicemails are lost when it’s closed.Saving voicemails
Find key documents: the will, bank cards, and recent bills or statements.What to gather
Order copies of the death certificate. Your funeral director can usually help.Documents companies ask for
Contact their bank. Accounts in their name are usually paused, which stops payments going out.Bank guides
Tell Services Australia through myGov, so Centrelink and Medicare are updated.myGov guide

Contact their super fund.
Check bank statements for subscriptions and regular payments, and cancel what’s no longer needed.Finding regular payments
Save photos, messages and voicemails before any phone or account is closed.How to save them
Contact their phone and internet provider to close or transfer services.Phone and internet guides
Transfer or close electricity, gas and water accounts.

Keep a simple record: for each company, note the date you contacted them, who you spoke to and any reference number.