Skip to main content
Calla

After a death · California

What to do when someone dies in California

When someone dies in California, the first steps are the same everywhere: get a legal pronouncement of death, arrange transfer of the body to a funeral provider, and obtain certified copies of the death certificate. From there you notify Social Security, banks, and insurers, and begin settling the estate. Take it one step at a time — most of it is less urgent than it feels.

You never have to be rushed into signing or paying for arrangements. In California, as everywhere in the US, funeral providers must give you an itemized price list, and you can compare before you choose.

  1. Get a legal pronouncement of death

    Someone with authority must formally declare the death. In a hospital or care facility, staff handle it. If hospice is involved, call them. If the death was unexpected or happened at home without medical supervision, call 911 and follow their guidance.

  2. Arrange transfer into a funeral provider's care

    Once death is pronounced, the body is transferred to a funeral home or crematory. You don't have to choose final arrangements yet — you can authorize a transfer and decide on a service afterward, and you're entitled to compare itemized prices first.

  3. Obtain certified copies of the death certificate

    The funeral director usually files the death certificate and can order certified copies for you. You'll need several certified originals — to close accounts, claim insurance and benefits, and settle the estate. Many families order 10 or more.

  4. Notify Social Security and federal agencies

    The funeral home often reports the death to the Social Security Administration; if not, you must. SSA notifies Medicare. A surviving spouse or dependent may be eligible for a one-time death payment and survivor benefits.

  5. Notify banks, insurers, employers, and others

    Contact the person's bank, credit-card companies, pension and insurance providers, employer, and the credit bureaus (to guard against identity theft). Each has its own process and will usually ask for a certified death certificate.

  6. Find the will and begin settling the estate

    Locate the will and identify the executor. Depending on what the person owned and your state's thresholds, you may need to open probate or use a simplified small-estate process. An attorney can help if the estate is complex.

Getting a death certificate in California

Where to order
California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Vital Records — or the county recorder — official site
Cost
$26 (as of 2026) for the first certified copy; $26 each.
How to order
Order by mail from CDPH (Form VS 112), from the county recorder where the death occurred, or online via the state's authorized vendor VitalChek.
Good to know
An authorized certified copy requires a notarized sworn statement; funeral homes are exempt from the notary requirement.

Helpful next steps

Full step-by-step checklistFuneral providers in CaliforniaEstimate funeral costs

This is general guidance, not legal advice, and processes vary by county and circumstance. For specific questions, contact the California vital-records office or a qualified professional.