If your husband dies at home, youu2019ll need to call the authorities and have his body transported to the morgue or a funeral home.He may have to have an autopsy. This depends on local law.If he dies in a hospital, the hospital will transport his body where you instruct them to transport it.FuneralIf you have made funeral arrangements in advance, contact the funeral home.If you have not made advance arrangements, you )or someone that is helping you) will need to make some calls to check prices for funerals and burial plots.If you are in the US and your husband is a veteran you may be able to get a free plot for him. You may also be able to get a free spot for him and you if youu2019ll both be cremated.BurialIf you will bury your husband, youu2019ll need a coffin and a piece of ground to bury the coffin in.If he was a veteran, contact the VA as they may send someone to do a 21-gun salute and they will pra flag to cover his coffin.CremationCremation is the less expensive option. The urn can be placed in a crypt, in a grave with other family members, solo, or taken home.Phone CallsSomeone should call people who are likely to care about your husbandu2019s death including family and friends.If he was working, youu2019ll want to contact his boss.Contact his doctor, dentist, and eye doctor. You donu2019t want to receive follow-up or reminder calls for appointments scheduled ahead of time.ObituaryThe funeral home will generally post a temporary obituary online. If you want one in the newspaper, youu2019ll have to write it and pay for it to be printed in the paper.Death CertificateThe death certificate should be filed with the county. After about a week you should receive several copies. The funeral director may ask you how many copies you need. Depending on the assets your husband had, you may want between 10 - 20 certified copies.Locate important papersWillTrustMilitary discharge papersSocial SecurityRetirement accountsLife insuranceHealth insuranceCar insuranceCredit cardsBank statementsIf the estate will be probated, contact a lawyer.Do not make any big decisions for at least a year.Self-CareBe very nice to yourself.FamilyIf you have children, remember that they are also mourning. Be there for them as much as you are able to be.Take action on important papersWillContact a lawyer to probate unless it is only a pour over will and you are the trustee of the living trustTrustIf you are the trustee, contact asset holders (i.e. bank and investment accounts) to let them know your spouse is deceased.Military discharge papersIf your spouse is being buried in a veterans cemetery you will need these.Social SecurityContact them to let them know your spouse is deceased.When you receive the paperwork, complete it and return it.Retirement accountsChange names on accountsIf your spouse had an IRA, roll it over to yours if that is how it will be disposed of. Remember to stay on top of self-managed investments.Life insuranceContact company(ies) for claim forms. It will probably be online.Once you have a certified death certificate, submit the claim by following their instructions.Health insuranceCancel health insurance on your spouse.Keep track of any bills.Car insuranceRemove your spouseu2019s name from the automobile insurance policy.Credit cardsClose any separate accounts.Notify the company that your spouse is deceased.Bank statementsContact the bank and change title to the accounts based on the trust or to administrator of the will if the estate is being probated.If the estate will be probated, contact a lawyer.Bequests/Gifts:If your spouse left instructions for anyone to receive specific assets, give them the asset but be sure to work with your attorney if the estate is being probated. If everything is in a trust and you are the trustee, you may go ahead unless the assets might involve gift taxes. If over $14,000 contact an attorney.ClothingCheck all the pockets before you donate or sell clothing.If youu2019re not up to this, ask family or friends to help or hire a service to assist you.I cannot enforce enough not to make big decisions for at least a year. This includes advice from investment and insurance sales people. If the circumstances are such that you have to make decisions, ask for help from a friend or attorney.