2. Gather documents
After losing a spouse, you should make sure that the funeral director you’re working with has already notified the Social Security Administration and ordered 15 to 20 certified copies of the death certificate for assignments such as retitling the mortgage and changing owner names on financial accounts.
In order to apply for Social Security benefits, you’ll need one or more of these essential documents. Try reaching out to your spouse’s employer to distribute life insurance and other benefits such as final pay and retirement plan savings, collect private life insurance proceeds and create a cash flow statement and household budget.
