Regardless of whether a person dies suddenly or passes away after a long fight with a terminal illness, it can be difficult for their family to figure out what steps they need to take next. It’s why it’s so important for you to work with a  Donna, TX funeral home  that can help lead the way following the death of a loved one. They’ll be able to point you in the right direction and show you what you need to do.     The first step you’ll need to take after a loved one passes away will obviously be to find a reputable funeral home that you can work with. But you shouldn’t stop there. There are several other things that will need to be done sooner than later. Here are 4 important steps to take after your loved one dies.     Notify friends and family members of your loved one’s passing.   In the immediate aftermath of your loved one’s death, you will likely be devastated. But you’ll need to take time to let others know that they have passed away. You should notify those closest to you directly by phone to tell them about what happened. You should also work with your funeral home to put together a death notice or obituary that can be printed in the local newspapers. The obituary should be used to notify anyone you weren’t able to speak with about the death and the funeral services that are upcoming.     Figure out what kind of funeral services you’ll hold.   Speaking of funeral services, you will need to start setting them up right away after your loved one’s passing. If your loved one planned out funeral services ahead of time, you’re in luck, as you won’t have to do much. But if they didn’t, you will need to go ahead and work with your funeral director to plan out the services that will be held. Regardless of whether you choose burials or cremations in Donna, TX for your loved one, there are certain decisions that will need to be made with regards to their services. Work with your close family members to make those decisions.   Obtain a copy of the death certificate.   Once the funeral services are over, there will still be some work that needs to be done. Specifically, you will need to close your loved one’s bank and credit card accounts and tackle other legal housekeeping issues. In order to do this, you will need to obtain a copy of your loved one’s death certificate, which can usually be obtained directly from your funeral home. You should ask for multiple copies of the death certificate so that you can give them to financial institutions, insurers, and more.     Take your loved one’s will to your local county office.   Did your loved one leave a will behind? It will need to be taken to your local county office before it can be executed. You want to honor your loved one’s wishes as quickly as you can, so you should try and take the will to the county office within about 10 days of your loved one’s death.     These aren’t all of the steps you’ll need to take following your loved one’s death. But they are some of the most important ones. You can get assistance with these steps and more when you call on an experienced funeral director in Donna, TX. McCaleb Funeral Home can provide one for you and make you feel comfortable throughout the planning process. Contact us at (956) 968-7533 or pay us a visit at 900 W 4th St, Weslaco, TX 78596 for more details.