EDUCATIONAL SERIES

What to Do in the First 72 Hours After a Death

A calm, practical guide for families during the most overwhelming period
Infosheet 27 of 28

The first 72 hours after losing someone are among the most difficult most people will ever experience. Grief is disorienting. Decisions feel impossible. And yet, there are practical steps that simply cannot wait.

This infosheet does not try to reduce grief to a checklist. It acknowledges how hard those early hours and days are, and offers practical guidance on what needs to happen, in what order, and why.

Not everything on this list needs to be done by one person. Delegating tasks to trusted family members or friends is not only acceptable, it is sensible. The goal is simply to ensure that the most urgent steps are taken without unnecessary delay, so that the estate process can begin at the right time and on the right footing.

1 Immediate Practical Steps
  • Contact a doctor or paramedic to confirm the death
  • Arrange for the body to be collected by a funeral home
  • Notify close family members
  • Secure the deceased’s home and belongings
2 Administrative Steps
  • Obtain the Notification of Death (BI1663)
  • Register the death at Home Affairs
  • Collect the Death Certificate
  • Locate the will if possible
3 Financial and Security Steps
  • Ensure the property is locked and safe
  • Check on pets or dependants
  • Inform banks only once the executor is ready to proceed
  • Avoid withdrawing money or using the deceased’s accounts
4 Emotional and Family Support
  • Lean on trusted family or friends
  • Delegate tasks where possible
  • Take breaks — grief affects decision-making

A Note From Our Practice

Losing someone you love is hard enough. The legal process of winding up their estate should not be a source of additional confusion or anxiety. But for most families, it is.

Estate administration in South Africa is a structured legal process governed by the Administration of Estates Act and a range of other legislation. It involves the Master of the High Court, SARS, financial institutions, the Deeds Office, and more. It takes time. It requires documents. And it can feel, at every turn, like a system that expects you to already know how it works.
We created this educational series because we believe informed families make better decisions and because the questions we are asked most often are the same ones that could be answered before a client ever walks through our door.

The CDT Educational Series consists of 28 infosheets covering the full spectrum of deceased estate administration, from the first 72 hours after a death to the final distribution of assets. Each infosheet is written in plain language, without jargon, and is designed to give you a clear picture of what the process involves and why each step exists.

Important: These infosheets are educational resources. They provide general information about the estate administration process in South Africa and are not intended as legal advice. Every estate has its own facts, complexities, and circumstances. Nothing in this series should be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal guidance specific to your matter.

Our intention is simple: to help you understand the landscape, ask the right questions, and feel confident when you come to us for help. Because when you are ready, we are here.

Cari du Toit & Aqeela Peters

Directors
Cari du Toit Incorporated Attorneys & Conveyancers