Free checklist — canton of Vaud

The steps after a death, in order

Here are all the steps our plan covers for the canton of Vaud, grouped by moment. Each line names the authority to contact and its official source. Not everything is due on the same day: start at the beginning and go at your own pace.

This checklist is general. To find out your first priorities, answer 12 questions about your situation — free, with no sign-up.

Now

Request several copies of the death certificate
Civil registry office of the place of death — This week
Source (in French): ch.ch — Demander un acte de décès — checked on 2 October 2026.
Wait for the Justice of the Peace's summons before deciding about the estate
Justice of the Peace of the district of the last residence
Source (in French): État de Vaud — Successions — checked on 2 October 2026.
Request the certificate of inheritance from the Justice of the Peace
Justice of the Peace of the district of the last residence — This month
Source (in French): État de Vaud — Lexique du droit des successions — checked on 2 October 2026.
Claim survivors' benefits from the pension fund
Pension fund of the deceased's employer — This month
Source (in French): ch.ch — Prévoyance professionnelle en cas de décès — checked on 2 October 2026.
Report the death to the AVS fund and claim survivors' benefits
Caisse cantonale vaudoise de compensation (CVC) — This month
Source (in French): OFAS — Mémento 3.03, rentes de survivants de l'AVS — checked on 2 October 2026.
Inform the banks and PostFinance
The deceased's banks and PostFinance — This month
Source (in French): ch.ch — Décès : démarches auprès des institutions — checked on 2 October 2026.
Inform the health insurance fund
The deceased's health insurer — This month
Source (in French): TREX — Remboursement proportionnel de la prime après un décès — checked on 2 October 2026.
Inform the deceased's employer
The deceased's employer — This week — depending on your situation
Source (in French): ch.ch — Décès : démarches — checked on 2 October 2026.
Deal with the deceased's home
Housing agency or landlord — This month — depending on your situation
Source (in French): ch.ch — Résiliation du bail en cas de décès — checked on 2 October 2026.
Inform the institution where the deceased lived
Administration of the institution — This week — depending on your situation
Source (in French): État de Vaud — Décès — checked on 2 October 2026.
Check for debt enforcement proceedings against the deceased
Debt enforcement and bankruptcy office of the canton of Vaud — Before any decision about the estate — depending on your situation
Source (in French): État de Vaud — Poursuites et faillites — checked on 2 October 2026.

Later

Look after the deceased's property
Mortgage bank, building insurance — Regular, until the estate is settled — depending on your situation
Source (in French): État de Vaud — Successions — checked on 2 October 2026.
Review the deceased's insurance policies
The deceased's insurers — This month
Source (in French): ch.ch — Décès : démarches — checked on 2 October 2026.
Cancel subscriptions and current contracts
The deceased's providers and suppliers — This month
Source (in French): ch.ch — Décès : démarches — checked on 2 October 2026.
Settle the deceased's vehicle
Service des automobiles et de la navigation (SAN, Vaud) — Later
Source (in French): État de Vaud — Service des automobiles et de la navigation — checked on 2 October 2026.
Prepare the inheritance tax return
Tax office of the canton of Vaud — When the tax office writes
Source (in French): État de Vaud — Successions et donations — checked on 2 October 2026.

Waiting for an authority

Waiting: the Justice of the Peace's summons
Justice of the Peace of the district of the last residence
Source (in French): État de Vaud — Justice de paix — checked on 2 October 2026.
Waiting: replies from the institutions
Institutions contacted
Source (in French): ch.ch — Décès : démarches — checked on 2 October 2026.

Beyond the list

A list says what to do; it does not say where to start in your situation. The AfterCare CH plan establishes your first priorities for free, then prepares the eight standard letters and keeps the calendar up to date for 12 months (CHF 79, one single payment). If you are unsure about the succession itself, the plan points you to a professional — it never decides in your place.

Each step is explained in detail in our guide, what to do after a death in the canton of Vaud.