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California Guide

What to do when someone dies in California.

A step-by-step guide for families navigating death administration in California. Covers death certificates, cremation rules, probate, and average costs.

$21 per copy
Death Certificate
24 hours
Cremation Wait
$1,200–$3,500
Avg Cremation
$184,500
Small Estate Limit

First 24 Hours in California

1
Call 911 or hospice if the death was unattended or unexpected
2
Have the death officially pronounced by a medical professional
3
Contact a funeral home to arrange transport of the body
4
Notify immediate family members and close friends
5
Secure the home, vehicles, and personal property
6
Locate the will, trust documents, and advance directives
7
Contact the deceased's employer if they were still working
8
Do not pay any bills or debts until the estate is established
See the full checklist (all phases) →

Getting a Death Certificate in California

Agency
California Department of Public Health
Cost
$21 per copy
Processing Time
3–5 business days

How many do you need? Plan to order at least 10–12 certified copies. You will need them for banks, insurance companies, government agencies, retirement accounts, and courts. It is much cheaper to order extras upfront than to reorder later.

California Legal Requirements

California probate is required for estates over $184,500 without a trust. A revocable living trust is commonly used to avoid probate.

Community property state — surviving spouse automatically owns half of marital assets
Disposition of Remains authorization required before cremation
No state estate tax

Average Funeral Costs in California

Average Cremation
$1,200–$3,500

Direct cremation to full cremation with service

Full cost breakdown →
Average Burial
$8,000–$18,000

Includes burial plot, funeral service, and vault

Full cost breakdown →

Ready to organize the paperwork?

FuneralFlow helps families track every task, gather every document, and manage all 47 government forms in one secure place — including California-specific requirements.

Try FuneralFlow Free →

Find Funeral Homes in California

Los Angeles
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San Francisco
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San Diego
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San Jose
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Sacramento
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Frequently Asked Questions

How many death certificates do I need in California?

Plan for at least 10–12 certified copies. Each financial institution, insurance company, government agency, and court requires its own original certified copy. It costs $21 per copy per copy from the California Department of Public Health.

How long does probate take in California?

Straightforward probate in California typically takes 6–12 months. Complex estates with disputes or significant assets can take 2–3 years. Estates under $184,500 may qualify for a simplified process.

How soon can cremation happen in California?

California requires a 24 hours waiting period before cremation. All paperwork must be completed and signed by the authorized next-of-kin before cremation can proceed.

What happens if someone dies without a will in California?

If someone dies without a will ("intestate") in California, the estate is distributed according to state intestacy laws. Generally assets pass to the spouse first, then children, then other relatives in a specific legal order determined by the probate court.