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Someone died in Illinois. Start here.
The first 24 hours, in order, then the first week and the first month, with Illinois's actual rules for death certificates, cremation, and probate. This page is free. No account required.
Sources: official Illinois statutes and agencies, linked below. Last full review: August 2026.
Start with safety, the required local response, and the people who can help. The exact process depends on where and how the death occurred.
These figures come from the same data as our full Illinois guide, built from state statutes and official agencies.
Death certificate
Filed within 7 days
The funeral provider or another authorized filer usually handles it. Ask each institution whether it needs a certified copy, then order an initial quantity based on those actual needs. Confirm the current fee with the issuing office; the guide's last-reviewed first-copy or search fee starts at $19. Additional-copy, vendor, and expedited fees may differ.
Source: 410 ILCS 535/18 (Vital Records Act, death registration) (opens in a new tab)Cremation
No fixed statutory wait
Illinois doesn’t set a fixed minimum wait in the source reviewed. Release, authorization, permit, death-record, or investigation requirements may still delay cremation. The person legally authorized under state law completes any required authorization; the provider handles its filing process.
Source: 755 ILCS 65/ (Disposition of Remains Act); 410 ILCS 18/20 (Crematory Regu… (opens in a new tab)Probate
$150,000 listed amount
The amount alone doesn’t establish eligibility. Confirm which property counts, how it’s valued, the waiting period, ownership, any pending court case, and every other state condition.
Source: 755 ILCS 5/ (Illinois Probate Act of 1975), including 755 ILCS 5/25-1 (opens in a new tab)Estate tax
Yes, this state has one
Illinois's estate tax has state-specific exemptions, rates, filing rules, and responsible parties. Check the linked state tax authority.
Source 1: 35 ILCS 405/ (Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act) (opens in a new tab)Source 2: IRS: 2026 estate tax basic exclusion amount (opens in a new tab)Days 2 to 7 · 1 to 7 days
These tasks often begin during the first week, but local requirements and the family's circumstances may change the order.
Weeks 2 to 4 · 1 to 4 weeks
The immediate calls may slow down. Estate, account, benefit, property, and tax work often continues for months.
The Long Game · 1 month+
Estate administration may take months or longer. The timing depends on the assets, claims, disputes, tax work, court schedule, and state procedure.
These ticks stay in this browser and don’t transfer into an account. A free MORTL account has a separate dashboard and planning tools when you’re ready for them.