A “death box” is a physical + digital set of instructions and documents that makes it dramatically easier for someone to handle your life if you die or become incapacitated.

This isn’t about being dramatic. It’s about being kind. Because grief is hard enough. Admin doesn’t need to be.

✅ What a “Death Box” Is (and Why It Matters)

A death box is one centralized system that answers:

• Who do I call first?

• What accounts exist?

• Where is the money?

• What bills must be paid immediately?

• What benefits kick in (life insurance, pension, etc.)?

• What are their wishes?

If you’ve ever watched a family scramble after a death, you already know why this matters.

Step-by-Step: Build It in 60–90 Minutes

Step 1️⃣ Choose Your Format

Pick one:

Option A: Physical Binder (recommended)

• A 1–2 inch binder

• Plastic sleeves

• Divider tabs

Option B: File Folder + Envelope

• A folder for papers

• A sealed envelope for sensitive info (more on that below)

Option C: Digital Folder (must be paired with access plan)

• Google Drive/Dropbox folder

• Password manager for access

• Printed “how to access” instructions in your home

Best practice: Physical binder + digital backup.

Step 2️⃣ Pick the “Trusted Person”

Choose one primary person who would handle things (spouse, sibling, best friend).

Write their name at the front of the binder.

Add:

• Full name

• Phone number

• Relationship

• Where they can find this binder

This is your “point person.”

Step 3️⃣ Create the One-Page Quick Start Sheet

This is the most important page.

Title: “If Something Happens to Me: Start Here”

Include:

Immediate contacts

• Partner / spouse

• Parents / siblings

• Best friend

• Attorney (if applicable)

• Financial planner (if applicable)

Critical actions within 24–72 hours

• How to access your phone (for 2-factor codes)

• How to access email (for account recovery)

• Which bills must be paid (mortgage/rent, utilities)

• Dependent/pet care instructions

Where the documents are

• “This binder is the master”

• Where digital backup is stored

Step 4️⃣ Add the Core Document Sections

Use tabs. Keep it clean.

Tab A: Identity & Legal

Include copies of:

• Driver’s license / passport

• Social Security card (or number listed)

• Birth certificate (if you have it)

• Marriage certificate / divorce decree (if applicable)

Legal documents (if applicable):

• Will

• Trust

• Power of attorney

• Healthcare proxy / advance directive

• Guardianship instructions for kids

If you don’t have these yet: include a page that says “Not completed yet” so no one wastes time searching.

Tab B: Money Map (Accounts + Where Everything Is)

This is not the place for passwords.
This is the place for a complete list of accounts.

Include:

Banking

• Checking / savings

• HYSA

• Joint accounts

Investments

• 401(k)/403(b)/457

• IRA / Roth IRA

• Brokerage account

• HSA

Debt

• Mortgage

• Student loans

• Car loan

• Credit cards

For each account list:

• Institution name (Fidelity, Vanguard, etc.)

• Last 4 digits

• Approx balance range (optional but helpful)

• Beneficiary status (Yes/No/Unsure)

Tab C: Insurance & Benefits

This is where families lose money because they don’t know what exists.

Include:

• Life insurance policy info (work + private)

• Disability insurance

• Health insurance details

• Home/renters insurance

• Auto insurance

If you have a pension:

• Pension plan name

• Employer contact

• Where the benefits booklet is located

• Survivor benefits notes (if known)

Tab D: Monthly Bills & Subscriptions

Include:

• Rent/mortgage

• Utilities

• Phone/internet

• Car payment

• Childcare

• Any recurring medical bills

• Credit card autopays

Also include:

• Streaming subscriptions

• Apps that bill annually

• Memberships

This helps your person stop financial bleeding immediately.

Tab E: Digital Life

This is where modern estates get messy.

Include a list of:

• Email provider (Gmail, iCloud)

• Phone provider

• Social media accounts

• Cloud photo storage

• Any business accounts (Kajabi, Stripe, PayPal, etc.)

✅ Best practice: Use a password manager (1Password/LastPass/etc.) and include instructions for how your trusted person can access it.

Tab F: Your Wishes (Short + Human)

This is not legal language. This is you.

Include:

• What you’d want done with your body (burial/cremation preference)

• Any cultural/religious preferences

• A short note to your loved ones (optional)

• Where important sentimental items are

Keep it simple. One page is enough.

🔒 The Password Question (Do This Safely)

Do not print all your passwords in the binder.

Instead, do one of these:

✅ Option 1: Password Manager
Store logins there and include:

• Where the password manager is

• How your trusted person can access it (emergency access feature, or instructions)

✅ Option 2: Sealed Envelope
Put the most critical access info in a sealed envelope labeled:
“Open only if I am deceased or incapacitated.”
Update it every 6–12 months.

✅ Maintenance (So It Doesn’t Become Useless)

Put a recurring reminder:

• Every 6 months: update accounts, beneficiaries, insurance

• After major life events: marriage, divorce, baby, new job, new house

A death box is a living system.

NurseMoneyDate® Bottom Line

This isn’t about fearing death.

This is about reducing chaos and protecting the people you love.

It’s one of the most adult, loving financial moves you can make.

And you don’t need to do it perfectly.

You just need to do it once and maintain it lightly.