What to Do After a Parent's Death in the USA if They Had a Pension from Poland

The death of a loved one abroad requires handling matters in two countries simultaneously. This guide walks you through everything that needs to be done in the first weeks and months.

First 72 Hours in the USA

1. Notify Medical Services and the Police

If the death occurred at home, call 911 — they will send medics and a coroner. In a hospital, the staff handles this automatically. The coroner issues a preliminary death declaration.

2. Choose a Funeral Home

Polish funeral homes in Chicago, NYC, NJ specialize in transporting bodies to Poland. Contacts:

• Polish companies advertise in Polish newspapers
• The Polish Catholic parish usually has a list of trusted funeral homes
• Polish consulates can assist with a list

3. Decision: Funeral in the USA or Transport to Poland

• Funeral in the USA: $5,000–15,000 (cremation is cheaper)
• Transport of the body to Poland: $8,000–18,000 (body preparation, air coffin, transport, documents)
• Transport of ashes: $1,500–3,500

First Week — Documents in the USA

Death Certificate

Issued by the state where the death occurred. Order at least 10 original copies with apostille — they will be needed everywhere (banks, ZUS, courts, insurers).

• Cost: $10–25 each
• Apostille (international legalization): an additional $20–50
• Issuance time: 5–15 days

Notification to the Polish Consulate

The nearest consulate (Chicago, NY, LA, Houston) will issue a Polish copy of the death certificate — required for Polish procedures. Bring the American death certificate with apostille + the deceased's passport.

First Month — Matters in Poland

1. Notification to ZUS

You must promptly notify ZUS of the death — otherwise, the paid pensions will become overpayments to be refunded. Procedure: details in a separate guide "How to Report a Death to ZUS from Abroad".

2. ZUS Benefits Due After the Deceased

You may be entitled to:

• Funeral allowance — 4,000 PLN one-time for the person covering funeral costs
• Family pension — for the widow/widower, children up to 16/25 years, underage grandchildren
• Unpaid benefits — pension for the month in which the death occurred

3. Inheritance Matters in Poland

• Certificate of inheritance at a notary (or court ruling)
• Notification to the tax office within 6 months (form SD-Z2)
• Entry in the land and mortgage register (if there was real estate)

4. Inheritance Matters in the USA

• Probate in state court — if the deceased had assets in the USA (accounts, real estate, car)
• Some states have a "small estate affidavit" for estates below $50,000–100,000 — a faster path
• Consultation with a local estate attorney is almost always necessary here

Three Months — Financial Matters

Bank Accounts

• USA: notify the bank — the account will be frozen until probate. Joint accounts with right of survivorship pass automatically.
• Poland: notify the bank, present the death certificate and certificate of inheritance.

Insurance

• Life insurance — report to the insurer, payment usually in 2-6 weeks
• Social Security USA — if the deceased received benefits, family benefits may be due
• Car insurance — cancel
• Health insurance — cancel

Real Estate

• USA: deed/title needs to be transferred — usually through probate court
• Poland: entry in the land and mortgage register after obtaining the certificate of inheritance

Help and Support

• Polish Consulates — assist with documents and funeral contacts
• Polish Parishes — spiritual support and contacts with trusted providers
• Polish Legal Agencies — help with probate and inheritance matters
• Polish-American Association (Chicago) and similar organizations

Common Mistakes

• Delaying notification of death to ZUS (overpaid benefits must be refunded)
• Failing to notify the tax office in Poland (penalties)
• Lack of apostille on the American death certificate (Polish offices will not accept it)
• Not reporting matters in the USA where the deceased had assets (issues with probate later)
• Not informing all insurance beneficiaries