I'm so sorry for you loss. I lost my MIL about two months ago. She also didnt have a will and was disorganized financially so I know how tough it is to figure out the next steps. Like pps said, the funeral home will walk you through those arrangements. Calling her bank is a good idea, it should be easy to reset online access if your husband is named on the account and from there you can see her inflows/outflows that need to be notified of her death (pensions, social security, life insurance, credit cards, etc). Also, start looking through her papers to see if she has any lists of passwords or if any are stored on her computer. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.
As others mentioned the funeral home with help you getting the obituary published, death certificates ordered, etc.
I have a few additional pieces of advice: - Order lots of copies of the death certificate. (I think I used ~ 10 ) Some places will request an original, but some will take a copy. - I'd get a lawyer to help with the probate/administration. I'm sure you could figure it out, but I know I didn't want to deal with trying to figure out what I needed to do. - Order additional copies of the letters of administration as well. - Contact Social Security as soon as possible, that way you can get direct deposits stopped.
All the suggestions I would have made have already been given, but I just wanted to say that I'm so sorry for your and your DH's loss. I hope everything goes as smoothly as possible so you don't have to worry too much about it during this sad time.
I am so sorry for your loss. I have no words of comfort only my deepest sympathies. While you handle the arrangements for the funeral, you will want to keep all estate receipts together. It is a good idea to ensure that there are no personal expenses mixed in with estate expenses. Once you locate the will and go through probate, the estate can reimburse you for documented expenses.
I'm very sorry for your loss. The funeral home should walk you through much of the administrative process. Make sure to order multiple copies of the certified death certificate - some place will require an original only. I think I ordered 8 when my dad passed. If your DH is on her account that will be useful for covering expenses upfront. Just make sure he saves all receipts so his siblings don't try to make any accusations towards him. You just never know how some family members react in times like these. If possible, delegate spreading the news re: her death & funeral details to a trusted friend(s). It will be easier on all of you.
The funeral home will likely take care of a lot of arrangements, or at least guide you. Be prepared for sticker shock. I think the local paper quoted $250 for a few days' worth of obituary for my grandma.
Make sure your H (or whomever the executor of her will is. Did she have one?) gets multiple copies of her death certificate. They'll need it for everything from stopping some bills to accessing bank accounts, etc. I think my dad ended up getting about one or 2 dozen when all was said and done. He also had to more or less go from bank to bank inquiring about accounts, even though my grandma had things pretty well organized.
And take your time. The grief may sink in tomorrow, or next week, or next month.
I am very sorry for your loss. Your friend should be able to handle most if not all of the funeral and memorial arrangements. My brother is the executor of my dad's and stepmother's estates and he has gone to the bank to confirm checking and savings and safe deposit boxes, we siblings have all notified the relatives, I've placed the obituaries (the funeral home can do this) and arranged the memorial service. The funeral home will also take care of details such as the death certificate, which you will need to take care of a lot of the other paperwork such as banking and closing accounts.
My brother is paying all the recurring bills and medical bills. My brother is selling off assets to pay for outstanding expenses and medical bills. If her estate is above a certain amount, the will has to be submitted to probate court so you'll need to find a probate lawyer (it's generally over six-figures for the estate - and a pretty solid six figures at that. You should be able to Google or call a probate lawyer to find out.)