I regularly get calls from people saying "Mom died. What do I do now?" I tell them to order the death certificates and call me back to set an appointment once they have the death certificates. I won't meet with them until they have the death certificates because there is literally nothing that can be done to manage assets or proceed towards probate without them. I usually get the follow-up call around a week to week and a half later.

There may be a procedure and extra fee you can pay to expedite getting a death certificate too.