How to prepare and deal with a parent’s death?

My dad recently had a heart attack, and while he’s recovering, it’s made our family realize that we may not have as much time as we’d like. I’ll be moving in with my parents soon, and for the first time in my life I’m having to think seriously about what happens when a parent passes away.

I’ve never dealt with the death of an immediate family member before, and I don’t have a lot of money or experience navigating everything that comes afterward. I’m worried that when it eventually happens, I’ll be completely overwhelmed and won’t know where to start.

I’ve talked to my dad about getting things organized ahead of time. I’ve asked him to make a list of subscriptions, accounts, and important logins so we aren’t scrambling to figure those things out later. However, I’m more concerned about the bigger issues: what happens to the house, the car, bank accounts, insurance, bills, and all of the legal and administrative tasks that come with settling someone’s affairs.

He has told me he wants me to have his car, but beyond that I don’t have many concrete answers. Part of me is also worried that dealing with all of the paperwork, account closures, and digital footprints after his death will make an already difficult time even more stressful.

For those who have been through this, what do you wish you had known beforehand? What steps can I take now to make things easier for both my parents and myself when the time comes?