When my mother passed away she had life insurance through Metlife from her place of employment, as a retiree.
We reviewed my mother's life insurance plan, called the life insurance company (Metlife) to inform them of her passing.
Metlife set-up a claim file and explained to us what documents would be required, and that they would mail the information necessary for completion of a claim on my mother's life insurance policy.
After completing the documents and mailing them back to Metlife, along with an original death certificate, Metlife received and reviewed the materials, and mailed a check back to my father within 2 weeks of completing their review of the claim information.