If the reporter cashed the check for the month of death (and any later months), do not ask for a refund. Advise the reporter that the Treasury Department (TD) may request the funds back from the bank that cashed the check for a period of up to 12 months from the month that SSA learns of the death.
For example, if 5% of your non-Roth IRA are non-deductible contributions, then 5% of the conversion amount must be non-deductible contributions, and the rest must come from the deductible contributions, including earnings and rollover contributions.
Generally, rollover contributions must be made with the same property that was distributed from the retirement account. Exceptions apply to distribution of securities from a qualified plan, where the participant may sell those securities and rollover the cash proceeds.