What happens when a single person dies owing taxes and medical bills?

He had several rented medical devices

Caution! Yes, in some states there are some situations that family might be responsible for medical bills! Especially if they are from hospitals or nursing homes, but not for taxes. This was new to me too! I'm a geriatric social worker, and because this was new info for me, I thought it might be new info for others too, so I made a video about it if you want to watch it I'll put a link here:
http://bit.ly/2NlMF6W

Unless you or anyone was a cosigner, no. However, if there is an estate in probate, then the estate is responsible for any and all debts. If there is nothing, then no one gets anything. Do not fold to any collectors that may harass you, just hang up, block the number, forget about it.

And be ware of collection agencies trying to force you to pay. Keep all of the records for years and years in a safe place, just in case they come back.

No. You do not have to pay for the bills of another person when they die, not even if they are family. You simply keep replying to whoever sends bills that the person died, and has not left any estate to collect from. Of course if they DO have any estate, any cars, homes, properties, that all stands to pay their debts until the money is good. But the IRS cannot bill you, nor can any medical company, for the bills of anyone else unless you cosigned for say a car or some such.

Doublewhammy, no the relatives are not responsible unless they had co-signed to pay for the bills. The bills and taxes will be paid from that single person's estate, and has to be paid first.

If there is zero money in the estate, then the State/Federal and hospitals/doctors will not be paid. Curious why health insurance, and/or Medicare/medicaid isn't helping with the medical bills.