What to Do When Someone Dies at Home
When someone dies at home, you need to call 911 or your local emergency number first. Do not move the body or disturb anything until authorities arrive. If the death was expected and the person was under hospice care, call the hospice agency instead of 911.
Losing someone at home can feel overwhelming, especially when you are unsure what steps to take. Knowing what to do in those first moments helps ensure everything is handled properly while giving you time to process what has happened.
Call the Right People Immediately
Your first call depends on whether the death was expected or unexpected.
For expected deaths: If your loved one was receiving hospice care or had a terminal illness, call the hospice agency first. They will guide you through the next steps and may send a nurse to pronounce the death. You do not need to call 911 in this situation.
For unexpected deaths: Call 911 immediately. Tell the dispatcher that someone has died at home. Emergency responders will arrive to assess the situation and determine next steps.
If you are unsure whether the person has passed away, always call 911. Paramedics are trained to determine if someone can still be helped.
Do Not Touch or Move Anything
Leave the body and the surrounding area exactly as you found it. This is important for several reasons.
Authorities may need to investigate the circumstances of the death, especially if it was unexpected. Moving items or cleaning the area could interfere with their assessment.
Do not attempt CPR unless emergency dispatchers specifically instruct you to do so. If the person has clearly been deceased for some time, CPR will not help and may complicate the situation.
Wait for Official Pronouncement
Only certain people can legally pronounce someone dead. This typically includes doctors, nurses, paramedics, or coroners, depending on your state’s laws.
If emergency responders arrive, they will assess the situation and make the official pronouncement. For hospice patients, a hospice nurse may handle this step.
The person who pronounces the death will also help determine whether the coroner or medical examiner needs to be involved.
During this difficult time, having support helps you focus on what matters most.
Understand Who Takes the Body
After the death is officially pronounced, the body will be taken to either a funeral home, morgue, or medical examiner’s office.
If the death was expected and natural, you can usually choose which funeral home to call. The funeral home will send staff to transport the body from your home.
If the death was unexpected, sudden, or under suspicious circumstances, the coroner or medical examiner may take custody of the body for an autopsy. This is standard procedure and does not necessarily mean anything is wrong.
The officials on scene will explain where the body is being taken and how to retrieve personal effects like jewelry or medical devices.
Gather Important Information
While you wait for officials to arrive, gather any important documents and information about the deceased person.
Look for advance directives, Do Not Resuscitate orders, or other end-of-life documents. Medical personnel may need to see these.
Collect information about the person’s doctor, medications, and recent medical history. Officials may ask questions about the person’s health and activities leading up to their death.
If possible, write down the exact time you discovered the person and any relevant details about the circumstances.
Notify Close Family Members
Once officials are handling the immediate situation, start notifying family members and close friends.
Call the closest family members first, especially if they live nearby or were primary caregivers. They may want to come to the home before the body is removed.
Be direct but gentle when sharing the news. A simple “I need to tell you that Dad passed away this morning” is usually better than trying to ease into the conversation.
Ask family members to help notify other relatives and friends. This prevents you from having to make dozens of difficult phone calls while managing other responsibilities.
Secure the Home and Belongings
Once the body has been removed, take steps to secure the home and protect valuable items.
Lock all doors and windows if the house will be empty. Remove or secure valuable items like jewelry, cash, important documents, and electronics.
If the person lived alone, consider staying at the house overnight or asking a family member to do so. Empty homes can become targets for theft, especially after obituaries are published.
Contact the homeowner’s or renter’s insurance company to report the death. Some policies have specific requirements for vacant properties.
Getting important legal documents organized protects your family’s interests.
Begin the Essential Next Steps
Within the next day or two, you will need to start several important processes.
Contact a funeral home to begin planning services, even if you are not ready to make detailed decisions. They can help preserve the body while you arrange other details.
Order multiple copies of the death certificate through the funeral home or directly from your state’s vital records office. You will need these for insurance claims, bank accounts, and other official business.
Locate the person’s will, if one exists, and contact the attorney who prepared it. Understanding the person’s wishes helps guide your decisions about funeral arrangements and other matters.
Follow our complete step-by-step checklist to ensure you handle all necessary tasks in the proper order.
Know Your Rights and Protections
Several laws protect you during this difficult time.
The Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule gives you specific rights when dealing with funeral homes, including the right to buy only the services you want and to see itemized price lists.
You have the right to choose where the body is taken for care, as long as no legal investigation is required. Do not let anyone pressure you into using a particular funeral home.
Family members have the right to see the deceased person before the body is moved, unless authorities determine this would interfere with an investigation.
When Special Circumstances Apply
Some situations require additional steps or considerations.
If the person was alone for an extended time: The coroner will likely need to investigate. This may delay the release of the body and require an autopsy.
If the person had an infectious disease: Medical personnel will take special precautions. Follow their guidance about sanitizing the area and protecting other household members.
If the person was an organ donor: Time is critical. Mention this to emergency responders immediately, as organs must be harvested within hours of death.
If the person died by suicide or violence: This becomes a crime scene. Do not touch anything and expect an extended investigation process.
Taking Care of Yourself
Discovering someone who has died at home can be traumatic, even when the death was expected.
Consider asking a trusted friend or family member to help you handle phone calls and coordinate with officials. You do not have to manage everything alone.
Eat something and stay hydrated, even if you do not feel like it. Your body needs energy to handle stress and make important decisions.
Do not make any major decisions about funeral arrangements or finances until you have had time to process what happened. Most decisions can wait a day or two.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a body stay at home after death?
This varies by state, but generally the body should be removed within 24 hours. In hot weather, this timeline is shorter. Officials will provide specific guidance based on your location and circumstances.
Do police always come when someone dies at home?
Not always. If the death was expected and the person was under hospice care, police may not respond. For unexpected deaths, police typically investigate to rule out foul play, even if the death appears natural.
Can I refuse an autopsy?
If the coroner or medical examiner orders an autopsy for legal reasons, you cannot refuse it. However, if an autopsy is optional, family members can usually decline. Religious objections may be considered in some jurisdictions.
Who pays for removing the body from the home?
If you choose a funeral home, their transportation fees are part of your funeral costs. If the coroner takes the body for investigation, the county typically covers transportation to the morgue.
What if I cannot afford funeral expenses?
Contact local social services about indigent burial programs. Some counties provide basic burial or cremation for qualifying families. Veterans may be eligible for burial benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, medical, or financial advice. Always consult qualified professionals for guidance specific to your situation.