What To Do When Someone Dies At Home

According to Bio-Tec Emergency Services, LLC.
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After someone dies at home, the immediate next steps depend on whether the death was expected (for example, a person under hospice care) or unexpected. 

 

 

After these steps are taken, call Bio-Tec Emergency Services, LLC at 888-246-911 if cleanup services are needed.

 

 

Immediate steps for an expected death.  

 

 

If the person was under hospice care or had a terminal illness and was recently seen by a doctor, the process is straightforward. 

• Do not call 911. Instead, call the hospice provider or the deceased's doctor at their out-of-hours number.
• Await the professional. A hospice nurse or on-call doctor will visit the home to officially pronounce the time of death.
• Contact the funeral home. Once the medical professional has verified the death, call the funeral home or cremation service. A funeral director will arrange to transport the body.
• Take time if needed. You do not have to have the body removed immediately. It is acceptable to take some time for family to sit with the deceased and say goodbye. 

 

 

Immediate steps for an unexpected death.  

For a sudden, unexpected, or unwitnessed death, you must notify the authorities.

 

Do not touch or move the body or disturb the scene. 

• Call 911. Report the death to the emergency services operator. They will dispatch police and paramedics.
• Present a DNR if applicable. If the deceased had a Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) order, have the document ready to show the paramedics. Without a DNR, they are legally required to attempt resuscitation.
• Cooperate with authorities. Police and a coroner or medical examiner will investigate to determine if an autopsy is needed. A funeral home cannot take the body into their care until the coroner releases it.
• Notify the funeral home. Once the authorities finish their investigation, a funeral director can arrange for the body to be collected. 

 

Steps to take in the days and weeks after  Regardless of the circumstances, several important tasks will follow.

It can be helpful to delegate these responsibilities to others. 

 

Gather important documents

• Death certificate: You will need certified copies of the death certificate for many administrative tasks, such as accessing financial accounts. The funeral director can help you obtain these.
• Estate documents: Locate the will, life insurance policies, Social Security information, and financial records. 

 

Manage administrative tasks

• Notify family and friends: Let close relatives and friends know of the passing.
• Secure the home and property: Lock the house, find care for any pets, and collect mail.
• Cancel services: Contact utility companies, cancel subscriptions, and notify the Social Security Administration. The funeral director can often assist with contacting Social Security.
• File claims: Begin the process of claiming life insurance benefits.
• Begin probate: If there is a will, file it with the county or city office. If there is no will, apply for a letter of administration. 

 

Care for yourself

• Take time to process: There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Many families find comfort in quietly sitting with their loved one before the body is removed.
• Seek support: Consider a grief support group or counseling. Some hospice providers offer bereavement support to families, even if they were not initially involved.