What To Do When Someone Dies

These are the first steps to take in the first 24 to 72 hours. Focus on confirming the death, notifying the right people, and taking care of immediate needs.

• 1.1Notify the right authoritiesIf the death was expected, call the hospice nurse or their doctor. If it was unexpected or the cause is unclear, call 911. Do not move the body until authorities arrive.
• 1.2Get a legal pronouncement of deathA physician, hospice nurse, or medical examiner must officially declare the death. This is required before a death certificate can be issued.
• 1.3Check for organ donation or medical research plansLook for a donor card or check their driver's license. If they registered as a donor, contact the hospital or donation organization right away — timing matters.
• 1.4Arrange transportation of the bodyContact a funeral home or cremation provider to bring them into care. You are not required to use the one a hospital recommends — you can call more than one.
• 1.5Notify close family and friendsCall the people closest to them directly before anything is shared publicly or on social media. Ask someone you trust to help you make calls.
• 1.6Start a list of people and organizations to notifyKeep a running list as you work through this checklist. Employers, banks, insurers, and government agencies all need to be told.
• 1.7Secure the home and belongingsLock up the home and make sure valuables are safe. If the house will be empty for a period of time, ask a neighbor to keep an eye on it.
• 1.8Arrange care for dependentsIf they were caring for children, an elderly parent, or anyone else who depends on daily support, make sure someone steps in today.
• 1.9Arrange care for petsFind someone to feed, walk, and care for their pets. This often gets overlooked in the immediate chaos.
• 1.10Check the home and remove perishablesIf no one will be in the home, remove food that will spoil, take out trash, and make sure nothing is left running.
• 1.11Order certified copies of the death certificateOrder at least 10 to 20 certified copies. Banks, insurance companies, and government agencies each typically require an original. The funeral home can usually order them for you.