When someone dies at home, the right first call depends on whether the death was expected. You do not have to handle everything at once. Start with safety, confirmation, and the right professional help.
If the person was on hospice, call the hospice nurse before calling a funeral home. If the death was sudden, unexplained, accidental, or unattended, call 911 and follow their instructions.
- Do not move the person unless instructed.
- Gather medication lists, ID, hospice papers, and any do-not-resuscitate form.
- After death is pronounced or cleared, call the funeral home or cremation provider.
If the Death Was Expected
If the person was receiving hospice or end-of-life care, call the hospice number first. A nurse can come to the home, confirm the death, contact the physician if needed, and guide you through the next steps. Hospice may also help coordinate the funeral home transfer.
If there was no hospice but the death was expected under a doctor's care, call the doctor's office or after-hours line. They can tell you whether a medical professional can certify the death or whether emergency services must be called under local rules.
If the Death Was Unexpected
Call 911 if the death was sudden, unexplained, accidental, violent, or if you are not sure what happened. Emergency responders may attempt resuscitation, pronounce death, or contact the medical examiner or coroner.
Leave the room as it is unless safety requires otherwise. Do not remove medical devices, medication, or personal items until responders tell you what can be moved.
When to Call the Funeral Home
Call the funeral home or cremation provider after death has been pronounced or cleared for transfer. If you do not already have a provider, you can call more than one funeral home and ask for basic prices, transport fees, and next steps.
For cost planning, see How to Plan a Funeral and the Funeral Cost Calculator.
What to Do After the First Calls
- Notify immediate family or the person's chosen contacts.
- Secure the home, pets, vehicles, and medications.
- Ask the funeral home about death certificates and timing.
- Find the will, trust, funeral instructions, and emergency information list. If you do not know where the will is, start with How to Find a Will After Someone Dies.
- Use the complete AfterKin guide for the next steps in order.
Local pronouncement, coroner, and transport rules vary. This article is general first-step guidance for families and is not medical or legal advice.