When someone dies, families are often disoriented — both by grief and by not knowing what happens next. This guide covers what happens immediately after a person dies: practically, medically, and in terms of what families typically need to do.
In the First Minutes and Hours
If the person is on hospice: Call the hospice nurse — not 911. The hospice nurse will come to the home, confirm the death, and complete the paperwork. This is the process hospice is designed for. Calling 911 initiates emergency procedures that are inconsistent with end-of-life care.
If the person is in a hospital or facility: The medical staff will manage the immediate process. You'll have time to be with the person before they're moved.
If the death was unexpected or unattended: Call 911. The medical examiner may be involved when a death is sudden or the circumstances are unclear.
Take Your Time
There is no need to rush. Once the nurse has confirmed the death, you can take whatever time you need to be with the person — to sit with them, say what needs to be said, let family members arrive, or simply be present. The funeral home does not need to be called immediately.
Calling the Funeral Home
When you're ready, contact the funeral home you've arranged with (ideally chosen in advance). They will come to transport the body — often within a few hours of being called. If no funeral home has been arranged, the hospice social worker or hospital staff can help you find one.
The Death Certificate
A death certificate will be issued — usually by the hospice nurse or the attending physician. You'll need multiple certified copies (typically 8–10) for various legal and financial purposes. The funeral home typically helps obtain these.
Notifying Others
There is no required timeline for notifying people, and you don't have to do it all at once. Common notifications:
- Immediate family members
- The deceased's employer or business
- Social Security Administration
- Bank and financial institutions
- Insurance companies
- Government agencies if the person received benefits
Much of this can wait until after the immediate grief period. See our guide to life after loss for what comes in the months that follow.
What Happens to the Body
After death, the body undergoes predictable physical changes. The funeral home manages the body according to the family's wishes — which may include embalming, burial, cremation, or other arrangements according to cultural or religious practice. If you haven't made funeral arrangements, the funeral home will guide you through options.
For more, see our complete guide to the physical process of dying.