When a loved one dies — whether peacefully at home or in a hospital — the moments that follow can be overwhelming. Knowing what to do when a loved one dies at home or in the hospital helps you act calmly and correctly in the midst of grief. At Memory Eternal Funeral Directors, we answer calls every day and night from families facing these exact moments. Here is the clear, step-by-step guidance we share with them.
Key Takeaways: What to Do When Death Occurs
- Your first call depends on where the death occurred: 911 at home, the hospital team if in care.
- If hospice is involved, call hospice first — they guide you through everything.
- Do not move or alter the body; leave things as they are.
- Call your funeral director early — even before the body is transported.
- Do not rush decisions about a funeral home; choose one you trust.
1. If Death Occurs at Home
If your loved one dies at home and is not under hospice care, call 911. The dispatcher will send police or emergency medical services, who will confirm the death and notify the medical examiner. This is standard procedure, and it does not mean anyone is in trouble. The authorities will arrange transport of the body to a location where a physician can formally pronounce death, and you will then be able to contact the funeral home to take over care.
If your loved one is under hospice care, the process is gentler. Call your hospice nurse first. They will come to the home, pronounce the death, and walk you through next steps. Hospice typically handles the transport arrangements and paperwork so you can focus on your family.
2. If Death Occurs in the Hospital
When a death occurs in a hospital or care facility, the staff handles the pronouncement and the immediate legal steps. They will contact the family and guide you through what happens next. The facility will hold the body until you notify them which funeral home you’ve chosen to provide transport and care.
3. Contact Your Funeral Director Early
Here’s a piece of advice families often wish they’d heard sooner: call your funeral director even before the body is transported. An experienced director can arrange transfer, coordinate with the hospital or medical examiner, and make sure the legal documents are correct. You don’t need to make any decisions about services yet — you just need the right people handling the body with care.
Our team at Memory Eternal answers the phone 24 hours a day, every day. When you call, a real person — not a voicemail — will guide you through what happens after a death occurs, step by step.
4. What NOT to Do in Those First Hours
In the initial shock, people sometimes make avoidable mistakes. To protect yourself and your loved one:
- Don’t move or disturb the body — leave everything as it is until professionals arrive.
- Don’t make hasty funeral decisions — you have time; comparison shop when you’re ready.
- Don’t cancel benefits or accounts — wait until paperwork is settled.
- Don’t go it alone — ask one trusted friend to help field calls and decisions.
5. The Paperwork and Arrangements That Follow
In the days after the death, several documents will need attention: the death certificate, notification of Social Security and pension providers, and the funeral arrangements themselves. Your funeral director prepares and files the death certificate, which you’ll need copies of for banks, insurers, and government agencies. We’ll walk you through each document and keep the process moving.
6. Choosing the Right Funeral Home
You are never obligated to use the first funeral home you call. Take time to choose a provider that feels right — transparent about pricing, experienced with your family’s traditions, and genuinely compassionate. Under the FTC Funeral Rule, funeral homes must provide itemized pricing over the phone and in writing. Ask questions, compare, and trust your instincts. Our full range of services and convenient Chicago locations are here whenever you’re ready.
You Are Not Alone in This Moment
The hours after a death are some of the hardest of your life — and you should never have to manage them alone. Whether death occurs at home or in the hospital, one phone call puts a compassionate professional by your side. Contact Memory Eternal Funeral Directors any time, day or night. We’ll handle the details so you can be with your family. For trusted general guidance, the National Funeral Directors Association also offers helpful checklists for the days following a death.
