What Do You Do When Someone Dies at Home? The Immediate Steps
By CRYSTAL BAI •
The short answer: When someone dies at home, you don't have to call 911 immediately unless the death is unexpected. If under hospice care, call the hospice nurse first. Take time with the body. When ready, contact a funeral home. Death certificates must be certified by a physician, hospice nurse, or medical examiner.
Immediate Steps When Someone Dies at Home
When a death is expected (under hospice care, after a terminal illness), there is no emergency requiring immediate 911 calls. You have time. Take the time you need with your loved one before calling anyone. The body is not a biohazard — you can be present with it for hours if you wish.
If Under Hospice Care
Call the hospice nurse first. They will come to the home, pronounce the death, and file the death certificate paperwork with the certifying physician. The hospice team will guide you through the next steps. There is no need to call 911 — hospice is designed to handle expected home deaths.
If Not Under Hospice (Expected Death)
Call the person's primary physician or the on-call physician to certify the death and complete the death certificate. If the physician cannot or will not come, you may need to call your local coroner or medical examiner's office. Do not call 911 unless there is an emergency or the death circumstances are unclear.
If the Death Is Unexpected
Call 911 for any death that is unexpected, sudden, or where the cause is unknown. Law enforcement will likely respond alongside EMS. The medical examiner or coroner will likely be involved. Do not move or disturb the body. This process can be difficult for families — having a death doula or trusted support person present can help.
After the Death Is Certified
Contact a funeral home or, if planning a home funeral, your home funeral guide. Obtain multiple certified death certificates (10–15 — you'll need them for banks, insurers, SSA, etc.). Notify close family and friends at your own pace — you don't need to rush.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to call 911 when someone dies at home?
Not if the death was expected (under hospice care or after a known terminal illness). Call your hospice nurse or the certifying physician first. Call 911 only for unexpected or unclear deaths.
What does a hospice nurse do when someone dies at home?
The hospice nurse comes to the home, pronounces the death, initiates the death certificate process, and guides the family through immediate next steps including contacting a funeral home.
How long can you keep a body at home after death?
In most states, you can keep a body at home for 24–72 hours before it must be transferred to a funeral home or refrigerated. Home funeral practitioners can advise on your state's specific rules.
Can a death doula be present when someone dies at home?
Yes. Death doulas can be present at the bedside during the dying process and the moment of death, providing support to the family and helping navigate the immediate hours after.
Renidy connects grieving families with compassionate death doulas and AI-powered funeral planning tools. Try our free AI funeral planner or find a death doula near you.