What to Do Immediately After Someone Dies at Home

The short answer: When someone dies at home, you do not need to call 911 — especially if they were on hospice. You have time. The first step is to pause and be present with the person who has died. Then call the hospice nurse (or physician if not on hospice), who will guide the next steps. The funeral home does not need to be called immediately. You have hours, if not more, to be with your loved one.

The First Moments: There Is No Rush

When someone dies at home, many people's first instinct is to call someone — anyone — immediately. But the most important thing to know is: there is no rush. The person who has died is not going anywhere. You have time to sit with them, to say what you need to say, to gather family members, and to grieve before the logistics begin.

If your loved one was on hospice, you were prepared for this moment. The hospice nurse has guided you through what to expect. Now is the time to call the nurse — not 911, not the funeral home immediately — but the hospice nurse.

Step 1: Pause and Be Present

Before you do anything else, take a breath. Sit with your loved one. Hold their hand if you want to. Say goodbye. Tell them you love them. Cry if you need to cry.

Many families later say that the time they spent with the body before the funeral home arrived was among the most meaningful of their lives. This is ancient and human — being with the dead, witnessing the transition, completing the relationship.

Step 2: Call the Hospice Nurse

If your loved one was on hospice, call the hospice line. The nurse will come to pronounce the death — this is required for the death certificate. The nurse will also:

• Confirm that death has occurred and note the time
• Call the attending physician if needed to sign the death certificate
• Dispose of controlled medications (liquid morphine, etc.) per regulations
• Guide you through next steps

If your loved one was not on hospice, you will need to call their primary care physician or the county medical examiner/coroner, depending on your state's requirements. Do NOT call 911 unless the death was unexpected or there is a question about the cause.

Step 3: Notify Close Family and Friends

Call or text the people who need to know. Who was waiting to hear? Who needs to come to say goodbye before the body is moved? Make these calls before calling the funeral home.

Step 4: Call the Funeral Home (When You're Ready)

Once the death is pronounced and you have had time with the body, call the funeral home (or home funeral practitioners if you've pre-planned a home funeral). You choose when this call happens — in most states, there is no requirement for the body to be moved within any specific timeframe as long as it is properly refrigerated or otherwise preserved.

Step 5: Contact Your Death Doula

If you have a death doula, call them now if they are not already present. A death doula can help manage the flow of family and friends, support acute grief in those present, guide you through practical decisions, and ensure that the time with the body is peaceful and intentional.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to call 911 when someone dies at home?

Not if your loved one was on hospice or if the death was expected. Call your hospice nurse first. If the death was unexpected or you are uncertain about the cause, call 911. Police involvement may be required for unexpected or unattended deaths depending on your state.

How long can the body stay at home after death?

In most states, there is no legal time limit for how long a body can remain at home before calling a funeral home, provided proper cooling is maintained. Many families keep the body home for several hours to a full day. For longer periods, dry ice or professional cooling is needed.

Who pronounces death at home?

If on hospice, the hospice nurse pronounces death. If not on hospice, the primary care physician, a coroner, or emergency services pronounce death, depending on your state's requirements.

Can we bathe and dress our loved one at home?

Yes, in most states. Families have the right to wash and dress their loved one's body themselves — this is called home after-death care. A death doula can guide you through this if you wish to do it.

What does a death doula do immediately after a death?

A death doula at the scene helps manage the environment, supports acutely grieving family members, communicates with hospice and the funeral home, helps family make decisions about how long to keep the body at home, and facilitates any rituals the family wishes to observe.

Renidy connects grieving families with compassionate end-of-life professionals. Find support near you.