What to do when someone dies: the first 72 hours
As soon as possible, someone with authority must officially pronounce the death. This is often a doctor in a hospital or nursing home, or a hospice nurse.
First, the death must be pronounced
That person also completes forms on the cause, time and place of death. These let the death certificate be prepared.
If your loved one died at home, you do not need to move the body right away. Take the time you need.
Source: National Institute on Aging, What To Do After Someone Dies
Who to call depends on where the death happened
In a hospital or nursing home. Staff will handle the pronouncement. The facility may help arrange pickup. Tell staff early about any religious or cultural customs.
At home, with hospice. Call the hospice. A plan for what happens after death is usually already in place.
At home, without hospice, when the death was expected. Talk with the doctor, the local medical examiner or coroner, the health department or a funeral home about how to proceed. One consumer group advises having any Do Not Resuscitate order on hand if you call 911.
At home, when the death was unexpected. Call 911 right away.
In Oklahoma, a death not attended by a doctor for a fatal illness must be reported to the medical examiner. Other states have their own rules.
Then call the funeral home or cremation provider you choose. The body can be picked up when the family is ready, following local law.
| Where the death happened | Who to call first | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital or nursing facility | Staff are there. Then your chosen funeral home or cremation provider. | NIA |
| Home, with hospice | The hospice | NIA; FCA of the Finger Lakes |
| Home, expected, no hospice | The doctor, medical examiner or coroner, health department or a funeral home. Have any DNR order ready if 911 is called. | NIA; FCA of the Finger Lakes |
| Home, unexpected | 911, right away | FCA of the Finger Lakes |
Sources: National Institute on Aging, What To Do After Someone Dies; Funeral Consumers Alliance of the Finger Lakes, Death at Home (written for New York); Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, About
Donation decisions come first
Some choices must be made within hours.
If your loved one registered as a brain donor, their contact must be told within two hours of death.
If they enrolled in a whole body donation program, call the program right away. UAMS, for example, asks to be notified immediately.
Sources: National Institute on Aging, What To Do After Someone Dies; UAMS Anatomical Gift Program, FAQ
Telling Social Security
In most cases the funeral home tells Social Security for you. Give the funeral director your loved one's Social Security number.
If no funeral home is involved, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Have the name, Social Security number, date of birth and date of death ready.
Social Security takes death reports only by phone or in person, not online.
Social Security cannot pay benefits for the month of death. A payment that arrives the next month must be returned.
Survivor payments are covered in our separate Social Security guide.
Sources: Social Security Administration, What to do when someone dies; USAGov, Report the death of a Social Security or Medicare beneficiary
Ordering death certificates
You will need certified copies of the death certificate for many tasks. These include Social Security, banks, credit cards, life insurance and pensions.
Order them from the vital records office in the state where the death happened. Your funeral home can usually help.
You will need the date and place of death.
Our state guides explain how to order in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri.
Sources: USAGov, How to get a certified copy of a death certificate; USAGov, Agencies to notify when someone dies
A simple checklist
This list follows the order of the sources above. There is no need to rush every step. An expected death is not an emergency.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Right away | Make sure the death is pronounced. Call hospice, or 911 if the death was unexpected. |
| Within hours | Call any brain or body donation program your loved one joined. |
| When the family is ready | Choose a funeral home or cremation provider and arrange pickup. |
| When you meet the provider | Give them the Social Security number so they can report the death. |
| In the first days | Ask the provider or state vital records office for certified death certificates. |
| Over the next few weeks | Notify banks, insurers and credit agencies. |
Sources: Funeral Consumers Alliance of the Finger Lakes, Death at Home (written for New York); National Institute on Aging, What To Do After Someone Dies
Common questions
Who do I call when someone dies at home?
If they were in hospice, call the hospice. If the death was unexpected, call 911 right away. If it was expected without hospice, talk with the doctor, coroner, health department or a funeral home.
Do we have to move the body right away?
No. The National Institute on Aging says there is no need to move the body right away after a death at home.
Do I need to call Social Security?
Usually not. Funeral homes generally report the death. If none is involved, call 1-800-772-1213.
Where do I get death certificates?
From the vital records office in the state where the death happened. Your funeral home can usually help you order them.
What if my loved one wanted to donate their body?
Call the program right away. Programs need to be told quickly, and a viewing with the body is usually not possible.