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When Death Occurs

Death in a Hospital or Nursing Home

When a death takes place at a hospital or nursing home, the medical staff will notify you as well as help you take care of all necessary legal steps. Be sure to inform the hospital/nursing home staff regarding the funeral home that will be handling arrangements or if one has not yet been determined. Once the funeral home has been contacted, feel free to inform them if the family will be waiting for the director, going home, or if there are family members still in transit to see the deceased before the transfer to the funeral home.


There might be some situations where a medical examiner will be involved. These include deaths in the emergency room or instances where an injury may have contributed to the death. In these situations, an autopsy or medical investigation may be required. The medical staff will inform you if this is the case.


Keep in Mind: Some facilities do not call the funeral home on the family’s behalf so be sure of who will be contacting them. Also, many hospitals will work with organ and tissue donation groups and often times, bodies cannot be released to the funeral home until the family has been in touch with a representative. Be sure to communicate yours or the deceased’s desires for donation with the medical staff or organization as soon as possible so as not to delay the process of transferring care to the funeral home.

Death at Home

Anticipated deaths that occur at home are normally considered a home care or hospice case. If applicable, contact the hospice representative to inform them of the death. They will help take care of all necessary legal steps. Once the representative has completed their required procedures, the funeral home will be contacted for transport and care.


In dealing with an unanticipated death, whether at home or elsewhere, 911 should always be called first. The emergency medical services personnel will determine a proper course of action and work with the funeral home to coordinate transportation of the deceased.


Keep in Mind: When a death occurs at home, the funeral home will be asking some questions to be better prepared to receive and transport the deceased. 


Some useful information to provide to the funeral home include:


  • If there are steps to or inside the house
  • If there is family waiting
  • If there is family who want to participate and assist in the removal
  • If there is family in transit to see the deceased before the transport occurs. 


If there are immediate concerns, questions, or needs, feel free to communicate them to the funeral home during the initial call as well.