What to Do in the First 24 Hours After a Death

If you're reading this now, you've likely just experienced a loss. Before anything else, know this: you do not have to do everything today.

The first 24 hours after a death feel overwhelming. You're grieving while facing urgent decisions, unclear procedures, and conflicting advice. This guide focuses only on what truly needs to happen now, what can wait until tomorrow, and what varies by location.

Think of the first day in four parts: getting an official pronouncement, involving the right authorities, making a few essential notifications, and securing what matters most. Everything else can wait.

• An attorney for estate matters
• A financial advisor for benefit questions
• Medical or hospice staff for health-related concerns

Pronouncement requirements, coroner involvement, death certificate filing, and body transport differ across states and counties. When uncertain, ask hospice staff, hospital social workers, funeral directors, or your local coroner or medical examiner's office.

This information respects diverse preferences for memorialization. Choose what aligns with your loved one's values and your family's needs.

Determine the Situation First

In the first few minutes, identify two things: where the death occurred and whether it was expected. This determines who you call first.

Where did the death happen?

• At home with hospice care
• At home without hospice care
• In a hospital, nursing home, or assisted living facility
• In a public place

Was the death expected?

• Expected: terminal illness under medical care
• Unexpected: sudden, unattended, or the person seemed healthy

Your answers create your next step. This guide does not replace emergency services or local legal requirements.

Step 1: Get an Official Pronouncement

Before a body can be moved, an authorized person must legally pronounce the death. Who can do this varies by state, but pronouncement must happen first.

Unexpected Deaths at Home (Without Hospice)

Call 911 immediately. Emergency responders will assess the situation and may pronounce the death where state law permits. They determine whether law enforcement or the coroner or medical examiner must be involved.

Critical: Do not move the body if the death was unattended, sudden, suspicious, violent, or potentially criminal. The body must remain in place until authorities give permission. Moving it could interfere with investigation and may violate state law.

Expected Deaths at Home With Hospice

Call the hospice nurse first. In many states, hospice nurses can legally pronounce death for patients under their care. The nurse confirms the death, completes documentation, and guides you through next steps, including funeral home contact.

Deaths in Hospitals or Nursing Facilities

Notify facility staff immediately. Hospitals and nursing homes have authorized clinicians who pronounce death and handle initial paperwork. Ask the charge nurse, social worker, or patient advocate who will be your point person.

What Pronouncement Means

Pronouncement is the formal, legal declaration that a person has died. Authorized individuals vary by state and may include physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses on hospice teams, or coroner or medical examiner staff. Funeral homes typically cannot transport a body until this step is complete.

Step 2: When the Coroner or Medical Examiner Gets Involved

Coroner and medical examiner involvement is not about suspicion. It is a legal requirement in certain situations. Each state sets its own investigation standards.

Common triggers requiring coroner or medical examiner involvement:

• Violent deaths (trauma, injury, violence)
• Sudden deaths when the person seemed healthy
• Unattended deaths without recent medical care
• Deaths in jail, prison, or police custody
• Certain infant deaths, including suspected sudden infant death syndrome
• Deaths appearing suspicious, unusual, or unexplained

State systems differ. California and New York use county-based coroner systems. Virginia has a centralized medical examiner system. Coroners are often elected officials who may not be physicians, though many states require death investigation training. Medical examiners are typically licensed physicians qualified in pathology.

What happens next: The coroner or medical examiner may ask questions about circumstances, examine the scene, and sometimes transport the body to a morgue for autopsy or toxicology testing. This affects timelines. This involvement is procedural and does not automatically imply foul play.

Step 3: Contact a Funeral Home

Once the death is pronounced and authorities clear the scene (if applicable), contact a funeral home, cremation provider, or mortuary. This call usually happens within hours, but only after legal requirements are met.

Funeral homes typically coordinate:

• Body removal and transport
• Death certificate filing with vital records
• Obtaining certified copies for your use
• Social Security Administration notification (often)

Information to have ready:

• Full legal name of the deceased
• Date of birth and Social Security number
• Home address and marital status
• Veteran status, if applicable
• Next of kin contact information
• Any pre-arrangement details

Transport rules vary, especially with coroner or medical examiner cases. Funeral directors understand local requirements and guide you through the process.

Step 4: Notify the Right People

Focus on those who need to know immediately. You don't have to call everyone today.

Immediate Family and Next of Kin

Start with the closest decision-makers: spouse or partner, adult children, or anyone legally designated. Choose one point person to coordinate updates. This reduces the calls you make and ensures consistent information.

If the Person Was Working

Notify the employer within the first day if possible. Ask about final paychecks, benefits, life insurance through work, and human resources contacts.

If the Person Was Under Active Medical Care

If death occurred outside hospice or a facility, you may want to notify the primary care physician or specialists, though this is not urgent. The funeral home often contacts the physician's office to complete the death certificate's medical portion.

What to share: Time, date, and location of death. Immediate next steps. Who will provide updates.

Step 5: Secure People, Property, and Information

A few practical steps prevent additional stress and risk.

Care for Dependents and Pets

If the deceased cared for minor children, adult dependents, or pets, arrange care today. Identify who takes custody, gather medications and routine information, and ensure immediate needs are met.

Secure the Home

If the home will be unoccupied, lock doors and windows. Collect and safeguard keys. Ask a trusted neighbor or family member to watch the property. Pause mail or deliveries if needed.

Protect Valuables and Important Documents

Gather essential items respectfully and lawfully: wallet or purse, identification, phone, keys, and visible important papers like a will, trust documents, life insurance policies, or military discharge papers. If you cannot legally access certain areas, wait for proper authority. The goal is preventing loss, not making major decisions.

Digital Security Basics

Secure the person's phone and computer if you have legal authority. Avoid logging into financial accounts or making changes without authorization. You can note accounts needing attention later.

Set gentle boundaries about home access. Designate one trusted person to collect personal items.

Step 6: Start the Death Certificate Process

The death certificate is the legal record needed for banks, insurance, Social Security, probate, and more. Understanding the process now reduces later confusion.

Who files and when: Funeral directors typically file the death certificate with state or local vital records. The physician or medical examiner completes the medical cause of death. Most states require filing within 3 to 10 days. Washington state requires five days, but timelines vary by state.

Certified copies: Order about 5 to 12 certified copies, depending on affairs complexity. You need these for banks, insurers, government agencies, and probate court. Your funeral home can order them, or you can purchase additional copies from vital records later. Costs and processes vary by state.

What you can do today: Ask the funeral home about ordering copies, costs in your area, and typical turnaround. Decide your initial number. You can always order more.

Step 7: Report to Social Security

If your loved one received Social Security benefits, prompt notification prevents overpayments and allows discussion of survivor benefits.

Funeral home role: Many funeral homes report the death to the Social Security Administration. Confirm whether yours will. They need the person's Social Security number and basic information.

If you report the death yourself:

• Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778)
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time
• Have ready: full name, Social Security number, date of birth, and date of death

No strict federal deadline exists, but the SSA emphasizes reporting as soon as possible to stop payments and begin survivor benefit applications. If a payment arrives for the month of death or later, do not spend it. Contact the SSA or bank for return instructions.

Step 8: Decide Body Disposition

The first day requires only initial decisions about body care, not a complete funeral plan.

Care options:

• Burial at a cemetery
• Cremation
• Donation for scientific or medical purposes (where available, with proper authorization)
• Temporary holding at a funeral home or morgue while you decide

Service details, urns, caskets, and obituaries can wait.

If pre-arrangements exist: Look for paperwork, emails, or safe deposit information indicating prior arrangements or written wishes. Access these lawfully.

State requirements: Permits, waiting periods, and authorizations vary by state and disposition choice. Your funeral director explains what your option requires.

What Can Wait Until Tomorrow

You can safely set aside:

• Drafting obituaries or service details
• Canceling subscriptions, utilities, or routine accounts
• Notifying the Department of Motor Vehicles or credit bureaus (typically need death certificate first)
• Starting probate or estate administration
• Tax decisions or filing
• Planning memorials or celebrations of life

Safety, pronouncement, and a handful of key calls are enough for the first day.

Special Situations

Veterans

Veterans may qualify for burial benefits, survivor benefits, or memorial items through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Note veteran status with the funeral home. Start the VA process after initial arrangements. Contact regional VA offices or visit va.gov.

Infectious Disease Concerns

If the person had known or suspected infectious disease, follow public health or CDC guidance on safe handling and transport. The coroner, medical examiner, or funeral director coordinates according to health regulations.

Death Out of State or While Traveling

Additional jurisdictional steps may be required to transport the body across state lines. Funeral directors coordinate necessary permits and transfers.

Cost Concerns

Prices vary widely. You have the right to request itemized price lists from funeral homes or cremation providers. Comparing options is wise. Many areas have low-cost or community resources. Your funeral director can help.

First 24 Hours Checklist

1. Identify location and whether death was expected or unexpected
2. Call appropriate first contact: 911 for unexpected home deaths, hospice for expected home deaths, facility staff for hospital or nursing home deaths
3. Do not move the body if unattended, sudden, suspicious, or violent. Follow law enforcement or coroner instructions
4. Ensure authorized professional pronounces death (physician, hospice nurse, coroner, or medical examiner)
5. Contact funeral home or cremation provider for transport once cleared
6. Notify immediate family. Designate one point person for updates
7. Secure care for dependents and pets. Lock the home. Safeguard valuables and important documents
8. Ask funeral home to start death certificate process and order 5 to 12 certified copies
9. Confirm whether funeral home will report to Social Security. If not, call SSA at 1-800-772-1213
10. Make immediate disposition decision (burial, cremation, donation, or temporary holding). Service details can wait

You Have Done Enough

The most important tasks are manageable even when grief feels heavy: legal pronouncement, involving the right authorities, and making essential calls. State laws and agency procedures differ. Lean on professionals around you: hospice nurses, funeral directors, hospital social workers, and vital records offices.

For estate, benefit, and financial decisions, consult an attorney, accountant, or financial advisor. They guide you through probate, survivor benefits, tax obligations, and asset distribution according to your state's laws and the person's wishes.

When ready, you can address next pieces: understanding costs, writing obituaries, planning services, or obtaining additional death certificates. For now, take things one step at a time. Grant yourself permission to pause when needed.