When someone dies
An expected death is not an emergency. You can take your time. There is no rush.
There will be things to plan and manage in the future but immediately after a death is often a peaceful time - you may just want to sit with your loved one. It can help to have friends and family with you too.
Whether at home or hospital, the health care team that has been involved in the final days can help guide you through what’s next so feel free to ask them all your questions.
Government websites usually have detailed steps, such as the government of Ontario and BC in Canada, NIA in the US, and the UK government site.
If at home, you will usually have an EDITH (Expected Death In the Home in Canada) or POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment in U.S.) plan in place to dictate the steps. If death is expected, you do not require a coroner.
For an unexpected death, you should call emergency services (911 in Canada and U.S. and 999 in the UK) so the emergency team can quickly assess and support the situation.
Here are a few steps you may need to take shortly after a death:
Verify the death: If the person is in a hospital or hospice setting, the staff will verify the death and provide guidance on next steps. At home, you can check for signs of life such as breathing and heartbeat, and may want to call a professional to confirm that the person has died and provide a death certificate.
Notify the appropriate people: Notify next of kin, close family members, and friends of the death.
Obtain death certificate: Contact the lead doctor involved in the deceased’s care to obtain a death certificate. This document is necessary for legal and financial purposes and for the funeral home or crematorium.
Contact the place that will handle the body: Contact a funeral home,crematorium, or your preferred service provider to make arrangements for the body.
Next, you’ll likely need to:
Notify government agencies: Notify government agencies such as the Social Security Administration, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the Veterans Affairs office of the death.
Decide on service details: You may need to decide on the type of service and location. As you tell people about the death, they may ask about a service or funeral arrangements.
Take care of yourself and seek support: Take care of your emotional and physical well-being. Seek support from friends, family, a support group, or a therapist. Grief can be overwhelming and it is important to take care of yourself during this difficult time.
Your health care team and death care professionals can be a big help in the process. Palliative doctors, hospice workers, death doulas, and funeral home directors all specialize in this process and can be a big help in navigating the decisions and details around a death. Call the experts and lean on them when you need to.
This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.