What to Do When Someone Dies at Home: A Practical Guide

Losing a loved one is one of life’s most profound challenges, and when that loss occurs within the home, the immediate responsibility can feel overwhelming. Whether the passing was expected due to a long-term illness or happened suddenly, knowing exactly what to do when someone dies at home is crucial for navigating the legal, medical, and practical requirements of the first 24 to 48 hours.

In recent years, the landscape of end-of-life care has shifted dramatically. For the first time in over half a century, statistics show that more people are dying at home than in hospital settings. In the United States, approximately 30.7% of deaths occur at home, while in the UK, home deaths rose to 28.4% in 2023. This shift places a greater administrative and emotional burden on family members and caregivers who must manage the immediate aftermath. This guide provides a structured, step-by-step framework to help you manage this process with clarity and dignity.

Immediate Steps: The First Hour

The very first actions you take depend entirely on the circumstances of the death. Your primary goal in the first hour is to ensure the death is legally recognized and that the proper authorities are notified.

If the Death Was Expected

If your loved one was under the care of a physician or enrolled in a hospice program, the death at home procedure is relatively straightforward. You do not need to call emergency services (911 in the US or 999 in the UK).

Instead, contact the hospice nurse or the individual’s General Practitioner (GP). Hospice workers are specifically trained to handle these moments; they will come to the home, confirm the death, and guide you through the initial paperwork. They also provide emotional support and can often contact the funeral home on your behalf.

If the Death Was Unexpected

If a death occurs suddenly or without a prior terminal diagnosis, the protocol changes. In this situation, the answer to who to call when someone dies is always emergency services. Call 911 (US) or 999 (UK) immediately.

When the dispatcher answers, clearly state that a person has passed away and whether you believe resuscitation is possible. If there is any doubt about whether the person is deceased, paramedics will attempt life-saving measures. If the death is confirmed, the police may also attend the scene. This is a standard procedure to ensure there are no suspicious circumstances and does not necessarily imply any wrongdoing.

Legal Requirements and Pronouncement

Before a body can be moved to a funeral home or morgue, a legal "Pronouncement of Death" must be made. This is a formal declaration by a qualified medical professional—such as a doctor, nurse, or paramedic—that life has ended. This document is the foundation for the official death certificate.

Understanding the Role of the Medical Examiner (2025 Update)

As of late 2024 and moving into 2025, the UK has implemented significant death certification reforms. Every death in England and Wales must now be reviewed by an independent Medical Examiner. This is a safeguard designed to ensure the cause of death is recorded accurately. Under this new system, the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) is sent directly to the registrar by the medical office, rather than being handed to the family to transport.

In the US, many states are migrating to digital systems like the Ohio Vital Records System (OVRS) to speed up the issuance of certificates. These digital shifts are intended to reduce the wait time for families, which historically could take weeks.

Securing the Premises and Logistics

Once the medical professionals have completed their initial assessment, and before the funeral director arrives, there are several practical logistics to attend to, especially if the deceased lived alone.

Immediate Property Security

• Secure Valuables: Safely store jewelry, wallets, and small electronics. While it is rare, the high volume of people entering and exiting a home during this time can lead to misplaced items.
• Lock the Home: If you are leaving the property to make arrangements elsewhere, ensure all windows and doors are locked.
• Pet and Plant Care: Arrange for someone to feed pets or move them to a temporary home. Check for any immediate maintenance issues (e.g., a running tap or a stove left on).

The Document Checklist

Managing the paperwork is often the most taxing part of the bereavement process. You will need a variety of documents to notify the government, close bank accounts, and claim insurance.

Managing the Digital Legacy

In 2025, our lives are as much digital as they are physical. A common oversight in the death at home procedure is failing to secure digital assets. By 2026, it is estimated that families will spend an average of 15 hours just managing the "digital ghost" of a loved one.

1. Legacy Contacts: Check if the deceased set up a "Legacy Contact" on their Apple or Google account. This allows you to request access to photos and personal data without knowing their password.
2. Social Media: You can choose to "memorialize" accounts on platforms like Facebook or Instagram, which freezes the profile but allows friends to post tributes.
3. Digital Executors: If the deceased had a digital executor named in their will, contact them immediately to manage online subscriptions and sensitive data.

Real-World Examples

Case Study 1: The Expected Hospice Death

Margaret passed away at home at age 84 following a battle with cancer. Because she was enrolled in hospice, her daughter called the hospice nurse at 3:00 AM. The nurse arrived within the hour, pronounced the death, and called the funeral home Margaret had chosen months prior. The process was quiet, respectful, and required no police involvement.

Case Study 2: The Sudden Event

John, age 55, suffered a sudden heart attack while in his living room. His partner called 999. Paramedics and police arrived. Because the death was sudden and John hadn't seen a doctor in six months, the case was referred to the Coroner. While this added 48 hours to the timeline, it ensured a clear legal cause of death was established before the funeral.

Case Study 3: The Lone Resident

Sarah was found deceased in her home by a neighbor. In this instance, the first step for the neighbor was calling the police. The police secured the property and notified Sarah's next of kin, who lived in another state. The family utilized a Funeral Planning Checklist to manage the logistics from a distance.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Rushing the Funeral Home Choice: You do not have to call the first funeral home you find on Google. Take 24 hours to compare prices and services. The body can be held at a hospital morgue or a coroner’s office while you decide.
• Giving Away Assets Early: It is a common mistake to begin distributing jewelry or personal items to family members before probate is granted. This can lead to legal disputes and complicates the official valuation of the estate.
• Forgetting to Stop Benefits: In the US, Social Security must be notified; in the UK, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Failing to do this can result in "overpayment" debts that the estate is legally required to pay back.
• Underestimating Death Certificate Needs: Many people order only one or two copies. In reality, you will likely need 5 to 10. Banks, life insurance companies, and the DMV/DVLA almost always require original certified copies, not photocopies.

Conclusion

Handling a death at home is a heavy responsibility, but by following a structured procedure, you can ensure that your loved one is treated with the respect they deserve while meeting all legal obligations. From the initial pronouncement to the complex task of settling the estate, taking things one step at a time is the best way to manage the emotional and administrative load.

For more detailed information on the weeks following a loss, refer to our complete guide to funeral planning or check how long after death a funeral typically occurs to help set your timeline.