What to Do in the First 24 Hours After a Death
Published: March 2026 Obitley Voices
In the first 24 hours after a death, the only tasks that truly must happen are: confirm the death with the appropriate authority, contact a funeral home to arrange transportation, and notify immediate family. Everything else arrangements, paperwork, service decisions can follow. This guide walks through each step so you know what is urgent, what can wait, and how to pace yourself through the hardest hours.
There is no right way to grieve. But there is a practical sequence to the first hours after a loss, and knowing it ahead of time can take some of the pressure off a moment that is already overwhelming.
You do not need to have everything figured out right now. You need to take the next step. This guide will tell you what that is.
Step 1: Confirm the Death
How the death is confirmed depends on where and how it occurred.
If the death happened at home (expected hospice or palliative care)
Do not call 911 unless instructed to by your hospice team. When a death is expected and the patient is under hospice care, the hospice nurse is your first call. The nurse will come to the home, officially pronounce the death, and coordinate with the medical examiner or coroner to complete the death certificate. This is normal. The body does not need to be moved immediately.
If the death happened at home (unexpected or unattended)
Call 911. Emergency responders will be dispatched, the death will be officially pronounced, and law enforcement may briefly investigate this is standard procedure and does not imply wrongdoing. Do not move or disturb the body before responders arrive.
If the death happened at a hospital, nursing home, or care facility
Facility staff handle the immediate steps pronouncing the death, completing preliminary paperwork, and notifying the medical examiner if required. You do not need to make urgent decisions while at the facility. Take time to be with your loved one if that is important to you. Most facilities will allow this.
Step 2: Contact a Funeral Home
Once the death has been confirmed, a funeral home needs to be contacted to arrange transportation of the body. You do not need to have made any decisions about the type of service, casket, urn, or arrangements. You just need to make the call.
What to have ready:
Full legal name of the deceased Location of the body (hospital name, home address, or facility name) Whether any pre arranged funeral plans exist A general preference burial or cremation if you have one (not required)
The funeral home will arrange transportation and hold the body safely while you take time to make decisions. A reputable funeral home will not pressure you to finalize anything in the first call.
Under the FTC Funeral Rule, funeral homes are required to provide itemized pricing on request you can ask for their General Price List during this call or shortly after (Federal Trade Commission, Funeral Rule, 16 CFR Part 453).
Step 3: Notify Immediate Family
Before anything is announced publicly, close family members should be told personally by phone, not text, and not through social media.
Who to notify in the first hours:
Spouse or partner Adult children The deceased's parents (if living) Siblings Anyone who was a primary caregiver or very close
Give each person time to absorb the news before moving to logistics. Extended family, friends, and coworkers can be notified once immediate family has been reached. Social media announcements should wait until all close family has been told personally.
Step 4: Secure the Home and Immediate Needs
If your loved one lived alone, a few practical steps should happen within the first 24 hours:
Lock the home if it is not already secured Care for any pets food, water, safety Pick up any mail or deliveries that would signal the home is unoccupied Notify a trusted neighbor if the home will be empty for several days
Do not begin sorting through belongings. There is no rush, and doing so too early can create conflict and regret. The home will keep.
Step 5: Take Care of Yourself and the People Around You
Grief affects the body as well as the mind. Shock is a real physiological response, and many people in the first hours after a death feel strangely numb, hyperactive, or physically unsteady. This is normal.
Practical things that help:
Drink water. Eat something, even if you are not hungry. Ask for help. Accept help when it is offered. Designate one person to handle incoming calls so others are not fielding the same conversation repeatedly. If children are present, tell them clearly and at a level appropriate to their age. Children cope better when they are told the truth simply and kindly (American Academy of Pediatrics; The Dougy Center).
You do not have to handle everything today. The only thing that cannot wait is being with the people who need you.
What Does NOT Need to Happen in the First 24 Hours
Families often feel pressure to do more than is actually required. These things can wait:
Finalizing the type of service Choosing a casket, urn, or flowers Writing the obituary Notifying banks, insurance companies, or government agencies Going through personal belongings Making any financial decisions Announcing the death on social media
The only non negotiable tasks in the first 24 hours are: confirm the death, contact a funeral home, and notify immediate family. Everything else follows.
A Quick Reference: First 24 Hours
| Task | Urgency | Notes | | | | | | Confirm the death | Yes urgent | Call hospice nurse (expected), 911 (unexpected), or wait for facility staff | | Contact a funeral home | Yes urgent | Transportation must be arranged; service decisions can follow | | Notify immediate family | Yes urgent | By phone, before any public announcement | | Secure the home (if applicable) | Yes soon | Lock up, care for pets, hold mail | | Notify extended family / friends | Can wait | After immediate family is reached | | Write the obituary | Can wait | Days 2 3 is typical | | Finalize service decisions | Can wait | 24 48 hours is fine | | Order death certificates | Can wait | Funeral home handles; order in Days 2 3 | | Social media announcement | Can wait | After all close family has been told personally | | Going through belongings | Can wait | No rush this week, next month, when you're ready |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to decide on burial or cremation immediately?
No. The funeral home needs enough information to arrange transportation and ensure the body is properly stored but you do not need to finalize service decisions in the first call. You typically have 24 48 hours to make these decisions without any urgency.
What if I don't have a funeral home chosen?
Call any licensed funeral home in your area to arrange transportation. You can compare options in the hours that follow. A few minutes of research before the first call is worthwhile if you have any time at all.
Do I need to be present when the body is removed?
No. You do not need to be present when the funeral home comes to transport the body. Some families choose to be there; others prefer not to. Both are completely appropriate.
Who officially pronounces the death?
A licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or coroner, depending on the circumstances and your state's laws. In hospice settings, the hospice nurse typically handles this. In unexpected or unattended deaths, law enforcement and the medical examiner are involved.
What if there is no money for a funeral right now?
Tell the funeral home your situation directly. Many will work with families on timing, payment plans, or lower cost options. Direct cremation is typically the most affordable option, ranging from $700 $2,000 depending on the provider and region. Some states also have low income burial assistance programs through county or state social services.
Should I tell young children right away?
Yes in age appropriate terms. Child development specialists and grief counselors consistently recommend telling children the truth simply, clearly, and as soon as possible. Children sense when something is wrong; honest information is better than uncertainty (American Academy of Pediatrics; The Dougy Center for Grieving Children & Families).
Need help writing an obituary? Use Obitley's free obituary tool. Need to find a funeral home? Search the Obitley Business Directory.
References
1. Federal Trade Commission. Funeral Rule (16 CFR Part 453). https://www.ftc.gov/legal library/browse/rules/funeral rule
2. American Academy of Pediatrics. Helping Children Understand Death. https://www.healthychildren.org
3. The Dougy Center for Grieving Children & Families. Helping Children When a Family Member Dies. https://www.dougy.org
4. National Funeral Directors Association. Consumer Resources. https://www.nfda.org/consumer resources