In the first hour after a death, the only essential steps are to get a legal pronouncement of death, contact the right people for the setting you are in, and avoid moving or removing anything until you have authority to do so. Almost everything else can wait. If you are reading this in the immediate aftermath, take a breath: there is no decision in this hour that requires rushing beyond the pronouncement itself. This guide walks you through exactly what to do, calmly and in order.
A note before you start: what happens first depends on where the death occurred. The steps below cover the three most common settings.
Step 1: Get a legal pronouncement of death
Nothing official can proceed, including funeral arrangements, transport, or paperwork, until the death is formally pronounced and certified. Who you call depends on the setting.
- If the person was in hospice care at home, call the hospice agency. A hospice nurse will come to pronounce the death and guide you, and you do not need to call 911.
- If the death happened at home and was expected but without hospice, call the person’s physician or 911 and explain the situation, including any do-not-resuscitate order.
- If the death was unexpected or unattended, call 911. Emergency responders or a medical examiner will determine next steps, which may include an investigation.
- If the death occurred in a hospital or care facility, the staff handle the pronouncement, and you can move directly to notifying close family.
The pronouncement is the one thing that genuinely belongs in this first hour.
Step 2: Take a moment before you act
Once the pronouncement is underway or complete, give yourself permission to pause. You can sit with the person, say what you need to say, and let the reality begin to settle before any logistics. There is no rule that requires you to start making calls or decisions immediately, and acting from the first wave of shock rarely leads to good choices. The people and tasks ahead can wait a little while.
Step 3: Do not move or remove anything
This is the most important “do not” of the first hour. Before anyone begins tidying, gathering keepsakes, or clearing the area, stop. Do not throw away papers or medications, do not let visitors take items home, and do not begin going through belongings. If the death is being investigated, the scene may need to remain undisturbed for authorities. Beyond that, everything in the home is potentially part of the estate, and premature removal can create legal complications and family conflict later. Securing the space comes soon, but not by emptying it.
Step 4: Notify only the closest people
Within this first stretch, tell only the few people who must know right away and who would want to hear it directly from you. You are not obligated to inform everyone immediately, and pacing the news protects both you and the people who deserve a personal call. It also helps to designate one person to begin coordinating, so that the responsibility does not fall entirely on one grieving individual.
What can wait until later
It helps to know what you do not have to handle in the first hour, so you can let it go for now:
- Choosing a funeral home or arranging transport of the body.
- Ordering death certificates.
- Notifying banks, employers, or government agencies.
- Posting any public or social media announcement.
- Searching for the will or estate documents.
- Any decision about the home, finances, or belongings.
Each of these has its own right time in the days ahead, and none belongs in the first hour.
A simple first-hour checklist
- Get a legal pronouncement by calling the right party for your setting.
- Pause, and allow yourself and others to be present.
- Leave the space and belongings undisturbed.
- Tell only the closest people, and name a point person.
- Let everything else wait until you are ready.
Frequently asked questions
Do I call 911 when someone dies at home? It depends. If the person was in hospice care, call the hospice agency rather than 911. If the death was expected but not under hospice, call the physician or 911 and explain. If the death was unexpected or unattended, call 911. In a hospital or facility, staff handle it.
What happens right after someone is pronounced dead at home? After the pronouncement, the body can be released to a funeral home or crematory you choose, and you will arrange transport. There is no need to make that choice in the first hour, and the body can remain until you are ready to proceed, especially under hospice care.
Should I move the body or clean up? No. Leave the body and the surroundings undisturbed until the pronouncement is complete and, if applicable, any investigation is finished. Avoid removing or discarding belongings, which may be part of the estate.
Who do I have to call first when someone dies? First, the party who can pronounce the death (hospice, physician, or 911, depending on the setting). After that, notify only the closest family and friends, and consider naming one person to help coordinate.
You don’t have to navigate this alone
The hours after a death are disorienting, and knowing the right next step at each moment removes an enormous weight. Otherside guides families through the entire timeline, starting with the very first hour, with a clear checklist and concierge support. See how Otherside helps.
Sources
- National Institute on Aging: what to do after someone dies
- National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization
This article is for general educational purposes and is not legal or medical advice. Procedures vary by state and setting. Otherside provides coordination; regulated services are delivered by licensed third-party providers.
