PathAfter FAQ
Right after it happens
Focused answers for people handling the first days, paperwork, and follow-up steps after a death in California.
Start checklistCore after-death questions
What do I do first when someone dies at home?Call 911 if the death was unexpected or you are not sure what happened. If they were in hospice, call the hospice line first — they handle the next steps without sending police. Do not move the body. Wait for instructions before…Do I call 911 when someone dies at home?If the death was sudden, unexpected, or unattended — yes. If they were under hospice care and expected to die — call the hospice number first, not 911. Calling 911 on a hospice death can trigger a response you do not need…Who picks up the body after someone dies?A funeral home or cremation provider you choose. The coroner or medical examiner only takes the body if the death requires investigation. Once they release the body, a funeral home you contact picks it up. No one takes the body without your…How long can a body stay at home after death?Not long without refrigeration. In California, the body should be transferred within 24 hours in most situations. A funeral home can handle refrigeration. Do not leave this waiting more than a day without making a call.Who do I notify first when someone dies?The smallest circle first: the person who was closest, one person who can help make calls, and whoever was responsible for their care. You do not have to call everyone today. One steady person helping you is enough for now.What do I do if someone dies and I don't know who to call?Start with 211. Tell them someone died and ask who handles next steps in your county. They will route you. If it was sudden or unexpected, call 911. If they were in a hospital or facility, call that facility's main line and…Do I need a doctor to pronounce death at home?Not always. In California, a coroner or medical examiner can legally pronounce death. If they were in hospice, the hospice nurse can do it. If you call 911, a paramedic or physician will pronounce. You do not need to find a doctor…What happens to the body if I can't afford a funeral?You can ask about direct cremation — the lowest-cost option, usually $700–$2,000 in California. If you truly cannot afford anything, ask the county public administrator or coroner's office about indigent burial or county cremation. You will not be abandoned.Can the body be cremated right away?Not immediately. California requires a 24-hour waiting period after death before cremation. The cremation permit and death certificate must be filed first. A direct cremation provider handles all of this — your job is to make the first call.What is a direct cremation?The most basic option: transport, cremation, and return of ashes — no service, no viewing, no casket. Prices range from roughly $700 to $2,500 in California. Ask for the price list before agreeing to anything.What do I tell the kids?Tell them the truth in plain words appropriate to their age. "Grandma died" is better than "passed away" or "went to sleep" — those phrases confuse young children. You do not have to explain everything today. One clear sentence is enough for…Do I have to decide about burial or cremation right now?No. The body can be refrigerated while you take time to decide. Ask the funeral home about refrigeration-only options. Do not let anyone pressure you into signing immediately.Can I leave the house after someone dies there?Yes, unless police have asked you to stay. If there is an active investigation, follow law enforcement instructions. Otherwise you can leave — the coroner or funeral home will coordinate access.What if I don't know if they wanted to be cremated or buried?Look for a will, trust, pre-need funeral contract, or any written instructions. Ask close family members. If you cannot find anything, the legal next of kin makes the decision. You are allowed to make the call without documentation if you are next…Who is in charge when someone dies with no will?California has a priority order for who controls disposition: spouse or domestic partner, then adult children, then parents, then siblings. If no family can be found or no one steps up, the county public administrator may take over.Do I need to be there when the body is picked up?No. Someone should be accessible by phone, but you do not have to be present. Make sure the funeral home has access to the location and that you have confirmed the pickup in writing or by phone.What if someone dies in another state but lived in California?The death certificate will be issued in the state where they died. You will need to work with that state's vital records office for the certificate, but California may still govern probate and property. Call the county where they lived for local…What if I find someone dead and I don't know them?Call 911. That is the only correct first step. Do not touch or move anything. You are not responsible for what happens next — that is the coroner's job.What happens to their pets right now?Secure them immediately — today. If you can take them, do. If not, call someone who can. Animal services will take them if no one else can, but act before that becomes necessary. Getting them out of the home before it is…Can I post about the death on social media?Wait until close family has been told personally. Posting before someone hears directly is painful and hard to undo. Once close family knows, there is no rule against it — but consider whether the deceased would have wanted it.