Right after it happens
Do I call 911 when someone dies at home?
Short answer
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…
What this usually means
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 and slow everything down.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county phone numbers for coroner, vital records, and local offices.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.