Right after it happens
What do I do first when someone dies at home?
Short answer
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…
What this usually means
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 calling a funeral home.
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.