Special circumstances
What if they died during a natural disaster or mass casualty event?
Short answer
Contact local emergency management first. California's Office of Emergency Services coordinates mass fatality response. The coroner will be working through a process — give them time and provide all identifying information you have. A family assistance center is usually established near major…
What this usually means
Contact local emergency management first. California's Office of Emergency Services coordinates mass fatality response. The coroner will be working through a process — give them time and provide all identifying information you have. A family assistance center is usually established near major disasters.
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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.