Special circumstances
What if they died from a drug overdose?
Short answer
In California, a coroner or medical examiner will handle any overdose death. Cause of death will appear on the death certificate. Some insurance policies exclude accidental overdose — check the policy terms. Support resources are available for family members affected by a…
What this usually means
In California, a coroner or medical examiner will handle any overdose death. Cause of death will appear on the death certificate. Some insurance policies exclude accidental overdose — check the policy terms. Support resources are available for family members affected by a loved one's substance use.
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.