First steps: A loved one passes away
It may be your responsibility to make the "first call" when someone dies. The specifics of who you should contact will depend on the circumstances of the death. A local mortician can guide you through the process if you are unsure where to begin.
When Someone Dies, Who Do You Call?
Local law enforcement should be contacted when a person dies, and the death is unattended or due to unknown circumstances.
An attending physician, a coroner, or a medical examiner will be required to pronounce the death officially. If the death occurred in a hospital or other care facility, the staff would usually arrange for this.
Family members or a deceased's legal representative should be contacted if you think the dead had a pre-arranged funeral plan. If a plan exists, it will guide you in proceeding with funeral arrangements.
A Mortician can assist you in arranging for the body to be transferred from the death scene to a funeral home or comparable care facility. If no planning has been made, you can consult with a nearby funeral home, cremation service, or other providers. If the deceased did not specify a funeral service provider, it is usually best to contact the funeral home to handle the final arrangements. If the deceased must be moved to another service provider, you may be charged an additional transportation fee. Transfer arrangements must be made by a local mortician if necessary.
Below is the information needed by the first call mortician and other parties: