The First Call: Who to Call When Someone Dies
Key Takeaways
- If the death is unexpected, unattended, or the circumstances are unclear, call 911 first.
- A physician, coroner, or care facility staff member must officially pronounce the death before the body can be moved.
- If the deceased had a pre-arranged funeral plan, locate it before contacting a funeral home — it will tell you exactly what to do.
- A funeral director handles body transport and can guide you through all the next steps — even if no planning was done in advance.
- Have 10 key pieces of information ready before making your first call (see checklist below).
When someone dies, the very first call depends on the circumstances. If the death was unexpected, sudden, or the cause is unclear, call 911. Law enforcement will respond and notify the coroner if needed. If the person died in a hospital, hospice, or nursing facility, the staff will handle the official pronouncement and can tell you what to do next. In most other situations, your first call should be to a funeral director, who can coordinate the body’s removal and walk you through all the arrangements — even if no prior planning was done.
If the deceased had a pre-arranged funeral plan, locate it before making any calls. The plan may specify a particular funeral home, burial preferences, and funding already in place. Contacting the wrong funeral home first can result in unnecessary transportation costs.
Who to Call When Someone Dies
| WHO | WHEN TO CALL | WHY |
|---|---|---|
| 911 / Law Enforcement | Unexpected or unattended death | Required by law; they notify the coroner if needed |
| Physician / Care Facility Staff | Death in hospital, hospice, or care home | To officially pronounce death and complete paperwork |
| Funeral Director | As soon as possible after pronouncement | To transport the body and begin arrangements |
| Family / Legal Representative | Before contacting a funeral home (if pre-plan exists) | Pre-arranged funeral plans must guide next steps |
| Coroner / Medical Examiner | Unexpected, suspicious, or accidental deaths | Required by law to determine the cause of death |
Who to Call When Someone Dies (Detailed)
1. Call 911 (Law Enforcement) — For Unexpected or Unattended Deaths
Who to call: Your local police or sheriff’s department (dial 911).
If you discover that someone has died and no medical professional was present, call 911 immediately. Law enforcement officers will respond, secure the scene if needed, and contact the appropriate medical examiner or coroner. Do not attempt to move the body before authorities arrive.
2. Call the Attending Physician or Care Facility — For Expected Deaths
Who to call: The deceased’s doctor, or the nursing home/hospice/hospital staff.
If the person died in a hospital, hospice program, or nursing facility, the staff will handle the official pronouncement of death. They will contact the appropriate physician to certify the cause of death and complete the death certificate paperwork. You do not need to call 911 in this situation. Ask the facility what your next steps are — they deal with this regularly and can guide you.
3. Contact Family Members and the Deceased’s Legal Representative
Who to call: Immediate family, the estate attorney, or the executor named in the will.
Before making any funeral arrangements, notify the deceased’s immediate family. If you believe the person had a pre-arranged funeral plan or a will that specifies burial wishes, contact the estate attorney or executor as soon as possible. A pre-paid funeral plan will include the name of the funeral home and the services already selected — following it can save significant time and expense.
4. Call a Funeral Director — For Body Transport and Arrangements
Who to call: A licensed funeral home or cremation provider.
A funeral director is responsible for legally transporting the body from the place of death to a funeral home or care facility. If no advance planning was done, contact a funeral home near the location of the death. You are not obligated to use that funeral home for the final services — but if the body needs to be transported to a different provider later, you may incur additional transfer fees.
If the deceased is to be transported to another city or state for funeral services or burial, a local funeral director must coordinate with the receiving funeral director. Interstate transport of human remains involves specific regulations and paperwork.
| Tip: Funeral directors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can call at any hour — you do not need to wait until morning. |
5. Call the Coroner or Medical Examiner — When Required by Law
Who to call: Your local county coroner or medical examiner’s office.
In many circumstances, the coroner is legally required to investigate the death before it can be certified. Law enforcement will typically notify the coroner automatically — you usually do not need to contact them directly. However, if you are unsure whether a coroner is required, your funeral director can advise you.
See below for a full list of circumstances that require a coroner’s investigation.
Information You Will Need When Making First Calls
Before you call the funeral home or other parties, try to gather the following information. Having it ready will make the first call faster and reduce the need for follow-up.
| INFORMATION NEEDED | WHY IT MATTERS |
|---|---|
| Full legal name of the deceased | Required for the death certificate and all official records. |
| Deceased’s home address (city, state, zip, phone) | Needed for legal documentation and notifications. |
| Social Security Number of the deceased | Required for the death certificate and government notifications. |
| Date and time of death | Needed for official records and the death certificate |
| Current location of the body | Facility name, address, and phone number so the funeral home can arrange transport. |
| Attending physician’s name and phone number | To coordinate the official pronouncement of death. |
| Your full name | So the funeral director knows who they’re speaking with. |
| Your address | For correspondence related to arrangements. |
| Your phone number(s) | Daytime and evening numbers so you can be reached quickly. |
| Your relationship to the deceased | Required for authorization to make arrangements. |
| What if you don’t have all of this information? Don’t delay calling just because you’re missing some details. Funeral directors are experienced at helping families gather information under difficult circumstances. Call with what you have — they’ll help you fill in the gaps |
What happens after the First Calls?
Once the first calls have been made and the body has been transported, the next steps typically follow this sequence:
- Schedule the Arrangement Conference.
This is a meeting with the funeral director to select services, discuss the type of service (burial, cremation, celebration of life), and review costs. It usually takes place within 24-48 hours.
- Obtain the Death Certificate.
Your funeral director will file for the death certificate. Request multiple certified copies — you will need them to notify banks, government agencies, insurance companies, and other institutions.
- Notify Government Agencies and Financial Institutions.
Contact the Social Security Administration, the deceased’s employer (if applicable), banks, and insurance companies. If the deceased received government benefits, these must be reported promptly.
- Manage the Estate.
If you are the executor, you will need to work with an estate attorney to probate the will (if one exists) and distribute assets according to the deceased’s wishes.
- Plan the Memorial Service.
Whether it’s a traditional funeral, a graveside service, or a celebration of life, the funeral director will help coordinate details, including venue, flowers, obituary publication, and printed programs.
When Is A Coroner Required?
A coroner or medical examiner is a government official responsible for investigating deaths that occur under certain legal circumstances. Their role is to determine the official cause and manner of death when it cannot be certified by an attending physician. In most cases, law enforcement will notify the coroner — you do not need to make this call yourself.
A coroner is generally required to investigate a death under the following circumstances:
| Circumstance | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Unattended death | No licensed physician was present at the time of death or in the period before death. |
| Unknown cause of death | No licensed physician was present at the time of death or in the period before death. |
| Unknown cause of death | A physician cannot determine or certify the cause of death. |
| Suspected homicide | Any circumstances suggesting the death may not have been natural. |
| Suspected suicide | Deaths that may have been self-inflicted. |
| Accidental death | Deaths resulting from accidents, regardless of setting. |
| Suspicious or unusual circumstances | Any death that does not fit a clear, expected pattern. |
| Death during medical procedures | Deaths occurring during surgery or other medical interventions. |
| Poisoning (food, chemicals, drugs) | Deaths suspected to involve toxic substances. |
| Suspected occupational causes | Deaths that may be linked to workplace hazards or exposure. |
| Contagious disease | Deaths suspected from diseases that pose a public health risk. |
| Drowning, fire, or similar causes | Deaths from environmental or catastrophic events. |
| Death in custody | Deaths occurring in prison or police custody. |
| Suspected SIDS | Sudden, unexplained deaths in infants. |
| Important Do not move the body or disturb the scene if you suspect any of the circumstances above may apply. Wait for law enforcement or the coroner to arrive and conduct their investigation. Moving the body before authorized personnel arrive can complicate the legal investigation. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Contributors:
Rick Paskin, Managing Director and former funeral home and cemetery executive.
Molly Gorny, Director of Digital Marketing and author of 100+ funeral industry articles and blog posts.
Last Reviewed and Updated by Molly Gorny: 05/26/2026
