What to do

What to do when death is expected

There are many different decisions that need to be made when death is imminent. Most of the choices concerning burial can be made ahead of time and kept on file at a funeral home. You have the option of going over a complete list of services and items available to you and you may also pre-pay. For more information on what to do when death is expected, consult your local funeral home.

When a death occurs suddenly

When a death occurs in the home, at work or any place medical personnel is not present, you should immediately dial 911. You must clearly state the location, type of emergency, and if the loved one is apparently dead at the time of the call. Fire personnel and paramedics will be dispatched and, in most cities, a police officer or detective is sent to the location. Any death occurring without a physician or medical personnel in attendance must be reported to the police. You may want to call family, friends, or a member of the clergy to sit with you while the medical staff and police ask you questions.

If the deceased was recently treated for an illness or disease, you'll want to call his or her doctor. For those actively involved in a hospice or home health care program, the family members are given instructions and procedures to follow when death occurs. Instead of dialing 911, they will call a hospice or home health care staff member who will confirm that a death has occurred and will then call the mortuary and the physician on the family's behalf.