First hours
What to do in the first 24 hours
5 minute read
Losing someone leaves little room for thinking. Here, in order, are the only things that truly need to happen in the first day.
The three essential steps
Have the death legally pronounced — by hospice or hospital staff, or by calling 911 if at home
Call a funeral home you trust — we answer day and night and handle the transfer into our care
Gather the first documents: ID, and any pre-arrangement or insurance paperwork you can find
Everything else — certificates, notices, service planning — can wait a few hours. We’ll walk you through each step, at your pace.
We’re here
A question about your situation? Call us at (555) 123-4567 — we answer day and night, with no obligation.
Keep reading
Who to notify when someone passes
At home, in hospital or in hospice care — who to call first differs. This guide walks through each situation.
Read →
Paperwork after a loss, week by week
Death certificates, Social Security, banks, insurance: a clear timeline of who to contact and what to send.
Read →
Understanding probate: the first steps
When probate applies, which documents to gather, and what timelines to expect — the essentials, without the jargon.
Read →