What to do if a person dies at home?

The death of a loved one is always a severe emotional shock. In the first moments, it is easy to feel confused due to shock and grief. In such a situation, it is important to remain calm and follow a sequence of steps. This article outlines a general course of action that may help you orient yourself. Keep in mind that each situation has its own specific circumstances, which should be taken into account, and that it may be necessary to contact official services when appropriate.

Immediate initial steps

If you find a person at home with no signs of life, the first and necessary action is to call medical emergency services. Even if there appears to be no chance of survival, only a qualified medical professional is authorized to officially certify death.

• Call emergency medical services. Clearly inform the dispatcher of the address and the situation: “The person is unconscious and not breathing.” This is required to rule out conditions that may resemble death (such as a coma) and to officially document the situation.
• Wait for the medical team to arrive. Upon arrival, the medical professionals will conduct an examination and typically perform an electrocardiogram to confirm biological death. If resuscitation is not possible, they will issue a preliminary medical document confirming the fact of death.
• Call the police. In many countries, the involvement of law enforcement is a standard procedure when a death occurs outside a medical facility. Police officers are required to attend, examine the scene and the body, and rule out any violent or suspicious circumstances. Often, the medical team notifies the police themselves, but it is also possible to do this in parallel.

While Waiting for the Services to Arrive:

• Do not move or touch the body. This is important both out of respect for the deceased and for preserving the scene for examination by medical professionals and police.
• Preserve the condition of the room. Try not to move or clean anything. This helps specialists accurately assess the situation.
• If possible, keep the room cool. Depending on the season and conditions, you may slightly open a window or turn on air conditioning. This can naturally slow biological processes.
• Cover the body. The body may be covered with a light sheet or blanket. This is done not for medical reasons, but out of ethical considerations and respect—to shield potentially distressing details from view and to create a calmer environment for yourself and other family members.
• Prepare documents. Locate the deceased person’s passport and health insurance policy, as well as your own identification. This can save time during administrative procedures.

In a state of shock and grief, it may be difficult to communicate effectively and remember details. If possible, it can be helpful to assign administrative and organizational matters to one trusted person—a “coordinator”—from among relatives or friends. This allows you to focus on your emotions and supporting others, while the coordinator communicates with services and agencies and keeps track of timelines.

Next steps after death has neen certified

After medical professionals and the police complete their reports, the next stage begins.

Arranging transportation of the body

Transporting the body to a morgue is usually the next necessary step. Independent transportation is generally not permitted, so a specialized service is required.

Public (often free) services. These may be arranged by the attending medical team or the police. It is important to be prepared for the possibility that waiting times may extend to several hours.

Private funeral services (agencies). This is usually a faster option, with a vehicle often arriving within an hour. When using such services, it is advisable to consider the following:

• Verify the legal status of the service (license or official registration).
• Always sign a written contract clearly specifying the services provided and their cost.
• Obtain a document confirming the acceptance of the body and the time of transfer (such as a receipt or service order).
• The service staff can advise which documents issued by medical professionals and the police are required for admission to the morgue.

The morgue and autopsy-related issues

The next step usually involves visiting the morgue.

Obtaining the medical certificate of death

The medical certificate of death (sometimes referred to as a medical death statement) is a medical document that certifies the fact and cause of death. It is issued by a physician (a pathologist or forensic medical examiner) at the morgue or another medical facility where the body was taken. To obtain it, you will need to present documents previously issued by emergency medical services and the police, as well as, in most cases, your own identification and the deceased person’s documents. It is therefore advisable to prepare all documents in advance and bring them with you to the morgue. This medical certificate serves as the basis for obtaining the next, legal document. Without it, you will not be able to receive the official death certificate.

Possible autopsy

Depending on the circumstances, a pathological or forensic examination (autopsy) may be required to determine the final cause of death. This is not always mandatory, but in certain cases it is required by law.

• An autopsy may not be necessary if the person had a long-term serious illness, was under medical supervision, and the cause of death is clear and natural (for example, in cases of advanced cancer or chronic heart disease).
• An autopsy is required in cases of sudden death, when the person was not under medical supervision, or when there are circumstances that raise questions for the attending professionals (medical staff or police). It is also mandatory if there are grounds to suspect a violent death, an accident, or other unnatural causes.

If such an examination is ordered, the final medical certificate of death required to obtain the official death certificate will be issued by the morgue after the autopsy is completed. Refusal of an autopsy in such situations is generally not possible, as it forms part of the investigative procedure.

Obtaining the official death certificate

After medical procedures are completed and the medical certificate of death has been obtained from the morgue, you can proceed to receive the official document.

The official death certificate is the primary legal document confirming the fact of death. It is issued by a government authority responsible for civil status registration (this service may have different names in different countries, such as a civil registry office, Registry Office, Standesamt, and similar). In many countries, applications can also be submitted through local administrative service centers or government service portals.

To obtain the official death certificate, you will generally need your identification document, the deceased person’s passport or identification, and the medical certificate of death issued by the morgue.

It is this official certificate (not the medical one) that will be presented to banks, insurance companies, pension funds, notary offices, and other official institutions. As a rule, obtaining this certificate is a necessary step before organizing burial or cremation, as it is required to authorize these procedures.

In summary, you first obtain the medical certificate at the morgue, and then, based on it, receive the official death certificate from the state registry.

Organizational matters

Once the most urgent tasks have been addressed, attention can turn to organizing the farewell and burial. It is important to consider both formal procedures and personal beliefs.

Religious and cultural considerations. If the deceased or the family has specific religious beliefs, these should be taken into account when organizing the ceremony. For accurate information on permissible and recommended practices (such as attitudes toward cremation, timing of funerals, and ritual requirements), it may be helpful to consult a representative of the relevant faith—a church, mosque, synagogue, or community leader. They can also assist with organizing the religious aspects of the ceremony.

Choosing the method of burial. The decision between burial and cremation is made by the family, based on the known wishes of the deceased, religious or philosophical beliefs, and practical considerations. Consultation with a religious representative, as noted above, may help clarify acceptable options.

Selecting a funeral agency. Organizing all procedures independently during a stressful period can be difficult. You may choose to seek assistance from a funeral agency. Important! Work only with official companies that provide a detailed written contract clearly listing services and their costs. Do not sign documents or hand over money under pressure, especially if offers come from unfamiliar individuals who proactively approach you immediately after your call to emergency services.

Financial, legal, and administrative aspects

After resolving immediate matters, it is important to address documentation and financial issues. To avoid overlooking anything, it can be useful to divide these steps by timing: what can and should be done before the funeral, and what should be done afterward, once the official death certificate is available.

What can be done before the funeral (first 1–3 days)

These steps may help suspend ongoing processes related to the deceased and obtain prompt support.

Notify the employer. Contact the human resources department at the deceased person’s workplace. This is necessary to formally terminate the employment contract, calculate final wages, and clarify the possibility of receiving corporate assistance or insurance benefits, if applicable.

Secure the deceased person’s finances. Since banks usually do not take formal action without official documentation, you may:

• Locate and physically secure the deceased person’s bank cards to prevent accidental use or theft.
• If you had lawful access to the deceased person’s online banking (for example, through a power of attorney), you may temporarily block the cards through the online account. This does not replace official procedures but serves as an immediate security measure.
• Keep in mind that for the legal freezing of accounts, closing deposits, or receiving funeral expense compensation, you will still need to contact the bank later, after the funeral, with the official death certificate.

What needs to be done after the funeral

Once you have the official death certificate, you can proceed with the main legal and financial procedures.

Apply for a funeral benefit. In many countries, the state or social funds provide a one-time payment to the person who covered funeral expenses. Applications are typically submitted to the relevant authority (such as a pension fund, social welfare agency, or the deceased person’s employer) after the funeral, along with the death certificate and documents confirming expenses.

Contact insurance companies. If the deceased had life, health, or credit insurance policies, the insurers must be provided with the death certificate to open a claim and process due payments.

Initiate inheritance proceedings. To formalize rights to the deceased person’s property, heirs usually must contact a notary or similar legal authority at the deceased’s last place of residence within the legally established period (often six months). At this stage, matters involving bank accounts, real estate, and other assets are resolved, as well as the settlement of debts, if any existed.

This step-by-step approach helps address administrative matters systematically, without overwhelming yourself during the most difficult initial days.

Key principles for acting in a difficult moment

When facing the death of a loved one, keep several fundamental principles in mind to help you navigate the necessary steps:

• Give yourself time. Shock and confusion are natural initial reactions. Try to remain calm and focus on taking one step at a time.
• Leave death certification to professionals. The first and mandatory step is calling emergency medical services and the police. Only they are authorized to officially certify the fact of death.
• Protect yourself from fraud. During this time, intrusive “agents” may appear. Do not sign anything under pressure and do not hand over money or documents to strangers. Always use written contracts for paid services and request receipts.
• Do not remain alone. Managing organizational matters while grieving is a heavy burden. Do not hesitate to seek help from relatives or friends to share responsibilities.
• Proceed step by step. Do not try to resolve all issues in one day. Focus first on urgent steps (services, morgue, documents), then on organizing the farewell, and only afterward on financial and legal matters.
• Remember your psychological well-being. Taking care of yourself is not selfish. In the first days, talking with a trusted person may help, and later, consulting a psychologist who specializes in grief support can be beneficial.

This information is intended to help you understand the general order of actions. Specific details may vary depending on your place of residence and individual circumstances.