What to do if Someone Dies at Home

If a loved one passes away at your home, it can be important to understand the legal procedures for such a situation. Even if their death was expected, such as with a loved one living with a terminal condition, following this plan of action is generally recommended. The information below follows NYS guidelines as of September 2025.

Checking for Signs of Life

Before assuming the person is dead, you should survey the scene. It is always important not to put yourself in harm’s way first. This can be important in cases of electrocution or other accidental death. If there is no immediate sign of danger, you can approach. Check for a pulse and if they are breathing. Take note if the body is cold. 

Contact 911

Call 911, or instruct someone else to do so if you are going to perform rescue breathing or CPR. The only time you wouldn’t call 911 is if the individual was receiving hospice care, and you are certain that the individual has been dead for more than a few minutes. In that case, the hospice agency can take care of the situation from there. If the individual has been dead for more than 10 or so minutes, there is no real chance of resuscitation. When making the 911 call, inform the operator that the individual is deceased and that no emergency exists. If the individual was terminally ill, you should also note that the death was expected. 

Have the Following Information Ready

When emergency services arrive, you should have several documents available, if possible or applicable:

• The individual’s Out-of-Hospital DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) form
• MOLST (Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) form
• The name of the deceased’s primary care physician
• The name of the deceased’s preferred funeral home or crematorium, if already known.

When Emergency Services Arrive

Generally, both EMTs and police will be dispatched to a death scene. The EMTs will confirm the death and may ascertain the time of death. The police may determine if further investigation is needed. Especially if the individual was younger, the police may ask questions regarding the scene of the death. From there, the EMTs will prepare the body for transport. If you have chosen a funeral home or crematorium, the EMTs will transport the body there. Otherwise, they can bring the deceased to the morgue. Once a funeral home is chosen, your funeral director can contact the morgue for the transfer of the deceased.

After Contacting Hospice

For hospice situations, the service will send someone to declare the time of death. In these scenarios, a funeral plan is usually already in place. In these scenarios, the funeral home or crematorium is likely providing transport. Otherwise, the hospice organization will organize it.

Contact Loved Ones

Notify friends and relatives to organize a funeral. If your loved one had pre-planned their funeral, there is much less to determine in the situation. The funeral home will walk you through options for the service. Most families bring a few immediate family members to the funeral home to help with choosing service options. This often includes the spouse, children, parents, and siblings of the deceased.

Loss and Distress

Even if the loss is expected, the death of a loved one is never easy. If your loved one’s funeral arrangements are pre-planned, the process of organizing their service can be easier. If you are struggling with grief after the loss of your loved one, contact a licensed therapist or grief counselor for additional support. 

The author of this post is not a professional therapist or counselor. For more personalized grief care, find a grief counselor who is right for you. For our Grief Resource Center, written by Dr. Bill Webster, click here.

For over 50 years, Matthew Funeral Home has been serving the Staten Island community. We can help with almost every aspect of your loved one’s memorial service. Our family is here to serve yours, every step of the way.

Matthew Funeral Home does not provide medical, legal, or financial advice via articles. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide and should not be relied on for legal, financial, or medical advice.

This article was written in September 2025 and is based on information regarding New York State law. Depending on your state, county, or the time you read this article, the information and procedures may be different. Please check your state’s requirements for more up-to-date information.