Who to Call First When Someone Dies (Who to Notify When Someone Dies)

After a death, even simple actions can feel difficult: making a phone call, saying the words out loud, asking for help. If you’re searching for who to call first, you’re not looking for a perfect checklist—you’re looking for one steady step that brings order back into a moment that feels unmanageable.

This guide explains who to notify when someone dies in a practical sequence, and then connects those early calls to what many families face next: funeral planning, understanding how much does cremation cost, and—if cremation is chosen—choosing cremation urns for ashes, small cremation urns, keepsake urns, and cremation jewelry without feeling rushed.

The first call depends on where the death happened

The purpose of the first call is simple: make sure the death is legally confirmed and that you have guidance on what happens next. The “right” first call changes based on the setting and whether the death was expected.

If the death is expected at home with hospice

If your loved one was on hospice at home, your first call is usually to the hospice provider’s 24-hour number. The Hospice Foundation of America advises families not to call emergency services for an expected hospice death at home; instead, the hospice team can come, confirm the death, and guide next steps.

If you want a clear explanation of who can pronounce death at home and what typically happens afterward, Funeral.com’s guide to pronouncement of death at home is written for families in this exact situation.

If the death is unexpected or you’re unsure what happened

If the death is sudden, unattended, or unclear, call 911. Emergency responders can confirm the situation and involve the medical examiner or coroner if required. It may feel overwhelming, but it also protects your family by creating the official documentation needed for what comes next.

If the death happens in a hospital or care facility

In a hospital or nursing facility, staff will handle confirmation and guide you through immediate paperwork. You are usually asked who has legal authority to make arrangements and which funeral home should be called for transportation.

The next call that steadies the timeline: a funeral home or cremation provider

Once the death is confirmed, one professional partner helps with transportation, permits, and the start of the death certificate process: a funeral home or cremation provider. That first conversation does not have to include every decision. It can be as simple as arranging care and scheduling a time to talk through services and disposition.

If you need help staying oriented in the days ahead, Funeral.com’s checklist for the first week after a death focuses on what truly matters early (and what can wait).

Who to notify when someone dies in the first 24–48 hours

In the first day or two, think in circles: the people who need to know because they can support you, and the institutions that need to know because timing affects benefits, bills, or safety. Close family and a few trusted friends often come first—especially those who can help with childcare, meals, pets, or simply being present.

For Social Security, the Social Security Administration notes that funeral homes generally report deaths to Social Security, so families typically do not need to report the death directly unless a funeral home is not involved or does not report it. Having the person’s Social Security number available for the funeral director can reduce delays.

In the same window, you may notify an employer, insurers, and financial institutions. You don’t have to resolve every account right away; the early goal is to start the process so nothing important gets missed.

Cremation trends and the question: how much does cremation cost?

If cremation is part of your family’s plan, it may help to know you are not alone. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the U.S. cremation rate is projected to reach 63.4% in 2025. The Cremation Association of North America reports a U.S. cremation rate of 61.8% for 2024.

Families also ask, understandably, how much does cremation cost. Direct cremation (no viewing or funeral home ceremony) is often the lowest-cost option because it focuses on transportation, paperwork, the cremation itself, and return of the ashes. Cremation with a visitation or service includes more staff time and facility use, so the total can look closer to a traditional funeral.

If you want to compare options with fewer surprises, Funeral.com’s guides to average funeral and cremation costs and cremation cost breakdown explain common line items and the questions that help you compare quotes fairly.

Choosing cremation urns, keepsakes, and keeping ashes at home

When families start asking what to do with ashes, they are usually balancing two needs: safe custody and emotional meaning. Most providers return ashes in a temporary container first, which means you typically have time to choose a permanent memorial without rushing.

A full-size urn holds all remains. Small cremation urns are often chosen for a second household or a compact memorial space. Keepsake urns hold a small, symbolic portion—often used when multiple relatives want something tangible. You can browse Funeral.com’s collections for cremation urns, small cremation urns, and keepsake urns to get a clearer sense of size, style, and what feels right for your home.

If you want guidance before you browse, Funeral.com’s Journal article on how to choose a cremation urn explains what matters most: where the urn will live, what materials fit your home, and how to think about closure and security.

For many families, keeping ashes at home is the most comforting option—at least for a time. NFDA shares memorialization preferences on its statistics page, including that among people who prefer cremation, 37.1% would prefer their cremated remains kept in an urn at home. If home is part of your plan, Funeral.com’s guide to keeping ashes at home offers practical safety steps that help families feel settled.

Cremation jewelry, cremation necklaces, and water burial

Some families want one central resting place and one personal way to carry love forward. Cremation jewelry is designed for that: a sealed piece that holds only a tiny portion, usually alongside a primary urn. Funeral.com’s cremation jewelry collection includes memorial pieces made to hold ashes securely, and the collection of cremation necklaces is a focused place to start if you know you want a pendant. For a practical overview (including filling tips), see Cremation Jewelry 101.

If a loved one wanted a ceremony on the water, you may come across the term water burial, which often refers to placing ashes in a biodegradable urn that dissolves over time. Funeral.com’s water burial planning guide walks through the steps, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides burial-at-sea guidance under federal rules.

Pet urns: when the loss is a companion

The loss of a pet can feel quiet to the outside world and enormous inside your home. The practical question still arrives: how do we honor them well?

If you are looking for pet urns or pet urns for ashes, Funeral.com’s collection of pet cremation urns includes a wide range of styles. For families drawn to something sculptural, pet figurine cremation urns can feel especially personal. And if multiple family members want to share, pet keepsake cremation urns make it easier to create a shared memorial.

If you want guidance instead of browsing, the Journal articles Pet Urns 101 and choosing the right urn for pet ashes walk through sizing, materials, and personalization with care.

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