What Happens After Someone Dies? A Step-by-Step Guide for California Families
When someone you love dies, it can be difficult to know what you're supposed to do next. Even when a death is expected, families are suddenly faced with decisions about transportation, funeral or cremation arrangements, death certificates, personal property, financial accounts, and many other details.
You don't need to handle everything at once.
Some decisions need to be made relatively quickly, while many others can wait. Understanding what typically happens after a death can make the days ahead feel a little more manageable.
1. Notify the appropriate person when the death occurs
What happens first depends largely on where the death occurs.
If the death occurs at a hospital or care facility
The hospital, nursing facility, or other care provider will generally guide you through the immediate steps. Once the appropriate medical procedures have been completed, you'll select a funeral home or cremation provider to take your loved one into their care.
If the death occurs at home while receiving hospice care
If your loved one is enrolled in hospice, contact the hospice provider first. A hospice nurse will typically come to the home, confirm the death, and guide you through the next steps.
Once the necessary procedures are completed, the funeral home can be contacted to arrange transportation.
If an unexpected death occurs at home
If someone dies unexpectedly and isn't under hospice or other appropriate medical care, call 911.
Emergency personnel and, when appropriate, the county coroner or medical examiner will determine what needs to happen next. Depending on the circumstances, the deceased may need to be taken into the care of the county before a funeral home can proceed.
2. Choose a funeral home or cremation provider
One of the first decisions the family will make is which funeral home or cremation provider will care for their loved one.
You do not necessarily have to use a funeral home simply because a hospital, nursing facility, hospice provider, or other organization mentions it. Families generally have the opportunity to choose the provider that feels right for them.
When making that decision, consider more than price alone. Ask what's included, how arrangements are made, what options are available, and who will be available if you need help.
3. Your loved one is transferred into the funeral home's care
Once you've selected a provider and the necessary authorization has been obtained, transportation can be arranged.
The funeral home will bring your loved one into its care and begin coordinating the arrangements with your family.
At Honor Cremations, our team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assist families when a death occurs.
4. Make funeral or cremation arrangements
During arrangements, you'll make several decisions based on your loved one's wishes and your family's preferences.
These may include:
Cremation or burial
Direct cremation
Viewing or visitation
Funeral or memorial service
Church or chapel service
Cemetery arrangements
Urn or other merchandise selections
Memorial keepsakes
Final disposition of cremated remains
There isn't one "correct" way to honor someone.
Some families want a traditional funeral followed by burial. Others choose a viewing or service followed by cremation. Some prefer a simple direct cremation and hold a memorial gathering later.
The important thing is choosing arrangements that are meaningful and appropriate for your family.
5. Provide information for the death certificate
The funeral home will collect information needed to prepare the death certificate.
Families are commonly asked for information such as the deceased person's legal name, date and place of birth, Social Security number, marital status, occupation, education, parents' names, and other personal information.
The medical portion of the death certificate is completed by the appropriate physician, medical professional, coroner, or medical examiner.
Once the necessary information and signatures have been completed, the death is registered with the appropriate government agency.
6. Decide how many certified death certificates you need
Families can order certified copies of the death certificate for legal and financial matters.
There is no universal number that every family needs. The appropriate number depends on your loved one's finances, property, insurance policies, retirement accounts, and estate.
Banks, life insurance companies, investment firms, retirement administrators, courts, and organizations involved in transferring property are among those that may require a certified copy.
We've created a separate guide explaining this in detail:
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need? A Guide for California Families
This is a great place to create an internal link to your first Resources article.
7. Notify close family, friends, and important organizations
You don't need to personally contact everyone immediately.
Start with close family and friends. They can often help notify extended family, friends, coworkers, faith communities, and others.
Over the following days and weeks, you may also need to contact organizations connected to your loved one's financial and personal affairs.
These might include:
Banks and credit unions
Life insurance companies
Retirement and pension administrators
Investment companies
Mortgage companies or landlords
Utilities
Credit card companies
Employers
Attorneys or financial advisors
Government agencies
Some of these matters can wait until after the funeral or cremation arrangements have been completed.
8. Locate important documents
When you're ready, begin gathering important records that may be needed to settle your loved one's affairs.
These might include:
Will or trust documents
Life insurance policies
Bank and investment statements
Retirement information
Property deeds
Vehicle titles
Marriage certificates
Military discharge documents
Prearranged funeral or cemetery documents
Don't worry if you can't find everything immediately. Estate matters frequently take weeks or months to resolve.
9. Take your time with belongings and personal decisions
Families sometimes feel pressure to immediately begin cleaning out a home, donating clothing, closing accounts, and handling every unfinished matter.
Unless there's a practical or legal reason something needs immediate attention, many of these decisions can wait.
Grief can make even ordinary decisions difficult. It's okay to focus first on the things that truly need your attention and return to everything else later.
You don't have to know how to do this
Most people make funeral arrangements only a few times in their lives. You're not expected to understand every form, deadline, or decision before you begin.
A good funeral professional should explain what's happening, answer your questions, and help you understand your options without making the process more complicated than it needs to be.
Honor Cremations serves families throughout San Jose and Santa Clara County, Walnut Creek and Contra Costa County, Burlingame and San Mateo County, and communities throughout the greater San Francisco Bay Area.
If a death has occurred and you need assistance, our team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help you understand what happens next.
