4 things that cannot wait

If the person died at home without hospice, call 911 or the person's doctor. A physician, hospice nurse, or coroner must officially pronounce the death before the body can be moved.

If hospice was involved, call the hospice line — they will send a nurse to pronounce and guide the next steps.

If the death occurred in a hospital or care facility, staff will handle the pronouncement. Ask for the name of the attending physician and the time of death for your records.

If you are not already at the residence, go as soon as it is safe to do so — or send a trusted person.

Lock all doors and windows. Collect any cash, jewelry, financial documents, and prescription medications you can see and put them somewhere safe.

Do not post anything on social media yet. An empty home that is publicly known to be empty is a target.

If the person lived alone, check whether mail or deliveries will accumulate visibly. Arrange for someone to collect them.

Call — do not text — the people who need to hear this from a voice. Spouse or partner, adult children, parents, and siblings come first.

You do not have to reach everyone right now. It is acceptable to ask one trusted family member to make calls on your behalf so you are not repeating the news alone.

Extended family, friends, and colleagues can wait until you have had a few hours to breathe.

If there are minor children in the home, make sure a responsible adult is with them now and through the coming days.

Pets need food, water, and someone to check on them — even if that is just a neighbor for today.

If the deceased was the primary caregiver for another person (an elderly parent, a disabled adult), contact that person's secondary support network immediately. Do not assume someone else has already done this.