Losing a loved one is never easy. In the first moments after death, emotions run high, and the steps to take may feel overwhelming. Whether the passing is expected or sudden, knowing what to do immediately after a death can ease stress and help families begin the grieving and planning process with clarity and confidence.

A trusted funeral home will guide you through the next steps. Contacting them early ensures:

• Transportation of your loved one

• Discussion of funeral or cremation preferences

• Help with documentation and coordination

Dale-Riggs Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Toledo, Ohio is available 24/7 for immediate assistance.

The very first step is to have the death officially declared. This process depends on the circumstances:

• If your loved one dies at a hospital, nursing home, or hospice facility, the medical staff will handle this.

• If death occurs at home:

• Under hospice care: Call the hospice nurse.

• Not under care: Call 911. First responders will confirm the death and may transport the person to a hospital for official pronouncement.

A legal death certificate serves as official evidence of a person's death and is essential for registering the death, arranging the funeral, and settling the deceased's estate. Without this document, families may face delays in burial or cremation and in managing financial and legal matters tied to the deceased (Hall, 2004; Wolf, 2018).

Let immediate family and close friends know what has happened. You can:

• Ask someone you trust to help make calls

• Use a group text or email for efficiency

• Be gentle and clear, especially with children and the elderly

This emotional task can be draining. Don’t hesitate to lean on a support network.

Take care of any practical matters related to your loved one’s home and employment:

• Lock doors and safeguard valuables

• Care for pets or dependents

• Notify the employer and ask about final pay, benefits, or life insurance

These steps can wait a day or two, but should be handled within the first week.

Some loved ones leave behind clear instructions, either in a:

• Pre-need contract with a funeral home

• Will or estate plan

• Written or verbal end-of-life request

This can guide decisions about burial vs. cremation, service preferences, or organ donation.

This is when final arrangements are made. Prepare by gathering:

• Full legal name and birth/death dates

• Social Security number

• Military discharge papers (if applicable)

• Recent photo (for obituary or service materials)

• Clothing for burial or cremation

Funeral directors help families with service planning, permits, and death certificate requests during times of loss (Bi & Ploeger-Lyons, 2022).

You'll need certified copies for handling legal, financial, and government matters:

• Life insurance claims

• Bank accounts

• Title and deed transfers

• Social Security and pension notifications

You can request multiple certified copies of a death certificate—typically 5 to 10—through the funeral home or your local health department, as they often handle the ordering process for families (Wood, 1928).

There’s no "right" way to grieve, but accessing support early helps:

• Reach out to clergy or faith leaders

• Explore grief counseling or online communities

• Use resources like Dale-Riggs' grief guides, daily email affirmations, and children’s support materials

Grief is personal, and support makes the path easier.

In the fog of early grief, knowing what to do next can bring comfort and clarity. From legal steps to emotional support, each action brings families closer to honoring their loved one’s legacy.

At Dale-Riggs Funeral Home & Cremation Services, we provide compassionate, expert care during your most difficult moments. Proudly serving the Toledo, Ohio, community since 1912, we offer immediate assistance and personalized guidance for every family we serve.

For 24/7 support and funeral planning help, contact Dale-Riggs today.

J. Hall et al. "Completing a death certificate." BMJ : British Medical Journal, 328 (2004): s217 - s217. https://doi.org/10.1136/BMJ.328.7451.S217.

Sheryl Scheible Wolf et al. "Legal Perspectives on Planning for Death." DYING: Facing the Facts (2018). https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315800806-7.

D. Bi et al. "(Un)wanted and (Un)sought Services: Exploring the Funeral Industry Positivity and Rural Funeral Directors’ Destigmatization." Communication Studies, 73 (2022): 511 - 526. https://doi.org/10.1080/10510974.2022.2149583.

H. B. Wood et al. "WRITING THE DEATH CERTIFICATE." (1928). https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1928.02690460014007.