The first 24 hours after a loss: a gentle checklist

When someone dies, the first day can feel impossibly long. There is no need to do everything at once. Most decisions can wait until tomorrow, or the day after that, and the people around you, including hospice and hospital staff, are trained to guide you through the immediate steps (Hospice Foundation of America, 2023).

If the death happens at home and was unexpected, call 911. Do not move the person or disturb the area; first responders need to assess the scene (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2024). If the person was on hospice, call the hospice agency first; a nurse can pronounce death at home and coordinate with the funeral home, which means law enforcement does not need to be involved (Hospice Foundation of America, 2023).

If the death happens at a hospital or care facility, the staff will guide you through pronouncement and paperwork. You do not need to know the next steps; they do.

Bills, mail, employer notifications, and social media accounts can wait days or even weeks. Do not let anyone rush you into decisions about services, burial, or cremation in the first hours. Funeral providers are required by federal rule to give you itemized prices in writing and over the phone, so you have time to compare (Federal Trade Commission [FTC], 2024).

Eat something, even a small amount. Drink water. Let people bring food. Acute grief is physically demanding and can affect sleep, appetite, and concentration for weeks (National Institute on Aging [NIA], 2022).

NextStep walks you through the next decisions in plain language, one at a time. You can pause at any point and come back later.