What to Do When Someone Dies at Home in Utah

When someone dies at home, the first few minutes can feel disorienting. You may be unsure whom to call, whether you should move anything, or how soon funeral arrangements must begin.

The right first step depends on whether the death was expected and whether the person was receiving hospice care. If the death was unexpected, call 911. If it was an expected death under hospice care, call the hospice provider and follow the instructions of the nurse or care team. Once the appropriate medical or public authorities have been notified, you can call Didericksen Memorial for help with the next steps.

This guide explains what families in Utah can generally expect. It is not a substitute for instructions from emergency responders, hospice professionals, law enforcement, or the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner.

First, determine whether the death was expected

The immediate response is different for an expected hospice death than it is for a sudden or unexplained death.

If the death was unexpected

Call 911. The dispatcher will ask questions and tell you what to do while emergency responders are on the way. Even if you believe the person has died, allow trained responders to make the appropriate determination.

Do not move the person or disturb the surrounding area unless the dispatcher tells you to do so or there is an immediate safety concern. In a sudden, accidental, violent, suspicious, or unexplained death, law enforcement and the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner may need to evaluate the circumstances.

Utah's Office of the Medical Examiner investigates sudden, unexpected, violent, suspicious, and unattended deaths. Families do not have to decide whether a case falls within the office's jurisdiction. The responding professionals will make the necessary notifications and explain what happens next.

If the death was expected and the person was receiving hospice care

Call the hospice provider or on-call hospice nurse. The care team will guide you through confirmation of the death, required notifications, medication procedures, and the next call to the funeral home.

Follow the hospice team's directions before calling 911 or arranging transportation. Hospice organizations have procedures for an expected death at home, and the nurse can help the family move through them calmly.

If you cannot reach the hospice provider, follow the instructions in the patient's hospice materials or call 911 for guidance.

Call the funeral home after the appropriate notification

After emergency responders, hospice staff, or other authorities have completed their part and authorized the transfer, call the funeral home you have chosen.

Didericksen Memorial is available 24 hours a day at (435) 277-0050. You do not need to have every decision made before you call. The first conversation is about understanding the situation, confirming who has been notified, and coordinating the next appropriate step.

The funeral director may ask:

• The name of the person who died
• The address where the death occurred
• Whether the death was expected
• Whether hospice, law enforcement, emergency responders, or the medical examiner is involved
• The name of the attending physician or hospice organization
• The name and phone number of the family contact
• Whether any religious or cultural practices require prompt attention

If the person is in the care of the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner, tell the funeral home. The funeral director can coordinate with the office when the person is ready to be transferred.

What not to do before professionals arrive

In the shock of the moment, families often feel they should begin cleaning, changing clothing, gathering medications, or moving the person. It is usually better to pause and wait for instructions.

Unless a responder or hospice professional directs you otherwise:

• Do not move the person after an unexpected death
• Do not clean or rearrange the immediate area
• Do not dispose of medications or medical equipment
• Do not remove identification, jewelry, or personal items from the person
• Do not drive the person to a hospital or funeral home yourself

These precautions help preserve accurate information and allow the appropriate professionals to complete their work.

What happens after the first calls

The sequence varies, but most families can expect several practical steps.

Confirmation and official review

A qualified professional confirms the death and determines who has authority over the next steps. For an expected natural death, the attending medical professional may certify the cause of death. For a death within the medical examiner's jurisdiction, that office handles the medical investigation and certification process.

Authorization for transfer

Utah requires the appropriate documentation before remains are removed from the place of death. The funeral home coordinates the transfer after receiving authorization from hospice, law enforcement, medical personnel, or the medical examiner, as applicable.

Initial care and arrangement conversation

Once the person is in the funeral home's care, the family can schedule an arrangement conversation. There is no need to plan the entire service during the first phone call.

At the arrangement meeting, the funeral director will help the family consider the form of final disposition, the type of gathering or ceremony, obituary information, cemetery coordination when applicable, and the documents needed for the death record.

For a broader look at these decisions, read A Guide to Navigating Traditional Funeral Services.

Information that may be helpful to gather

You do not need to search for paperwork immediately. When you are ready, gathering a few records can make later conversations easier.

Helpful information may include:

• Full legal name
• Date and place of birth
• Social Security number
• Current residence
• Marital status and spouse's name
• Parents' names, including names before marriage
• Occupation and education information
• Military service records, if applicable
• The name and contact information of the attending physician
• Existing advance arrangements or cemetery information
• A recent photograph for identification or an obituary

Utah's Office of Vital Records explains that a death certificate must be filed within five days and before final disposition. When a funeral home is retained, the funeral director helps gather the required information and coordinate the filing. Families can review the state's death-record guidance for additional background.

You do not need to make every decision immediately

Some actions are time-sensitive, including notifying the appropriate professionals and coordinating care of the person who died. Many other decisions can wait until the family has support and clear information.

You do not need to know immediately:

• Every detail of a funeral or memorial service
• Who will speak or what music will be used
• The complete obituary
• Which photographs or keepsakes will be displayed
• How every relative and friend will be notified

A funeral director can help separate immediate responsibilities from choices that can be made later. That distinction often makes the situation feel more manageable.

Caring for yourself and others in the home

After the necessary calls have been made, focus on the people who are present. Ask a trusted relative, friend, neighbor, clergy member, or community leader to come if that would be comforting.

If children are in the home, use clear and simple language. Avoid euphemisms that may confuse them. Let them know they are safe, that adults are handling the necessary steps, and that questions are welcome.

There is no single correct emotional response. Some people cry, some become quiet, and some focus on practical tasks. Shock and numbness are common. Didericksen Memorial's grief support guidance offers additional resources for the days ahead.

Guidance for families in Tooele County

Families in Grantsville, Tooele, Stansbury Park, Erda, Lake Point, Stockton, Rush Valley, Vernon, and nearby communities can call Didericksen Memorial at any hour. Jay R. Didericksen can help clarify what needs to happen now and what can wait.

If a death has just occurred, call Didericksen Memorial 24/7 at (435) 277-0050. You can also review the contact and location page when you are ready.