The short answer
Yes. When a death at home was not expected, police, an emergency crew and the medical examiner or coroner may come, even when nothing is wrong. Their questions are routine.
If your parent died in another state or another country, there are a few extra steps. One funeral home can often handle them for you.
This chapter explains how things usually work in the United States. It is not legal, tax or financial advice, and the rules where you live may differ. Before you act on anything here, check it with one of the people named at the end of the chapter.
What to do
- Call 911 if you are not sure your parent has died.
- Leave your parent where they are until the police or the medical examiner say otherwise.
- Answer their questions as plainly as you can.
- Ask who will have your parent's body, and how to reach them.
- Write down every name, phone number and case number.
- Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate if the death was abroad.
What can wait
- Choosing a funeral home, until you know when your parent will be released.
- Questions about the cause of death. You can ask the medical examiner's office later, when you are ready.
- Telling everyone the details. Family and friends can hear more when you know more.
Who can help
- The medical examiner's or coroner's office, and the funeral director.
- For a death abroad, the U.S. embassy or consulate in that country.
- If tonight is very hard: call or text 988, or chat at chat.988lifeline.org. All three crisis lines are on If tonight is hard.
The rules, phone numbers and web addresses in this book were checked against the agencies’, courts’ and organizations’ own pages in October 2026. Where a rule differs by state, the book names one state as an example. Check anything you rely on with the office itself.
From Book 1: The First Month
This page has the short answer and the closing lists from chapter 3. The full chapter explains, in plain words, what exists, what to ask, and who can answer. The book covers the first month after the death.
Questions near this one
Other questions on related subjects, from this book and the others.
- What do I do in the first hour? Book 1, The First Month
- How many death certificates do I need, and how do I get them? Book 1, The First Month
- Who do I call, and in what order? Book 1, The First Month
- Who tells Social Security and the other offices? Book 1, The First Month
Hear when The First Month is out
A short note when each book is out. Five or six emails a year at most. You can unsubscribe whenever you like.