What to Do When A Death Occurs
When a death occurs, the loss of a loved one can make us feel emotionally overwhelmed. It can also be physically exhausting, especially after a long illness. No amount of planning can fully prepare you for the passing of someone you love, and even the most basic decisions can seem too much for what your mind and body are going through. If planning ahead, you should list your chosen funeral home with the appropriate entities. In the event of a death, we are here to help guide you through the coming days and weeks. These are the general guidelines for beginning the transportation process after someone dies. Having a family member or a close friend assist you during this time is also helpful.
When a Death Occurs at Home
If your loved one is under hospice care...
...contact the hospice nurse immediately. They will come to the home, make an official pronouncement of death, and contact the primary care physician, as a doctor must sign the death certificate. The hospice nurse will call the funeral home, and once the family has taken the time they need and is ready, we will initiate transportation.
You may call at any time to notify us that a death has occurred. A funeral director will assist with the next steps and discuss any arrangements on file with us.
If your loved one is not under hospice care...
...you must call 911. This is considered an "unattended death,” and the appropriate authorities need to be contacted. The police and paramedics will be dispatched and will notify the county’s Medical Examiner (ME). At that time, the ME may arrange to transport your loved one to the ME’s facility, where an examination may be performed to determine the cause of death. If your loved one has a history of medical condition(s) and their physician is willing to sign a death certificate, the deceased may be released into the care of the funeral home. The police, ME, and primary care physician make this determination. The ME must authorize the release of the body before Gentle Water Cremation can come to the residence and bring the person into our care.
If your loved one has had a history of medical conditions and the death appears to be natural, you may request a non-emergency response, meaning police and paramedics arrive quietly, without their emergency lights and sirens.
You may call at any time to notify us that a death has occurred. A funeral director will assist with the next steps and discuss any arrangements on file with us.
When a Death Occurs AT A NURSING HOME, HOSPICE FACILITY, OR HOSPICE IN A HOSPITAL
The care facility staff will notify you and the necessary authorities immediately after a death occurs. If Gentle Water Cremation is on record with the facility, the nursing home/hospice staff will notify us, and permission will be given to Gentle Water Cremation to receive your loved one into our care.
You may call at any time to notify us that a death has occurred. A funeral director will assist with the next steps and discuss any arrangements on file with us.
WHEN A DEATH OCCURS AT A HOSPITAL
If the hospital allows funeral homes to receive patients directly from the hospital floors/units, hospital staff will notify Gentle Water Cremation to allow us to receive your loved one into our care. If not allowed, the hospital staff will transport your loved one to the morgue, in which case the next of kin must sign a release provided by the funeral home. Once signed, we provide written permission to the hospital to bring your loved one into our care. If your loved one is in a hospital morgue, contact us to begin the release process.
You may call at any time to notify us that a death has occurred. A funeral director will assist with the next steps and discuss any arrangements on file with us.
