What to Do When Someone Dies: A Step-by-Step Guide

When someone dies, the first call depends on the circumstances: call the hospice nurse or physician if the death was expected, or call 911 if it was sudden. Once a medical professional has confirmed the death, call a funeral home to arrange transportation and care. In Maryland, a funeral home must file the death certificate with the state within 72 hours, and most families order 10 to 15 certified copies for banks, insurance, and other institutions.

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If you're reading this because someone you love has just died, we're glad you found this page. There's no manual for this moment, and it's completely normal to feel unsure of what happens next, even if you've been through it before.

This guide walks through the practical steps in the order most families need them, so you can focus on your family instead of guessing.

Andrew K. Coffman Funeral Home has been serving Washington County families since 1898. This article will help you know what comes next.

If Death Just Happened: What to Do Right Now

Take a breath first. There is nothing you need to do in this exact minute, and you cannot get this wrong by pausing.

If your loved one was under hospice care or being treated for a known illness, call the hospice nurse or their physician. They will come to pronounce the death and help you understand the next steps. If the death was sudden or unexpected, call 911. Emergency responders will assess the situation and, if needed, notify the medical examiner.

Once a death has been medically confirmed, there is no rush to call anyone else. Many families spend a little time with their loved one before making any calls at all. When you are ready, you can reach us for guidance on when a death occurs, any hour of the day or night.

The First Calls to Make After a Death

After the death has been confirmed, a short list of calls typically follows:

• The funeral home you've chosen, or one recommended by hospice or the hospital
• Close family members who should hear the news directly from you, not secondhand
• The person's employer, if they were still working, to ask about final pay or benefits

You do not have to make every call yourself. It's common, and perfectly fine, to ask a sibling, adult child, or close friend to help notify others.

If you're not sure where to start, our immediate need help page walks through exactly what to expect when you call us, and our phone line is answered day and night, not routed to voicemail.

Arranging for Care and Transportation

Once you've made your first calls, the funeral home takes over the physical care of your loved one. This includes transporting them from the place of death, whether that's a hospital, a hospice facility, or home, and beginning preparations for whatever type of service your family chooses.

Embalming is never required by Maryland law. Families who choose a traditional viewing typically opt for it, while families choosing direct cremation or immediate burial often do not need it at all. Either path is available to you, and no one should pressure you toward one or the other.

What to Do in the First 24 Hours

Once the immediate calls are made, a few practical matters usually come up within the first day:

1. Decide on a funeral home, if you haven't already, and set a time to meet or speak by phone.

2. Gather basic information about your loved one: full legal name, date and place of birth, Social Security number, and marital status.

3. Locate any pre-planning paperwork. Many families discover their loved one had already made some choices known, which can bring real relief during arrangements.

4. Arrange care for dependents or pets who relied on the person who died.

None of this has to happen in a single sitting. Arrangement conferences are typically scheduled within a day or two, giving you time to gather what you need without feeling rushed.

Documents and Details You'll Need

Funeral homes and government agencies will ask for many of the same pieces of information, so it helps to have them ready:

• Full legal name, date and place of birth, and Social Security number
• Names of parents, including mother's maiden name
• Marital status and spouse's name, if applicable
• Highest level of education completed
• Occupation and employer, for the death certificate
• Military discharge papers (DD214), if your loved one served

If your loved one was a veteran, DD214 form, or other substantiating evidence, must be produced by the family so the funeral director can request military honors, including the folding and presentation of the burial flag and the playing of Taps at no cost to your family. If you can't locate the paperwork, tell us. We regularly help families track it down.

Many families also find it helpful to begin thinking about writing an obituary around this time, though there's no need to have it finished before your first meeting with us.

Understanding Maryland's Death Certificate and Cremation Timelines

Maryland has a few specific rules worth knowing, so nothing catches you off guard.

In Maryland, a mortician must file a certificate of death with the vital statistics office within 72 hours, under Md. Code Health-Gen. § 4-212. This filing is handled by the funeral home, not the family.

The easiest way to get certified copies shortly after a death is to ask the funeral home to order them at the time of death, and if you're the executor of the estate, you should ask for at least 10 certified copies.

If cremation is the choice your family makes, Maryland requires a mandatory waiting period between the death and the cremation itself, and the cremation must be authorized by a medical examiner. We handle this authorization directly as part of our cremation services, so it never becomes something you have to track down on your own.

If your loved one passed at Meritus Medical Center, Washington County's hospital and the region's only trauma center, the hospital staff will typically notify us directly once you've made your selection, which helps the process move smoothly from there.

How We Guide Families Through Every Decision

In our experience, the families who feel most at ease during this time are the ones who know they can call and simply ask, "what happens next?" without having to have all the answers themselves.

Every family who calls Andrew K. Coffman Funeral Home speaks directly with a licensed funeral director, most often Ryan Berger, CFSP, who has spent more than 30 years guiding Washington County families through these exact conversations. We walk through your options for funeral services, cremation, or memorial services, and explain what to expect at a funeral so nothing feels unfamiliar on the day itself.

Our location in downtown Hagerstown offers abundant off-street parking, something families often mention as one less thing to worry about when relatives are traveling in from out of town. If your family is drawn to a more natural option, we can also arrange Green burial through certified partner cemeteries, coordinated as part of the planning process.

A Note on Handling Financial and Legal Matters

Alongside funeral arrangements, a few administrative matters tend to surface within the first week or two.

Funeral homes generally tell the Social Security Administration when someone dies, so you don't typically need to report the death yourself. If a funeral home isn't involved for some reason, you'll need to call the Social Security Administration directly with the name, Social Security number, and dates of birth and death.

If your loved one's estate needs to go through probate, Washington County matters are handled through the Washington County Register of Wills, located at 100 West Washington Street in Hagerstown. Estates valued at $50,000 or less, or $100,000 if a surviving spouse is the sole heir, may qualify for Maryland's simplified small estate process. An attorney can advise you on which path applies to your family's situation.

A Note on Planning Ahead

Reading this after a loss is exactly the reason many families later decide to put their own wishes in writing. It spares the people you love from having to guess what you would have wanted, during a time when guessing is the hardest thing to do.

If this experience has you thinking about your own arrangements, our pre-planning resources walk through the process at whatever pace feels right, with no pressure and no obligation.

When and How to Reach Us, Any Time

You do not need to have every question answered before you call us. That's what we're here for.

Andrew K. Coffman Funeral Home is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (301) 739-1444. Whether it's the middle of the night or the middle of a Tuesday afternoon, a real person, not a voicemail, will answer and walk you through whatever comes next. Whenever you're ready, we're here. There's no pressure and no obligation, just people who know how to help. You can also contact our team online if that feels easier right now.

Frequently Asked Questions About What to Do When Someone Dies

What is the very first thing I should do when someone dies?

If the death was expected under hospice or a physician's care, call the hospice nurse or physician first. If it was sudden or unexpected, call 911. Once the death has been confirmed by a medical professional, you can call Andrew K. Coffman Funeral Home any hour of the day or night, and we will guide you through every step from there.

How soon do I need to call a funeral home after a death?

There is no set deadline, and you do not need to rush. Many families take time to sit with their loved one before making the call. Once you are ready, we can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we will begin transportation and care right away.

How many copies of the death certificate will I need?

Most families need 10 to 15 certified copies to handle banks, insurance, Social Security, and other accounts. Andrew K. Coffman Funeral Home routinely orders these on a family's behalf as part of arrangements, so you rarely need to request them yourself.

Do I need to notify Social Security myself?

Usually not. In most cases, the funeral home reports the death to Social Security directly, as long as you provide the deceased's Social Security number during arrangements. If a funeral home isn't involved, survivors are responsible for calling the Social Security Administration directly.

What if my loved one was a veteran?

Let us know during arrangements, and we will help gather the DD214 or discharge paperwork needed to request military funeral honors, which include the folding and presentation of the burial flag and the playing of Taps at no cost to the family. We coordinate this directly so you don't have to navigate it alone.

How does cremation timing work in Maryland?

Maryland law requires a mandatory waiting period between the death and the cremation, and cremation must be authorized by a medical examiner. Our team handles this authorization and paperwork as part of arrangements, so families never have to manage it themselves.