When someone dies in Pennsylvania, call 911 if the death was unexpected, or hospice or the attending physician if it was expected. From there, a funeral home can be called right away to transfer your loved one into their care and begin handling the paperwork. Pennsylvania law gives you time: there is no requirement to decide anything else in the first hours.
If you're reading this in the middle of a hard night, or you're simply trying to understand what comes next before it happens, you're doing the right thing by looking this up now.
There's no one "correct" order to feel things in right now, and no need to have every answer immediately.
Raffeo-DiCecco Memorial Home has been helping Norristown and Montgomery County families through this for 75 years. This guide will walk you through what to do when a loved one passes away, one step at a time.
Who to Call First When a Death Happens
Who you call first depends on where the death occurred.
If your loved one died at home and the death was unexpected, call 911. Emergency responders will need to confirm what happened before anyone else can be contacted.
If the death was expected, such as under hospice care or with a known terminal illness, call the hospice nurse or the attending physician first. They can confirm the death and guide the next steps without an emergency response.
If the death happened in a hospital or care facility, like Jefferson Einstein Montgomery Hospital or a local nursing facility, the staff on site will handle pronouncement and next steps automatically.
Once pronouncement is handled, call our funeral services
team. We can usually come at any hour.
What Happens in the First Hour
In that first hour, very little is actually required of you. A physician, hospice nurse, or medical examiner confirms the death. If you've chosen a funeral home already, they can be called to begin coordinating transportation.
There's no rush to notify anyone else yet, and no paperwork that has to be filled out on the spot. Take the time you need before making other calls.
Steps to Take in the First 24 Hours
Once the immediate moment has passed, a few practical steps typically follow within the first day:
- Contact a funeral home to arrange transportation and begin the arrangement conference
- Notify close family members and anyone who needs to make travel plans
- Locate any pre-planning paperwork, a will, or notes about your loved one's wishes
- Decide whether a viewing, traditional funeral, or cremation service fits the family's needs
- Reach out to an employer or close friends who may need early notice
Pennsylvania does not require cremation to happen immediately. State law requires a waiting period of at least 24 hours after the time of death before cremation can take place, which gives families breathing room to make decisions without feeling rushed.
Documents and Paperwork You'll Need
Pennsylvania requires a death certificate to be filed, and the responsibility for filing it falls on the funeral director, not the family. Pennsylvania law calls for the certificate to be filed with the local registrar within 96 hours of death.
To help the process move smoothly, it's useful to gather:
- The decedent's Social Security number
- Military discharge papers, if applicable, for veterans services
and burial benefits
- Any pre-planning documents or insurance policies
- Names and birthplaces of parents, if known
A funeral director will guide you through exactly what's needed. You don't need to arrive with everything figured out.
How a Funeral Home Takes Over From Here
Once you've made that first call, a funeral home takes on most of the logistical weight. We transport your loved one into our care, file the death certificate with the local registrar, obtain the required disposition permit, and coordinate with the cemetery or crematory on your behalf.
We'll also talk through options for a traditional service, a cremation with or without a memorial, or a life-celebrant-led celebration of life, along with personal touches like tribute videos or livestreaming for family who can't travel. When a loved one passes away, our team walks beside you through every decision, at whatever pace you need.
Give Yourself Time Before Deciding Everything
Not every decision needs to be made today. Choosing between burial and cremation, writing an obituary, or planning a service date can wait a day or two if that's what your family needs.
If grief feels overwhelming in these early days, grief support resources
are available, and there's no wrong way to move through this.
Frequently Asked Questions About What to Do When Someone Dies in Pennsylvania
What is the first thing I should do when someone dies at home?
Call 911 if the death was sudden or unexpected. If your loved one was under hospice care, call the hospice nurse instead, since they can pronounce death without emergency responders. Once pronouncement is handled, call a funeral home to begin arranging transportation and next steps.
Do I have to call a funeral home right away?
You don't have to call immediately, but it helps to call once pronouncement is complete, especially overnight. Raffeo-DiCecco Memorial Home is available 24 hours a day, so there's no need to wait until morning. Calling early simply gives you more time later to make unhurried decisions.
How long do I have to plan a funeral in Pennsylvania?
There's no strict legal deadline to hold a funeral in Pennsylvania. Most families schedule a service within a week or two of the death, but cremation and burial can both be delayed if family members need travel time. Your funeral director can help you find a timeline that works.
Who is responsible for filing the death certificate in Pennsylvania?
The funeral director, or person in charge of final arrangements, is responsible for filing the death certificate, not the family. Pennsylvania law calls for it to be filed within 96 hours of death, and the funeral home handles that filing as part of the arrangement process.
What documents will I need to plan a funeral?
You'll typically need the decedent's Social Security number, any military discharge paperwork for veterans benefits, and pre-planning documents if they exist. A funeral director will tell you exactly what's required and can often track down missing information on your behalf, so don't worry if you don't have everything right away.
Is there a waiting period before cremation in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania law requires a minimum waiting period of 24 hours from the time of death before cremation can occur. This isn't meant to slow you down; it simply ensures families have a moment to confirm their decision before it becomes final.
Whenever you're ready to talk, we're here, day or night. reach our team 24/7
by phone at (610) 630-3259, or we can walk you through options for serving Montgomery County families right over the phone. There's no pressure and no obligation, just people nearby who know how to help.
