When your loved one passes away at home, the moments that follow can feel completely still and completely overwhelming at the same time. You may not know what to do first, who to call, or whether you’re doing any of it correctly.
You are not expected to know. This is one of the most significant things your hospice team prepares you for, and when the time comes, we are here to walk beside you through each step.
This guide explains exactly what happens after a death at home, who to call, in what order, and what your hospice team takes care of so you can focus on your family.
You Do Not Need to Rush
The first thing to know is that you have time. A death at home while on hospice is an expected event, not a medical emergency. You are not required to call anyone the moment your loved one passes. It is completely okay to sit with them, hold their hand, and allow your family a few quiet moments before anything else happens.
When you are ready, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Call Your Hospice Nurse, Not 911
This is the most important call you will make. When a hospice patient passes at home, your first call should be to your hospice provider’s 24-hour on-call line, not to 911.
Calling 911 when a hospice patient dies at home can trigger an automatic emergency response, including paramedics who may be legally required to attempt resuscitation. This is almost always contrary to your loved one’s hospice election and their wishes. Hospice patients have a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order in place for this reason.
Your registered nurse is available around the clock and will come to your home to provide the support and care coordination your family needs in those hours. Our team is reachable at (720) 999-9854 at any time of day or night.
What the Hospice Nurse Does When They Arrive
When your nurse arrives, they will take care of several important tasks so you do not have to manage them alone. This includes:
- Pronouncing the death and documenting the time of passing
- Notifying the attending physician or medical director on your loved one’s behalf
- Contacting the coroner or medical examiner if required by Colorado state law (this is not always needed but depends on circumstances)
- Assisting with medication disposal, including properly disposing of any controlled substances such as opioids, per federal and state guidelines
- Collecting and returning any hospice-owned equipment, including hospital beds, oxygen, and other durable medical equipment (DME) that was provided through the hospice benefit
- Helping coordinate next steps with you and your family
Your nurse will not rush you. They will stay as long as you need them and answer every question you have.
Step 2: Call Close Family and Friends
Once your nurse has arrived and you feel ready, reach out to the people who should know. There is no script for this call. You simply share what has happened and let others begin to gather around you.
If your loved one had specific wishes about who to notify and when, honor those. Your social worker can also help you navigate family communication, especially if there are complicated dynamics or out-of-town relatives.
Step 3: Call the Funeral Home
Your hospice nurse will ask which funeral home you have selected. If you have prearranged services, now is when that relationship becomes active. The funeral home will send staff to transport your loved one when your family is ready, at a time that feels right to you.
If you do not have a funeral home selected, your social worker can provide local resources and options. In the Denver Metro area, there are many funeral providers who work closely with hospice families, and our team can help you find one that fits your needs.
You are not required to have the funeral home arrive immediately. Most families take an hour or more.
What Happens in the Days and Weeks After
The care does not end when your loved one passes. Under the Medicare Hospice Benefit, your hospice provider is required to offer bereavement support to families for up to 13 months following the death.
Our bereavement care team reaches out to families with check-in calls, written resources, and connections to grief support groups. If you are struggling in the weeks or months after loss, you do not have to carry that weight silently.
Grief looks different for everyone. Some families find comfort in community. Others need one quiet conversation with someone who understands. Our emotional support services are here for however grief shows up for you.
Our spiritual care team is also available to families who want support that goes beyond the clinical, honoring the meaning of the life that was lived and the love that continues.
A Quick Reference: Calls to Make After a Home Death
Here is a simple sequence to return to when you need it:
- Take a moment with your loved one
- Call your hospice nurse (on-call line, 24/7)
- Notify close family and friends when you are ready
- Contact your funeral home when your family is prepared
- Follow up with your hospice social worker for any practical needs, paperwork, or grief resources
Our Team Is With You Through All of It
Preparing for loss and navigating it in real time are two different things. What we hope you take from this is one clear truth: you will not be doing this alone.
Our hospice care team is built for these moments. Every nurse, social worker, chaplain, and aide on our team has chosen this work because they believe that how someone is cared for at the end of life, and how families are supported afterward, matters deeply.
If you have questions about what to expect, or if you are still in the process of considering hospice for a loved one, call us at (720) 999-9854 visit our contact page any time.