What to Do When a Death Occurs
The first hours after a death are disorienting, and most families have never had to handle this before. This guide walks through exactly what to do, wherever the death occurs. Whenever you are ready, call us at 713-273-6283 — we will explain the next steps and coordinate bringing your loved one into our care.
If the Death Happens at Home
If your loved one was under hospice care at home, call the hospice first — the hospice staff will handle the legal pronouncement of death. If the death was unexpected and no hospice is involved, call 911 and explain the situation; responders will guide you through the pronouncement process.
Once a pronouncement has been made, call Bay Area Online Cremations at 713-273-6283. We will arrange the transfer of your loved one into our care and walk you through the arrangement process from there.
In a Hospital, Nursing Home, or Hospice Facility
When a death occurs in a care facility, the staff there will make the legal pronouncement and can care for your loved one until transfer arrangements are made. Simply give the facility our name — Bay Area Online Cremations — and we will coordinate the transfer directly with their staff.
You do not need to make every decision that night. Take the time you need with family, and complete the arrangement online or by phone when you are ready.
Information We'll Ask You For
Gathering a few documents early makes the process smoother. To register the death and complete the cremation authorization, we will need:
- Your loved one's full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number
- Authorization from the next of kin
- Military discharge papers (DD-214) if your loved one was a veteran
- Any pre-planned arrangement or life insurance documents
- The number of certified death certificates your family will need
