A Loved One Has Died – What to Do in the First 24 Hours
· 7 min read
The first moments -- pause for a moment
The death of a loved one stops time. Regardless of whether the death was expected or sudden, the first hours often feel unreal. It is important to know that most practical matters can wait. During the first hours, you only need to take care of a few essential things.
This guide walks you through step by step what happens during the first 24 hours and what you should do. Remember that every situation is different, and there is no single right way to act.
When death occurs at a hospital or care facility
If your loved one dies at a hospital, health centre, or care home, the staff takes care of the immediate actions:
- A doctor certifies the death and writes the death certificate.
- The staff notifies the next of kin if you are not present.
- The deceased is kept at the facility until the funeral home collects them.
You do not need to rush anywhere. You can spend time with the deceased for as long as you wish. Most hospitals and care facilities provide a quiet space for saying goodbye.
What you should do
- Notify the closest family members of the death.
- Ask the staff what happens next and when the deceased needs to be collected.
- Collect the deceased's personal belongings.
- You can call the funeral home the next day.
When death occurs at home
A death at home requires a few more actions from the family. The most important thing is to have a doctor come to certify the death.
Expected death in home hospice care
If your loved one was in home hospice care and the death was expected:
- Call the care unit -- the home hospital or hospice unit's on-call number. They will guide you through the next steps.
- A doctor will come to certify the death. This may take a few hours.
- The deceased can remain at home while waiting for the doctor. There is no need to call the emergency number.
Sudden death at home
If the death is sudden or unexpected:
- Call the emergency number 112. Describe the situation clearly.
- The emergency centre will send help -- paramedics and, if necessary, the police.
- If the cause of death is unclear, the police will visit and a forensic physician will investigate the cause of death. Do not move the deceased or clean the area before the authorities arrive.
Practical matters in the case of a death at home
- The deceased can remain at home for a few hours after the doctor's visit.
- The funeral home will collect the deceased at the agreed time.
- A cool room is the best place to keep the deceased during the waiting period.
Who to contact first
During the first hours, you only need to contact a few parties. The rest can wait for days or even weeks.
Immediately (first hours)
- Closest family members -- spouse, children, parents, siblings
- Doctor or 112 -- if the death occurred at home
- A close friend or support person -- someone who can be with you
The next day
- Funeral home -- arrange the collection and first meeting
- Parish or civil officiant -- the date and venue for the funeral
- Employer -- your own and the deceased's, to report your absence
During the first week
- Bank -- freezing the deceased's account and access rights for the estate
- Insurance company -- life insurance and other policies
- Kela -- survivor's pension and other benefits
- Estate inventory preparation -- the 3-month deadline begins from the date of death
Things that can wait
In the midst of grief, it may feel like everything needs to be handled immediately. This is not the case. The following matters can wait for weeks or months:
- Choosing and ordering a headstone
- Publishing an obituary (can appear at the time of the funeral)
- Going through the deceased's belongings and clearing the home
- Final settlement of inheritance matters
- Closing social media accounts
Documents and papers
During the first days, you will need some documents. Here are the most important ones:
- Death certificate -- written by a doctor, registered by DVV. You will receive the official death certificate from DVV within a few days.
- Deceased's identity document -- passport or ID card. Do not return these yet.
- Genealogical extract -- needed for the estate inventory. Ordered from DVV or the parish.
The funeral home will guide you with the necessary documents and handle much of the communication with authorities on your behalf.
Burial permit and timeline
The burial permit is issued by a doctor in conjunction with the death certificate. Without a burial permit, the burial cannot be carried out. According to the Burial Act, the burial must take place within one month of the death, unless there is a special reason for an exception.
In practice, funerals are usually held within 1--3 weeks of the death. The timeline depends on:
- Availability of parishes and venues
- Travel needs of family members
- Possible forensic medical investigation
How to take care of yourself
The first hours and days drain your energy in a way that few are prepared for. A few things that help:
- Do not stay alone if possible. Ask a close person to be by your side.
- Eat and drink, even if you are not hungry. Your body needs energy.
- Do not make major decisions on the first day. Give yourself time.
- Crying and emotions are allowed. There is no wrong way to react.
- The crisis helpline is open 24/7: 09 2525 0111. Call if your distress feels overwhelming.
The grieving process is individual, and there is no timetable for it. Read more about the stages of grief and the grieving process.
Checklist for the first 24 hours
Here is a summarised checklist you can print or save to your phone:
Immediately after the death
- Call a doctor or 112 (death at home)
- Notify the closest family members
- Spend time with the deceased, if you wish
- Ask someone close to support you
During the same day
- Collect the deceased's identity document
- Write down the date and time of death
- Notify your employer of your absence
The next day
- Call the funeral home
- Contact the parish or civil officiant
- Notify the deceased's employer
- Begin preliminary planning for the funeral
You do not have to cope alone
The death of a loved one is one of life's hardest experiences. Funeral homes, parishes, and support services exist for you. Do not hesitate to ask for help -- it is not a sign of weakness but a wise act in a difficult situation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to call the funeral home right away?
No. You can contact the funeral home the next day or later. The deceased can remain at the hospital or care facility for several days.
Who writes the death certificate?
The death certificate is always written by a doctor. At a hospital, the attending physician; in the case of a death at home, a doctor called to the scene or the on-call physician.
Can you touch the deceased at home?
Yes. You may touch the deceased, hold their hand, and say goodbye physically. However, if the cause of death is unclear, do not move the deceased before the authorities' visit.
What if the death occurs at night?
Call 112 or the home hospice care's on-call number. Non-urgent matters can wait until morning.
How soon must the funeral be arranged?
According to the Burial Act, the burial must take place within one month of the death. In practice, funerals are usually held within 1--3 weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to call the funeral home right away?
No. You can contact the funeral home the next day or even later. The deceased can remain at the hospital or care facility for several days before a funeral home is needed. The only urgent matter is calling a doctor to certify the death if it occurred at home.
Who writes the death certificate?
The death certificate is written by a doctor. If the death occurred at a hospital, the attending physician writes the certificate. In the case of a death at home, a doctor is called to certify the death. The death certificate is sent to the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV), which records the death in the population information system.
Can you touch or wash the deceased at home?
Yes, you may touch the deceased and hold their hand. For many family members, saying goodbye physically is an important part of the grieving process. However, you do not need to wash or dress the deceased yourself – the funeral home will take care of this later. If the death occurred at home under unclear circumstances, do not move the deceased before a doctor or the police has visited.
How is the death reported to the authorities?
The doctor reports the death to DVV through the death certificate. You do not need to report the death to the population register yourself. DVV updates the information automatically and notifies Kela, the Tax Administration, and other authorities. It is the family's responsibility to notify banks, insurance companies, and other parties.
What if the death occurs at night?
Call the emergency number 112 for a death that occurs at night; they will direct the necessary help to the scene. If it is an expected death in home hospice care, follow the instructions provided by the care unit – often a call to the on-duty nurse is sufficient. Non-urgent matters can wait until morning.
Read also
A clear guide to estate banking matters: the deceased's account, paying bills, bank-specific instructions and required documents.
Managing a digital legacy: closing social media accounts, finding passwords, saving photos, and creating a digital will.
The estate inventory must be conducted within three months of the deceased's death. Learn about calculating the deadline, consequences, and requesting an extension.