Can you touch the deceased at home?

Yes. You may touch the deceased, hold their hand and say goodbye in peace. In an unexpected death, however, the deceased should not be moved before the police or doctor have visited. In the case of an expected death, family members may participate in washing and dressing the deceased if they wish – this is an old Finnish tradition.

What does the police do in an unexpected home death?

The police come to confirm the situation and assess whether the cause of death is clear. This is a routine procedure, not a criminal investigation. The police may order a forensic investigation of the cause of death if the cause is unclear. The police record the event and give the family necessary instructions for further steps.

Is a death certificate needed immediately?

The death certificate is written by a doctor after confirming the death. After an expected death, the treating physician draws up the certificate. In an unexpected death, the death certificate may be delayed if a cause-of-death investigation is carried out. A burial permit, which the doctor issues with the death certificate, is needed for burial.

Death at Home – When a Loved One Dies at Home

Q: Who should you call when someone dies at home?

If the death is expected (hospice patient), call the home nursing service or the treating physician. If the death is unexpected, call the emergency number 112. The emergency centre assesses the situation and sends the necessary help. Police attend unexpected deaths – this is not a criminal investigation but standard procedure.

Q: How long can the deceased remain at home?

The deceased can remain at home for several hours after death. In a cool room, the body is well preserved for 6–12 hours. There is usually enough time to arrange the collection service. In hospice situations, transport has often been agreed in advance. There is no need to rush – you can say goodbye in peace.

Immediate actions

When a loved one dies at home, the situation can feel overwhelming. Remember that you do not need to act immediately – you can pause for a moment beside the deceased.

The first minutes

Stop and breathe – there is no need to rush
Assess the situation – has the person actually died or do they need resuscitation
Call the right number (see below)
Do not stay alone – call a loved one who can come to support you

Who to call

The party to contact depends on the nature of the death:

Expected death (hospice patient, long-term illness): call the home nursing service or the treating physician. Hospice patients usually have pre-agreed instructions.
Unexpected death: call the emergency number 112. The emergency centre assesses the situation and sends a paramedic unit or the police.

What to say on the phone

Address and floor
Who has died (name, age)
When the death was discovered
Whether the death was expected (illness, hospice care)
Whether there are other people present

Expected vs. unexpected death

The nature of the death significantly affects how the situation proceeds.

Expected death

When death is expected (hospice patient, terminal illness):

The home nursing service or on-call doctor comes to confirm the death
The police are not needed
The death certificate is written by the treating physician
Transport of the deceased has usually been arranged in advance
Family members can say goodbye in peace – there is no need to rush

Unexpected death

When death is unexpected:

Call 112 – paramedics will arrive
The police always attend unexpected deaths – this is standard procedure, not a criminal investigation
The deceased should not be moved before the authorities have visited
A cause-of-death investigation may be ordered (forensic examination)
The death certificate may be delayed during investigations

Resuscitation decision

If you are unsure about the death:

Begin resuscitation if the person is found lifeless and the death was not expected
Hospice patients usually have a DNR decision (do not resuscitate) – check the care instructions
The emergency centre provides resuscitation instructions over the phone
Resuscitation does not need to be started if death is obvious (rigor mortis, livor mortis)

Hospice care at home

An increasing number of Finns wish to die at home. Hospice care at home is possible and can be carried out with support.

Prerequisites

Successful hospice care at home requires:

The patient's own wish to die at home
Commitment of family members to care
Support from the home nursing service or home hospital
Adequate pain relief and symptom management
Instructions for the moment of death

Role of the home hospital

Regular visits to the patient
Doctor consultations by phone or remote connection
Planning of pain medication and symptom management
Guidance and support for family members
An on-call phone number available around the clock

Preparing for death at home

When death is approaching, practical matters should be agreed in advance:

Who to contact at the moment of death – home nursing or on-call doctor
Choice of funeral home – compare options in advance
Transport of the deceased – funeral home or ambulance service
Informing loved ones – who notifies and whom
Children and pets – who takes care of them at the moment of death

Signs that death is approaching

Breathing becomes irregular (Cheyne-Stokes breathing)
Level of consciousness drops, the patient no longer responds
Skin colour changes – extremities turning bluish
Body temperature drops, extremities become cool
Pauses in breathing become longer

Confirmation of death

Only a doctor can confirm death.

Doctor's visit

Expected death: the treating physician or home nursing doctor comes within a reasonable time
Unexpected death: the emergency physician or on-call doctor confirms the death
The doctor examines the deceased and records the time of death
The death certificate is drawn up after confirmation

Cause-of-death investigation

A cause-of-death investigation is needed when:

The death is unexpected
The cause of death is unclear
The death is related to an accident or violence
A medical error may be involved
The police consider an investigation necessary

Read more about organ donation and autopsy.

Caring for the deceased at home

Family members may participate in caring for the deceased if they wish – this is an old Finnish tradition.

Washing and dressing the deceased

Family members can wash and dress the deceased if they wish
This is a meaningful farewell gesture for many
Healthcare staff can advise and assist
The deceased is often dressed in their own clean clothes

Keeping the deceased at home

In a cool room (below 18 degrees), the body is well preserved for several hours
Turn off heating in the room and open a window
Flowers and candles create a peaceful atmosphere
Loved ones can spend time beside the deceased

Saying goodbye

Touching, holding hands and talking are natural
Children can be given the opportunity to say goodbye if they wish
Everyone may say goodbye in their own way – there is no right way
Allow all loved ones the opportunity to say goodbye before transport

Transport of the deceased

Transport of the deceased from home is usually arranged through the funeral home.

Arranging transport

The funeral home collects the deceased at an agreed time
Transport takes place in an appropriate vehicle
The cost is usually included in the funeral home's service package
Collection is also possible at night if necessary

Where the deceased is transported

To the hospital cold storage – if the death certificate has not yet been written
To the funeral home's premises – to await funeral arrangements
To the forensic medicine institute – if a cause-of-death investigation has been ordered

Practical matters during transport

The deceased is dressed before transport
Necessary documents are handed over (doctor's certificate, if available)
Transport staff act respectfully and professionally
Family members can be present during the collection

Emotional support

A home death is often a deep and personal experience.

Immediately after death

Give yourself permission to feel – shock, relief, grief, emptiness are all normal
Do not stay alone – call a loved one or friend
Eat and drink, even if you do not feel like it
Try to sleep, even if sleep does not come

The carer's grief

If you have cared for your loved one at home for a long time:

The carer's role has been demanding – fatigue and exhaustion are natural
Feeling relief after death is normal and not a cause for guilt
Reorganising daily life takes time
Professional support may be needed

Where to get help

Crisis helpline (MIELI ry): 09 2525 0111
Parish pastoral care: your local parish's on-call number
Health centre: your local health centre or emergency services
Grief support services offer longer-term support

Read more about what to do when a loved one dies.