What to do After a Death

What to do After a Death

When someone you love is receiving hospice care, anticipating their passing can feel overwhelming.

At Hospicare, we are here to walk with you through every step of that journey, including what happens after your loved one dies.

During care, your primary nurse will explain what to expect and help you recognize changes that may indicate the time is near. When death does occur, please call us—no matter the time of day or night—at 607-272-0212. A nurse will come to the home to confirm the death and guide you through the next steps.

We’ll notify the funeral home, primary care physician, and medical director, and arrange for medical equipment and supplies to be picked up. You won’t need to manage any of those details—you can simply focus on being with your family.

patients talking in hospice room

Funeral Planning Support

Our social workers and spiritual care coordinators are available to help you think through funeral options and prepare for what comes next. We’re here to support your emotional and practical needs during this time. The New York State Department of Health offers a helpful Consumer’s Guide to Funeral Planning that explains your rights and terms you may encounter.
As you begin planning, here are a few questions to consider:

  • Is there a preferred funeral home? (New York law requires a licensed funeral director to handle care and transportation.)
  • Does your loved one wish to be buried or cremated?
  • If burial, do you already have a plot or preferred cemetery?
  • If cremated, what should be done with their ashes?
  • Would you like to hold a service now or later? At a gravesite or another location?
  • Is there a clergy member or individual you’d like to lead the service?
  • Are there poems, readings, or music that are meaningful to include?

How to Write an Obituary

There’s no single way to write an obituary. Some families choose to write their own, while others work with the funeral home, which can help draft and submit it to local newspapers (note that most papers charge by length).
Obituaries often include:

  • Full name, including maiden or previous names
  • Names of parents, spouse, and close relatives
  • Career or military service details
  • Hobbies, passions, or organizations they were part of
  • How they’ll be remembered by friends and family

Many families choose to include a note about memorial donations. For example:
“In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in John’s memory to Hospicare & Palliative Care Services, 172 East King Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 or online at www.hospicare.org.”

Grieving and Support

Grief doesn’t follow a schedule. If your loved one was in Hospicare’s care, our bereavement team will reach out to you in the weeks after their death. You’ll have access to free one-on-one counseling, grief groups, and mailings for 13 months.

 

Practical Next Steps

In the days and weeks after a death, there are several logistical tasks to take care of. If we haven’t already contacted the funeral home for you, that will be the first step. You may also want to contact your loved one’s attorney to locate their will or trust.

Other organizations to notify may include:

  • Banks and financial institutions
  • Credit card companies
  • Life, health, and property insurance providers
  • Social Security and other government agencies
  • Employers or retirement offices
  • Utility companies
  • Social media platforms (Facebook and Instagram offer “memorial account” options)
  • Alumni associations or community groups
  • Religious or service organizations
  • Publications or mail subscriptions

Many of these will require a certified death certificate. The funeral director can help you order copies, or you can request them later from the local registrar of vital records.