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A death at home

Someone has just died at home. Who do you call?

They were on hospice, and this was expected

Call the hospice first.

Use the number the hospice gave you. It is often on the folder or a sheet by the bed. A nurse can help day or night.

Not on hospice, sudden, or you are not sure

Call 911.

Also call 911 if you are not sure they have died, or if anyone is hurt or in danger. Calling 911 when you are scared is never wrong.

Why the hospice comes first

A Medicare hospice must have nursing ready 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That is who the hospice wants you to call. 42 CFR 418.100(c)(2)

If you call 911, paramedics come to help. In Colorado, unless they see a CPR directive or a MOST form that says no CPR, the law treats the person as agreeing to CPR. C.R.S. 15-18.7-104(4); 6 CCR 1015-2, section 4.2.4

Paramedics must follow a valid CPR directive or MOST form that they can see right away. A copy counts. A CPR directive bracelet or necklace may count too. 6 CCR 1015-2, sections 3.1.2 and 4.2.3; C.R.S. 15-18.7-104(1) and (5)

Family members and bystanders cannot cancel a person’s CPR directive. 6 CCR 1015-2, section 3.2.2

While there is time: ask the hospice these

  1. What number do we call when the death happens, and who answers at night?
  2. Who will come to the house, and about how long might that take?
  3. Who calls the funeral home: us or you?
  4. Is there a CPR directive or MOST form? Where is it, and can we keep a copy by the bed or on the fridge?
  5. Who should we call first in the family, and who will tell the others?

Print this page and keep it with the hospice folder. Not sure what a MOST form is? A Care Wishes document or a MOST form: which one do you need?

After the call

Hospice must offer grief support to the family for up to a year after the death. 42 CFR 418.64(d)(1)(ii)

Help with funeral costs, and the first-month paperwork Little money for a funeral? Who helps pay Grief: today, this week, this month The last weeks and days at home

Laws read 2026-10-27: 42 CFR 418.100 and 418.64 (eCFR, current); C.R.S. 15-18.7-104 (Colorado Revised Statutes 2023); 6 CCR 1015-2 (effective December 15, 2019). Not in Colorado? Rules differ by state; find your state’s POLST program. This page is general information, not medical or legal advice. Quality Death does not provide medical care.