What To Do When A Death Occurs
When a death occurs in Texas, the first steps depend on where it happened. If the death was expected and at home or in hospice, call the hospice or the attending physician; if it was unexpected, call 911. Once authorities have been notified, contact a funeral home so they can bring your loved one into their care. Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, formerly Meador, offers immediate-need guidance at any hour in Gainesville and Whitesboro. Call (903) 564-3800 and a funeral director will walk you through what happens next, step by step.
When a death occurs, who you call first depends on the circumstances. For an expected death at home or in hospice, contact the hospice or attending physician. For an unexpected death, call 911. Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow can then bring your loved one into care and guide the next steps.
Once notified, Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow arranges transfer of your loved one into the funeral home’s care, helps you gather the information needed for the death certificate, and schedules a time to make arrangements. Immediate-need assistance is available in Gainesville and Whitesboro at any hour.
To prepare for arrangements, families are asked to gather the loved one’s full legal name, date and place of birth, Social Security number, and details about any pre-arranged plans or veteran service. A director explains exactly what is needed and helps complete the paperwork.
The First Steps, In Order
- Notify the right people first. For an expected death at home or in hospice, call the hospice or attending physician. For an unexpected death, call 911.
- Contact the funeral home. Call Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow in Gainesville or Whitesboro so a director can bring your loved one into care and begin guiding you.
- Gather key information. Collect the loved one’s full legal name, dates, Social Security number, and any pre-arrangement or veteran details for the death certificate.
- Notify close family and friends. Reach out to immediate family and a few trusted people who can help with calls and decisions in the first days.
- Meet to make arrangements. A funeral director will schedule a time to plan the service, explain options and pricing, and handle the paperwork with you.
FAQ
What are the first steps to take when someone dies?
Notify the right people first: for an expected death at home or in hospice, call the hospice or physician; for an unexpected death, call 911. Then contact a funeral home so they can bring your loved one into care and guide you through arrangements.
Who do I call when a death occurs at home or in hospice?
For an expected death in hospice or at home, call the hospice agency or attending physician, who will confirm the death. Then call Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow at (903) 564-3800 for immediate-need assistance.
What information will the funeral home need from me?
The funeral home will ask for the loved one’s full legal name, date and place of birth, Social Security number, and details about any pre-arranged plans or veteran service. A director helps you complete the death-certificate paperwork.
Reviewed by the funeral directors of Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, serving Gainesville and Whitesboro, Texas.
Texas Funeral Service Commission license number 4450 (Whitesboro) and license number 4457 (Gainesville). Immediate-need guidance available at any hour.