Actions To Take After A Death Of Loved One At Home

Losing a loved one is deeply emotional experience, and knowing what steps to take can provide some clarity during such a difficult time. What steps should you take after a death by natural causes occurs at home? This article will guide you through necessary procedures, from obtaining a death confirmatory medical certificate to considering organ donation, arranging the funeral and obtaining a death certificate. By understanding these steps, you can navigate the process with greater assurance and support.

What steps should you take after a death by natural causes occurs at home?

It is an emotional and challenging phase to handle our loved one’s death at home. We may be confused about what to do and how to handle everything at the time. As overwhelming as it may seem, it is crucial to follow the correct legal and medical procedures following a death. The following flowchart can guide you through the essential actions to take, from confirming the death to making funeral arrangements and obtaining death certificate.

Immediate steps after death

If the death is natural and expected due to terminal illness or old age, contact the treating doctor to confirm the death and obtain a medical certificate stating the cause of death. If the death is unexpected, immediately contact emergency service (of your state /area/ call 108 emergency helpline). The trained paramedic staff will try to manage the condition and if fail, they will confirm the death.

While receiving death declaration from the doctor, do not forget to check the correct name of deceased, cause of death, date and time of death, registration number and seal- signature of the doctor.

Exploring organ donation

Organ donation is a noble way to help others after death. If the deceased wished to donate his/her organ or if family is considering it, the process must be initiated quickly as organs need to be preserved under specific conditions. If the deceased was registered as an organ donor, then the process can begin immediately after family’s consent. If not, then some organ/tissues may be suitable for donation if the family wishes to do so. You can contact hospital or organizations working for organ donation for guidance. They will determine eligibility based on various factors such as age, medical examination and condition of the organs.

Organs such as the heart, lungs and liver typically need to be retrieved immediately after death. If organ donation is not possible due to the time elapsed since death, tissue donation may still be an option. Corneas, heart valves, skin, bones, tendons, and ligaments can be donated up to 24 hours after death. If organ donation is not possible or the family chooses not to donate organs, whole body donation is another option. Whole body donations are often used for medical research, education and training of medical professionals.

Organ donation can provide a meaningful gift for the deceased by giving others a chance of life.

Funeral arrangements

Once death is confirmed, contact and inform family members immediately. Decide if you need to wait for relatives, if so, you can rent a freezer box from local organizations to preserve the body.

You can contact a funeral home to help with transportation and arrangements. They can also guide you through the process of obtaining a death certificate. In various cities, charitable and private organizations such as Antim Sanskar Seva or Last Journey , Indian Funeral Services, and Kaashimukthi etc. offer support and choice of suitable services. You can also book a burial ground or crematorium online through these websites. There are available 24/7 and can arrange for services for all religious beliefs. If you are unable to deal with post-death formalities, appoint a close family member or friend who is apt to carry out this role.

Once you reach the burial grounds or crematorium, do not forget to bring the booking confirmation proof, the death declaration certificate from the doctor, a valid ID proof of the deceased and your own or a nearest blood relative’s ID. In most cases, the acceptable ID is the Aadhar card. Carry xerox copies (2 to 3) of all documents so you don’t have to run around to find a copier. After the burial or cremation, you will receive a receipt which you must keep safely as it is a necessary document to apply for the death certificate.

Death certificate

This is a legal document that confirms the death of a person and provides details about the cause, time, place etc. of death. It is a very essential document required for several legal processes such as claiming insurance, will & estate management, bank account closure etc.. In order to apply for a death certificate, the medical certificate of cause of death must be submitted to the registry office (in-person or online) within five to seven days. The registrar will subsequently issue an official death certificate after registering the death. Multiple copies of the death certificate may be purchased at an additional minimum cost as they may be required for various administrative purposes. The death certificate can be mailed or collected from the registry office. In case of any query, you may contact local talati (officer at gram panchayat) of your area or visit the municipality office.

Losing a loved one is never easy. Do not stress, take your time and take necessary steps. We hope this information will support you through this hard time.

References:

1. Pallium India https://palliumindia.org/2017/07/how-to-deal-with-death-at-home
2. Mohan foundation is a leading organization dedicated to promoting and facilitating organ donation - https://www.mohanfoundation.org/index.asp
3. National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) is a National level organization set up under Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India - https://notto.mohfw.gov.in/

Contributed by Lavleen Gaur