What happens if I wake up Dead? Steps to be taken after discovering the deceased

So you wake up dead. If it’s you, best wishes on your journey. For the person next to you, or who finds you – have you ever wondered what happens next?

1) Discovery & first actions (minute 0–5)

1. Ensure safety & check responsiveness.
   Say the person’s name, tap their shoulder, check for normal breathing. If they’re cold, stiff, or clearly beyond help, don’t move the body.

2. Call right away—but who you call depends on whether the death was expected.

   • Expected death (e.g., hospice/advanced illness with a doctor following): Call the hospice nurse or the treating physician’s after-hours line (or the number the hospice gave you). They will pronounce death and guide next steps.

   • Unexpected/uncertain: Call 911. Tell dispatch you found someone unresponsive and likely deceased.

3. Do not tidy the scene or remove meds.
   Leave the environment as-is. If this becomes a coroner/medical examiner (ME) case, the scene matters.

4. Locate any DNR/No-CPR orders if they exist and are handy. If there’s no obvious sign of death and no DNR, dispatch may guide CPR until responders arrive. If death is obvious (cold, rigor mortis, injuries incompatible with life), they will usually advise no CPR.

2) First responders arrive (minute 5–45)

1. Paramedics/EMS assess and confirm death.
   If the death appears expected and a clinician can certify, EMS may stand down after confirming.

2. If the death is unexpected, unattended, or unclear, police usually attend as well (standard, not accusatory).
   They take notes, identify the decedent, look for signs of foul play, medications, notes, identity documents.

3. Coroner/Medical Examiner (ME) involvement

   • In Alberta/most of Canada, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) is notified for sudden, unexpected, or unattended deaths.

   • The OCME/Coroner decides whether the case must be accepted (jurisdiction taken), whether an autopsy or external exam is needed, and when/if the body can be released to a funeral home.

3) Pronouncement & legal steps (hour 1–6)

1. Pronouncement of death

   • Expected death: hospice nurse or physician pronounces.

   • Unexpected: EMS confirms, but formal authority (coroner/ME or a physician) determines certification pathway.

2. Who completes the Medical Certificate of Death?

   • Expected death under physician care: the treating physician (or hospice physician) usually completes the medical portion (cause of death).

   • Unexpected/ME case: the Coroner/ME completes it after their investigation.

3. Organ & tissue donation window
   If the person is a registered donor or family consents:

• Hospital deaths: organ donation may be possible.

• Home discoveries: time since death often limits donation to tissues (e.g., corneas). Responders or the coroner may contact the organ/tissue network; families can also ask.

4) Transfer of the body (hours 2–24)

1. Who removes the body?

• Expected (no coroner involvement): the family (or hospice) calls the funeral home of their choice, which sends a transfer team to remove the remains.

• Coroner/ME case: the OCME/Coroner’s contracted transport removes the body to the medical examiner’s facility for examination.

1. Personal effects
   Jewelry and effects are inventoried. In ME cases, items may remain with the body until release; otherwise the funeral home or family will secure them.

2. At the medical examiner’s facility (if applicable)

• The ME may perform an external exam or autopsy if required by law or indicated by circumstances (sudden death, unclear cause, public interest).

• Once finished and the cause/manner is determined (or pending), the ME releases the body to the family’s chosen funeral home.

5) Funeral home intake & paperwork (day 1–3)

1. Funeral home arrangements meeting (in person or phone):

• Confirm identity, next-of-kin, legal authorization to control disposition.

• Provide info for Vital Statistics (legal name, date/place of birth, parents’ names, marital status, etc.).

• Choose services (viewing, ceremony), care (embalming or not—optional except in certain circumstances), and disposition (burial/cremation/green burial).

• Sign required forms: transfer authorization, cremation authorization (if applicable), and disposition permit paperwork.

1. Death registration & certificates

• The funeral home files the Registration of Death with Vital Statistics (province/state).

• Once registered, certified death certificates can be ordered for estates, banking, pensions, etc.

1. Cremation/burial permits

• For cremation, many jurisdictions require a cremation authorization and sometimes a coroner’s warrant or secondary review.

• For burial, the cemetery needs a burial permit or equivalent.

6) Care of the body while decisions are made (day 1–5+)

1. Sheltering & preparation

• The funeral home refrigerates the remains; embalming is optional and guided by family wishes, timing, and viewing plans.

• Religious/cultural rites (washing, shrouding, prayer) can be arranged promptly when requested.

1. Autopsy results (if ME case)

• Preliminary findings may be available quickly; full toxicology can take weeks. The cause of death on the certificate may initially be “pending,” then updated.

7) Disposition (day 2–14+, varies)

1. Burial

• Select a cemetery/plot (or use an existing family plot).

• Cemetery staff coordinate interment time; clergy/celebrant services if desired.

1. Cremation

• Performed after the statutory paperwork and waiting periods (if any).

• Ashes (cremated remains) are returned to the family in an urn for keepsake, scattering, interment, or home retention, subject to local rules.

1. Alternative options

• Green burial (no embalming, biodegradable casket/shroud).

• Donation for medical education (must be arranged/accepted; timing and condition matter).

• Aquamation/alkaline hydrolysis (where legal).

8) Aftercare & estates

1. Funeral/celebration planning
   The funeral home can coordinate venues, clergy/celebrant, obituary, stationery, livestreams.

2. Practical notifications

• Employer, pension, banks, insurance, landlord/mortgage, utilities, CRA/Service Canada (e.g., CPP/OAS), driver’s licence/passport, memberships.

• Funeral homes often provide a checklist; some offer admin assistance.

1. Executor/estate steps

• Locate the will and identify the executor (personal representative).

• Secure property, collect documents, and consult a lawyer/notary as needed for probate or small-estate procedures.

• Claim life insurance and survivor benefits.

• Arrange final tax returns.

Two quick special scenarios

• At a facility (hospital, nursing home): Staff handle pronouncement and call the coroner only if needed. They ask you to choose a funeral home; transfer is arranged from the facility.

• If death was expected at home (hospice): Call hospice, not 911. The nurse pronounces, guides you, and tells you when to call the funeral home. No police/ME typically needed unless circumstances suggest otherwise.

What you (as the finder) actually do—short checklist

1. Make sure the scene is safe; check for responsiveness and breathing.

2. If expected, call hospice/doctor. If unexpected/uncertain, call 911.

3. Have ID and any DNR handy; don’t move or “tidy” the scene.

4. Cooperate with EMS/police; answer factual questions.

5. When allowed, choose and contact a funeral home.

6. Gather personal info for Vital Statistics and death certificates.

7. Decide on burial/cremation and any religious/cultural rites.

8. Start notifications and estate steps.