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62yearoldchild Asked March 2014

Who do you call if your parent dies in your home?

Coroner, 911? I live in California. It hasn't happened, but I've got a feeling that's what will happen. Just wondering.

Lovingwife Mar 2014
My dad passed away in his apartment and I found him, called 911 and they sent an ambulance, they tried to revive him and when they finally stopped they came to me to say he had been gone for too long, which is what I had thought. Then the paramedics said because he passed at home dad was a coroners case and an autopsy would be necessary. I don't remember exactly but I think the ambulance took the body to the coroners. This was in 1989 and maybe things have changed, also we're in Canada.

dogabone Mar 2014
That brings a memory to mind,
Yrs ago my Father died late at nite at home.He had Hospice.Hospice called the Funeral home.The came to get him the hurse parked in the road in front of the house.While the Funeral home people was in the house picking him up.A Police officer comes banging on the front door saying you must move this car out of the road.The car was the hurse of the Funeral home.Dumb rookie cop must have never seen a hurse before .

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historygradtn Mar 2014
I called 911 when I found my father slumped over in his chair. They sent paramedics who took care of them and one of our local police personnel helped guide me further in what to do. My father later died and the police person contacted me to inform me of the fact.

dogabone Mar 2014
If that would ever happen you must call 911.Every death must be reported to the police.The police & Coroner must investigate the death to assess whether an autopsy is needed or not.It's also.up to the family if they want a autopsy done or not.Unless the coroner feels to differ.

lsmiami Mar 2014
Happened to my friend. You call 911, they will dispatch an officer. The Officer will call the coroner, they will assess whether an autopsy is warranted. My friend's dad was 95, took his daily afternoon nap and never woke up. The officer assessed no reason to autopsy, so the coroner took the body and it was at the funeral by the next day.

bookluvr Mar 2014
When mom was dying, we tried very hard to get hospice service. Unfortunately, Medicare requires that she be seen by a doctor in order to get hospice. We tried calling her doctor, the hospice and - no one would budge. Mom must be seen by the doctor. The doctors at mom's clinic does NOT do house calls. Mom was already close to death's door, us siblings discussed it and decided we could not subject her to the ambulance ride from our home to the clinic and back. Just turning mom (to change her pampers) caused her to squint in pain. We then contacted APS to intervene and help us to find a solution. In the middle of negotiation, mom passed away her in her sleep in mid-afternoon. My older sister called 911. They sent the fire truck, the ambulance and the police. All the siblings in the house were questioned by all 3 personnel. Also, because mom died at home, the coroner had to interview my sibling. Sis said that the coroner made her feel as if she killed mom. She never wants to go through that again.

62yearoldchild Mar 2014
Sounds like if it happens in dad's sleep and I find him in the morning, 911 is the answer. Jeannegibbs and psteqman, thanks for the answer regarding hospice. My mom was in hospice at the nursing home, the night nurse recorded the time, next thing I knew the funeral home was there. So yeah, they do it all God bless 'em. You never know and it's a question that popped up with husband and I, thanks to all of you! Blessings to all from caregiver land!!

pamstegma Mar 2014
If you don't have Hospice, then the body can't be moved until the coroner is dispatched by 911 and declares them dead. Funeral home will not pick up without that declaration. This is another reason Hospice saves you a lot of grief, paperwork and questions from the PD.

jeannegibbs Mar 2014
One of the practical advantages of having your loved one on hospice is that you make one call to them. They inform the funeral home and whoever has to know. They advise you to note the time of death but that it is OK to delay calling them if you want a little time alone with the body.

norestforweary Mar 2014
If its an expected death, the funeral home I believe. A doctor has to sign death certificate. Coroner for un expected death, I believe.

anonymous179890 Mar 2014
I don't know but here in Canada I'd call 911 and explain the situation. I expect the paramedics would come and confirm that the person is in fact deceased. Then the coroner or a doctor comes and certifies the death.

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