Who to Call First



If you do not know who to call first when death occurs, call us. We can help you understand what needs to be done.

Call 916-797-1448

Now, here are the things you need to know about calls that must be made first:

1.  If death was expected, and there was a medical professional on hand to pronounce death, call us at the number above.
2. If death was expected, but there was no medical professional on hand to pronounce death...
3. If under Hospice care, call your Hospice nurse. Then you can call us.
4. Call 9-1-1. Be sure to tell them that this was an expected death, and to please use a "silent approach." Once they have made the pronouncement of death, call us.
5. If death was unexpected, always call 9-1-1.

In all cases where the death was unexpected or the deceased has not been under the immediate care of a doctor within the last 20 days prior to death, the deceased will be in the custody of the county Coroner. In every case that involves a communicable disease, a crime, illegal substance abuse or an accident, the deceased will be in the custody of the county Coroner.