What to Do When Someone Dies in Philadelphia: A Step-by-Step Guide

March 9, 2026

Losing someone you love is one of the hardest things you'll ever go through. And in the middle of that grief, you're suddenly expected to make important decisions — often within hours. If you're not sure where to start, you're not alone. Most people have never had to navigate the death of a loved one before, and it can feel completely overwhelming.

This guide is here to walk you through the practical steps of what to do when someone dies in Philadelphia, including the specific legal requirements that apply in Pennsylvania. Our hope is that having this information in front of you makes the process just a little bit easier during an incredibly difficult time.

Step 1: Call for Help Immediately

The very first thing you need to do depends on where your loved one passed away.

If the death happened at home: Call 911. A police officer and emergency responders will come to the scene. If your loved one was under hospice care, call the hospice nurse first — they can guide you through the next steps and may be able to pronounce the death, which avoids an automatic 911 response in some cases.

If the death happened in a hospital or care facility: The medical staff will handle the immediate response and notify the appropriate personnel. You'll still need to make decisions about what comes next, but there's no need to call 911 yourself.

If the death was unexpected or the cause is unknown: Depending on the circumstances, the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's Office may need to be involved before the body can be released to a funeral home.

Step 2: Understand Pennsylvania's 24-Hour Waiting Period

Pennsylvania has specific regulations around burial and cremation that are important to know. Under state law, cremation cannot take place until at least 24 hours after the time of death. This waiting period is required by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and exists to allow time for proper identification, cause-of-death verification, and — if needed — an investigation.

This rule applies regardless of whether the death was expected or sudden. It's also worth knowing that Pennsylvania requires a death certificate to be filed before burial or cremation can proceed. The attending physician or medical examiner must certify the cause of death, and the funeral director typically files the official death certificate with the state.

If you're unsure about how these regulations apply to your specific situation, a licensed funeral director can walk you through everything.

Step 3: Contact a Funeral Home

Once emergency responders have cleared the scene or the hospital has completed their process, it's time to contact a funeral home. You don't have to have everything figured out before you make that call. A good funeral director will meet you wherever you are and help you decide on the next steps together.

At Ervina White Beauford Funeral Service, we're available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — including nights, weekends, and holidays. We understand that death doesn't follow a schedule, and neither do we. Whether you need immediate assistance in the middle of the night or simply want to talk through your options, our team is always here to pick up the phone.

You can reach our Philadelphia location at (215) 927-4546 or our Pottstown location at (610) 327-4546.

Step 4: Secure Important Documents

While you're waiting to meet with a funeral director, it helps to start gathering a few key documents. You don't need everything right away, but having these on hand will make the process smoother:

The deceased's Social Security number
Birth certificate
Military discharge papers (if applicable)
Marriage certificate (if applicable)
Recent photo for the obituary
Any pre-arrangement or pre-planning documents

If your loved one had pre-planned their funeral, notify the funeral home right away. Pre-arrangements can save you significant time and stress during this period, and they ensure your loved one's wishes are honored exactly as they intended.

Step 5: Make Arrangements That Honor Your Loved One

Once you've connected with a funeral home, you'll work together to plan a service that truly reflects who your loved one was. This is where the process becomes less about logistics and more about honoring a life well lived.

At Ervina White Beauford Funeral Service, we offer a full range of services, including:

Traditional funeral services with viewing, visitation, and burial
Cremation services — both direct cremation and full-service cremation with a memorial
Graveside services for families who prefer a simpler, intimate farewell
Personalized services that reflect your loved one's personality, faith, culture, and life story — including unique touches like horse-drawn carriage service or an at-home memorial gathering
Veterans services, including assistance with burial flags, military honors, and headstones

Every family is different, and every arrangement we make is tailored to fit your needs, your wishes, and your budget.

Step 6: Notify Family, Friends, and Institutions

After arrangements have been made, you'll want to start notifying the people and organizations that need to know. This list can feel long, but taking it one step at a time helps:

Immediate family and close friends
Employer of the deceased
Social Security Administration (to stop benefit payments)
Banks, insurance companies, and financial institutions
The deceased's attorney or estate executor, if applicable
Utility companies and subscription services

Your funeral director can also help you draft an obituary and coordinate any announcements on your behalf.

Step 7: Take Care of Yourself, Too

It's easy to get so caught up in the logistics that you forget to grieve. Once the immediate decisions have been made, please give yourself permission to feel what you're feeling.

Grief looks different for everyone. There is no right way to mourn, and there is no timeline you're supposed to follow. At Ervina White Beauford Funeral Service, our support doesn't end when the service is over. We offer ongoing grief resources and a year-long daily grief support message program that you can sign up for on our website. We believe that caring for families means caring for the whole person — not just managing the arrangements.

We're Here for You — Day or Night

When someone dies in Philadelphia, you don't have to figure everything out on your own. Ervina White Beauford Funeral Service has been serving Philadelphia and the surrounding communities since 2006 with honesty, compassion, and a deep commitment to every family we serve. We're a family-owned, independent funeral home — and we treat every family that comes through our doors as if they were our own.

Call us anytime: