Question about when a friend dies and you are the one who finds them.What do you do?

[mitch96]

I'm visiting a friend next week who is dying of cancer. She is end stage and very weak. We, her friends and family are taking turns being with her at her home. Look out for her and to just be there .
My question is if she dies and i'm the one to find her, What do you do next?
Who do you call? It's not an emergency so no 911. Call the regular police number?
Her doctor? I'll probably get the ans service..
What do you do?
m

[Srkdqltr]

1. Does she have hospice? Her family should have a number for you to call.

Not an easy time. Lovely of you to be present like that. Hugs too all of you.

[questionseverything]

2. Call the police on the non emergency number, explain it's an expected death

The police will come and they will notify the coroner and the coroner takes the body either to the funeral home of choice or the county morgue

It’s good of you to sit with your friend

[2naSalit]

3. Maybe talk to...

The other friends and family to see what they recommend. Otherwise call the local police?

She may have info about that, especially if she has been in hospice care or has any other recent contact with medical care entities.

Find out what is legally required in the community where she is.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. Vigil is a wonderful duty of service

The family or the medical community in attendance should have instructions for all of you, a number to call.

[sinkingfeeling]

5. I called 911 after finding my sister who committed suicide. That brought the police and EMTs. They handled the

call to the coroner's office.

[Jilly_in_VA]

6. This is what happened with my son

when he died by suicide. My SIL called 911, the cops came, and they handled everything else. My daughter was upstairs trying not to fall apart while she explained everything to her kids.

[drray23]

7. I would think you call the emergency services noneless.

Since It is a death, that has to be confirmed by emergency services, reported to the coroner, etc.. The best is to call 911 and say you think your friend just passed and you need help.

[Sailingdiver]

8. When I cared for my mom when she was dying, hospice gave me a contact

My mother was released from the hospital to home under hospice care. I was her primary care provider with great support from the hospice staff. I can't say enough good about them!

After my mother drew her last breath I simply called the number they provided. They were wonderful and took care of everything. Sent a nurse to confirm death, contacted the funeral home, and her physicians.

They continued to check in with me for a few more days to see if I needed anything - spiritual or social.

Thinking about the tough time you're experiencing. Hope this helps.

[Easterncedar]

9. No hospice? No doctor involved?

The family should have a plan. Nurse or doctor to fill out the death certificate and then the funeral service that collects the body.

[carpetbagger]

10. Hospice, or cops.

The hospice agency will come over at the time of death and pronounce/call in the funeral home. Otherwise, pick a funeral home in advance, let them know of the situation, and then at the time call the police (nobody's going to care if you call 911 vs the regular number), tell them "my friend died from cancer, it was expected". But get hospice involved now if they aren't already.