When Death Occurs

Whether a death is sudden or expected, the loss of a loved one is unique to each person experiencing the loss. This section seeks to guide you through the immediate hours following a passing.

Pronouncement of death:

When death occurs a doctor must officially pronounce the death by completing a medical of death certificate. Once that is done, our funeral home can be contacted to transfer your loved one into our care.

Death at a nursing home or hospice:

If family are not at the location when death occurs, the staff will call the family member(s) they have contact information for. Once a doctor has officially pronounced death, the funeral home will be contacted. Either staff or family can contact the funeral home. If death occurs at a care facility outside of St. Marys, I would recommend the family contact the funeral home.

Death at a hospital:

If family are not at the hospital when death occurs, the care staff will call the family member(s) they have contact information for. Once a doctor has officially pronounced death, the funeral home will be contacted. Either the care staff or family will contact the funeral home. If death occurs at a care facility outside of St. Marys, I would recommend the family contact the funeral home even when hospital staff say they will contact the funeral home. The funeral home staff will contact the hospital to be advised on the release.

Death at a residence:

If an unexpected death occurs, call 911. Emergency staff will attend and a doctor with a coroner designation will pronounce the death. The funeral home can then be contacted and the deceased will either be transferred to the funeral home or to a morgue for autopsy if required.

Death at a residence for expected death:

If a person is at home with a terminal illness and has set up an E.D.I.T.H. plan (expected death in the home) with Community Care Access Centre, then a nurse practitioner can be contacted to pronounce the death. Then the funeral home can be contacted.

information needed for a funeral arrangement meeeting:


Click here for the Information Collection Page


If no pre-planning has been done, necessary arrangements need to be made for the funeral service.  These include:


  • Scheduling the location, date and time of the visitation and funeral service
  • Selecting burial or cremation
  • Choosing Funeral Products
  • Arranging a cemetery plot
  • Preparing an obituary notice


Information for FinalDocx

Using an online program called Finaldox, the Hodges Funeral Home provides this service to families to cancel cards, memberships and inform various organizations of a death.

Please click here to access the form to complete to assist in estate finalization.  
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