Whether you were present when the death occurred or not, the nursing staff at the hospital or nursing home will arrange for a doctor (or coroner) to sign the death certificate. 

If you weren’t present when the death occurred the nursing staff will contact you to inform you of the death while they arrange for the death certificate to be signed.

i. If the death was unexpected:

• Once the doctor has given you permission, contact the funeral home of your choice to arrange to transfer your loved one. A representative of the funeral home will then provide you with information on how to proceed.
• You can contact the cemetery of your choice directly and ask for a representative who can help you with making all of the cemetery arrangements, or the funeral director can assist you with a recommendation on choosing a cemetery.

ii. If the death was expected:

• Once the doctor has given you permission, contact the funeral home of your choice to arrange to transfer your loved one. A representative of the funeral home will then provide you with information on how to proceed.
• If your doctor hasn’t yet been contacted you should do this during business hours to inform him/her of the death.
• You can contact the cemetery of your choice directly and ask for a representative who can help you with making all of the cemetery arrangements, or the funeral director can assist you with a recommendation on choosing a cemetery.