Herbie Murray
It can be shocking and overwhelming when someone dies unexpectedly in their sleep at home. If the deceased was under hospice care, the next steps are relatively straightforward: call the hospice, and they will notify the medical director and fill out the necessary paperwork. If the deceased was not under hospice care, the process is more complicated. You must call 911, and EMT professionals will attempt resuscitation unless you have a Do Not Resuscitate order. The authorities will then work with the family and the funeral home to ensure the body is transported and cared for appropriately.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How common is it? | In the US in 2019, there were approximately 348,000 deaths in sleep, accounting for 30% of all deaths from natural causes. |
| Cause of death | Could be due to accidents, suicides, or other non-natural causes. Common causes include cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, stroke, heart attack, sleep apnea, and epilepsy. |
| What to do if someone dies in their sleep at home? | Call 911 to notify the authorities and EMT professionals. If the deceased was under hospice care, call the on-call hospice nurse. |
| What happens after the call? | The authorities will work with the family and the funeral home to ensure the body is transported and cared for. The family can spend time with the body and make funeral arrangements. |
| What is the emotional impact? | Losing a loved one who dies in their sleep can be shocking and overwhelming. |
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What You'll Learn
- If the deceased was under hospice care, call the hospice nurse to certify death
- If no hospice care, call 911 to certify death and remove the body
- Contact an estate attorney to handle the will, probate, and financial accounts
- Causes of death could include choking, heart attack, stroke, or sleep apnea
- Death certificates are obtained by a hospice nurse or medical director
If the deceased was under hospice care, call the hospice nurse to certify death
If someone dies at home in their sleep, the family of the deceased will need to contact a funeral home or mortuary to make arrangements for the body. If the death was sudden or unexpected, the authorities, including emergency services or the local police department, may also need to be notified.
If the deceased was under hospice care, you should call the hospice and inform them of the passing. Hospice care is an end-of-life care model provided in residences or institutions, with the purpose of preparing for a "good death", ensuring the patient's comfort and peace as a disease runs its natural course. Hospice care is provided by healthcare professionals, including nurses, doctors, social workers, spiritual advisors, and trained volunteers. Hospice nurses, in particular, play an integral role in the evaluation and planning process of hospice care, as well as in the provision of medical support. They visit patients regularly, sometimes daily or twice a day as death nears, and provide pain and symptom management. They also offer emotional support and act as a listening ear for families.
As hospice care professionals, nurses ensure that patients end their lives in a hopeful, peaceful, and dignified environment. They protect the patient during the death process, alleviating suffering and ensuring that the patient does not die alone. They also provide caregiver training and support, educating families on administering medicines, daily grooming, safety measures, and assistance with activities of daily living.
Hospice care is typically provided to patients with a terminal prognosis and a life expectancy of less than six months. It can be offered at home or in a facility such as a nursing home, hospital, or separate hospice center. To be eligible for hospice care, a doctor must certify that the patient has a life expectancy of six months or less if the disease takes its usual course.
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If no hospice care, call 911 to certify death and remove the body
If a loved one passes away at home and was not under hospice care, you should call 911. Tell the 911 operator that the person has died, and that the death was expected and does not require emergency assistance. If the deceased had a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order in place, have it ready to show the EMTs when they arrive. They will confirm that the person has passed away and contact the funeral home.
If the death was unexpected, call 911 immediately. EMTs will attempt resuscitation, and if that fails, police or sheriff's deputies will come to investigate the death. If you do not have the legal authority to make funeral decisions, call a member of the deceased's family right away. You or a responsible relative will need to provide the name of the chosen funeral home or cremation service.
If the family does not have a pre-existing relationship with a funeral home or mortuary, they can contact one for assistance. The funeral home will then make arrangements for the body.
It is important to note that, even if the death was expected and someone was present, it will be considered "unattended" unless hospice or a physician was involved. In such cases, the police or sheriff's deputies will come to investigate.
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Contact an estate attorney to handle the will, probate, and financial accounts
If someone dies at home in their sleep, it can be a very distressing experience for the family. The family must first notify the authorities, especially if the death is sudden or unexpected. The emergency services or the local police department will then work with the family and the funeral home to ensure the body is transported and cared for appropriately. The family will also need to contact a funeral home to make arrangements for the body.
In the aftermath of such an incident, it is important to contact an estate attorney to handle the will, probate, and financial accounts. Here are some reasons why:
- Will execution: An estate attorney will ensure that the will is executed according to the wishes of the deceased. They will guide the executor or administrator of the estate to identify and notify all beneficiaries, creditors, and interested parties.
- Probate court expertise: Probate court can be complex, especially when managing the financial affairs of the deceased. An estate attorney can provide valuable expertise and guidance, helping to identify which assets are subject to probate and which are not. They can assist in navigating the probate process, including estate accounting for the fair and accurate distribution of assets.
- Accurate record-keeping: An attorney can assist the executor in gathering all relevant financial documents, including bank statements, receipts, and invoices. They ensure meticulous record-keeping, transparency, and accountability in the probate process, reducing the risk of discrepancies and disputes.
- Meeting deadlines: Probate court operates on strict timelines, and an estate attorney can help ensure that all deadlines are met, avoiding delays in the probate process.
- Asset valuation: Incorrectly valuing assets can result in unfair distributions and legal challenges. An estate attorney can provide accurate valuation guidance, ensuring a smooth distribution of assets.
By engaging the services of an estate attorney, the family can navigate the legal complexities that arise during this challenging time, ensuring a fair and efficient distribution of the deceased's estate.
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Causes of death could include choking, heart attack, stroke, or sleep apnea
Choking, heart attack, stroke, and sleep apnea are all potential causes of death during sleep. Death during sleep is usually preceded by a terminal condition, although this is not always the case.
Choking can occur when someone vomits during a seizure or after consuming too much alcohol, or if they fall asleep with food in their mouth. Choking during sleep can be exacerbated by conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which causes pauses in breathing during sleep. OSA can also lead to other fatal complications, such as strokes, heart attacks, heart failure, and arrhythmias.
Heart attacks, or myocardial infarctions, occur when a blood vessel supplying the heart muscle is obstructed, causing the tissue to become damaged or die. This can lead to cardiac arrest, where the heart suddenly stops beating, and death can occur within minutes. Heart attacks may cause pain and distress before death.
Strokes can also lead to death during sleep, particularly if they impact the brainstem. This can affect breathing, eye-opening, muscle control, and consciousness, and may cause death during sleep.
Sleep apnea is a condition characterised by pauses in breath during sleep, which can lead to death. It can cause low oxygen levels in the body and is linked to abnormal heart rhythms, which may be a cause of sudden death. Sleep apnea can also lead to other fatal complications, such as strokes, heart attacks, and heart failure.
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Death certificates are obtained by a hospice nurse or medical director
When someone dies at home in their sleep, the family of the deceased contacts a funeral home to make arrangements for the body. If the deceased was in hospice care, the hospice should be informed of the passing, and they will help the family take the necessary steps.
The hospice clinician or doctor will also fill out the necessary legal papers to certify the time, place, and cause of death. These documents are essential for various matters, such as life insurance and financial or property issues.
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Frequently asked questions
First, check for a pulse and signs of breathing, and note whether the body is still warm. If you are certain that the person has died, call the appropriate agency. If the deceased was served by a hospice, call them. If not, call 911. EMT professionals will ascertain that the person has died and will contact the funeral home.
If the deceased was under hospice care, a hospice nurse will notify the physician and fill out the paperwork to obtain the death certificates. If not, you must call 911, and EMT professionals will certify the death. The body is typically taken by a funeral home.
Death during sleep depends on the cause, and some people die peacefully without feeling pain or becoming aware. Common causes of death during sleep include cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, stroke, heart attack, sleep apnea, and diabetes-related causes.
It is rare to die in your sleep without having been diagnosed with a terminal condition. Risk factors like epilepsy, heart disease, sleep disorders, and type 1 diabetes may increase the possibility of nocturnal death.
