What to Do When Someone Dies at Home in Corona or Riverside, CA

When a loved one dies at home, the moments that follow can feel surreal. You may be in shock, surrounded by family, or completely alone — and unsure who to call first. Knowing the basic steps ahead of time makes an overwhelming moment a little more manageable. This guide walks families in Corona, Riverside and the Inland Empire through exactly what to do when someone dies at home, and how a funeral home helps from the very first phone call.

If you need help right now, you can call us at any hour: Corona Chapel (951) 737-3244 or Sierra Memorial Chapel in Riverside (951) 687-0551. You can also read our page on what to do when a death has occurred.

Step 1: Decide Whether the Death Was Expected

The first call you make depends on the circumstances of the death.

If your loved one was under hospice care

When a death is expected and your loved one was receiving hospice care, you generally do not need to call 911. Call the hospice provider’s number instead. A hospice nurse will come to the home, confirm the death and contact the physician who will sign the death certificate. Once the hospice team has done its part, you can call the funeral home to bring your loved one into its care.

If the death was unexpected

If the death was sudden or unexpected, call 911 right away. Paramedics will respond, and law enforcement may come as well. In Riverside County, the Sheriff-Coroner may review the circumstances and decide whether an examination is needed. If the coroner takes your loved one into its care, the funeral home will coordinate with the coroner’s office for the release when it is time. You do not need to arrange this yourself.

Step 2: Call a Funeral Home — Day or Night

Funeral homes answer the phone 24 hours a day because deaths don’t follow business hours. When you call a funeral home in Corona or Riverside, a licensed director will ask a few simple questions, explain what happens next and arrange a respectful transfer of your loved one from your home. There is no rush to make every decision during that first call. Its purpose is simply to make sure your loved one is cared for and that you know what to expect.

Step 3: Gather a Few Important Details

You don’t need everything at once, but having this information nearby will make the arrangement meeting easier:

Your loved one’s full legal name, date and place of birth, and Social Security number (used for the death certificate)
Parents’ names, including mother’s maiden name
The name of their physician or hospice provider
Any pre-planning paperwork, wishes, or religious and cultural preferences
Military discharge papers (DD-214) if your loved one was a veteran
A recent photograph for the obituary and memorial materials

Step 4: Meet With the Funeral Director

Within a day or two, you will meet with a funeral director, at the chapel, by phone or online. Together you will decide between burial and cremation, plan any visitation or funeral service, and talk about personal touches that reflect your loved one’s life. You will receive an itemized General Price List so you can choose only what you want.

The funeral home also files the death certificate with the county and helps you order certified copies, which you will need for banks, insurance and benefits. Learn more about getting a death certificate in Riverside County.

Step 5: Honor Your Family’s Traditions

Many families in the Inland Empire have specific customs that guide the first hours after a death, such as prayers at the bedside, ritual washing, or a burial within 24 hours. Let the funeral director know right away so that every step respects your faith and culture. Thomas Miller Mortuary & Crematory serves families of many traditions. See our multicultural funeral services.

Small Things That Help in the First Hours

Take a moment. Unless the death was unexpected, there is no need to hurry. Many families spend time saying goodbye before the funeral home arrives.
Call one or two close family members or friends to be with you.
Keep medications, documents and valuables in a safe place.
Write down questions as they come to you, so you remember to ask the funeral director.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

When someone dies at home, a caring, experienced funeral director can lift much of the burden from your shoulders. Thomas Miller Mortuary & Crematory has served Corona and Riverside families for generations, and our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call (951) 737-3244 for our Corona Chapel or (951) 687-0551 for Sierra Memorial Chapel, or visit our contact page.

The Thomas Miller Mortuary Family is here for you. Please call our office, or chat with our Compassion Concierge in the bottom right corner of our website for more information.