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What to do if…
a relative in hospice is near death or may have died

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

Call the hospice agency’s on-call number now and say that death seems close, or that you think your relative may have died. The hospice team will guide the immediate steps and arrange any needed visit or follow-up.

Do not do these things

  • Do not automatically call 911 for an expected hospice death at home. Call hospice first. Use 911 if hospice directs you to, the death seems unexpected, there is immediate danger, or you cannot reach hospice and need urgent help.
  • Do not try to interpret DNR or portable medical order paperwork alone. Keep it easy to find, show it to hospice staff or emergency responders, and follow their instructions.
  • Do not force food, drinks, or pills if the person cannot comfortably swallow or is unresponsive. Ask hospice what to do.
  • Do not give more medication than hospice has instructed. Call the on-call hospice team for guidance.
  • Do not rush to move the person or remove medical equipment before hospice advises you.

What to do now

  1. Contact the right team for the setting.

    • If your relative is in an inpatient hospice unit, nursing facility, or hospital: tell staff immediately using the call bell or front desk.
    • If your relative is at home under hospice care: call the hospice agency’s on-call number. It is often in the admission paperwork, hospice folder, or contact sheet.

  2. Use one clear sentence.
    Say: “My relative is on hospice, and I think death may be close,” or “My relative is on hospice, and I think they may have died.”

  3. Describe what you can see.

    • Tell hospice about changes such as rapid, shallow, noisy, or paused breathing; grimacing; agitation; skin changes; difficulty swallowing; or unresponsiveness.
    • Ask what to do now for comfort and whether to give any medication already supplied by hospice.

  4. Make the hospice paperwork easy to find.

    • Put the hospice contact sheet and medication list next to your phone.
    • Keep any DNR or portable medical order, such as POLST or the state equivalent, in an easy-to-find place near the person.

  5. If you think death has happened at home, call hospice first.

    • For an expected hospice death at home, the hospice team will guide the required documentation and immediate next steps. A team member may come to confirm the death.
    • Call 911 if hospice tells you to, the death seems unexpected, there is immediate danger, or you cannot reach hospice and need urgent help.

  6. Keep one optional detail nearby if it is already available.

    • If a funeral home has already been chosen, keep its name and phone number nearby.
    • If no funeral home has been chosen, ask hospice what can wait and what to do later.

What can wait

  • You do not need to notify everyone right away.
  • You do not need to decide about memorial plans, obituaries, estate matters, or other paperwork now.
  • You do not need to choose a funeral home immediately if one has not already been chosen.
  • You do not need to make the moment perfect. The next step is simply to contact hospice or notify staff.

Important reassurance

It is common to feel frightened, frozen, or unsure when death seems close, even when it is expected. You are not expected to manage this alone. Calling hospice or notifying facility staff is an appropriate first step.

Scope note

These are first steps for the hours when death may be near or may have just happened. Later decisions and paperwork can be handled in order with help from the hospice team and, where needed, other appropriate professionals.

Important note

This is general information, not medical, legal, financial, therapeutic, or other professional advice. If there is immediate danger, the situation seems unexpected, or you are unsure which service is appropriate, contact hospice and seek emergency help as needed.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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