What to Do Immediately After a Death in Georgia: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Make the Official Calls (First Hour)

Unexpected Death at Home

If your loved one dies unexpectedly at home, call 911 immediately. Do not call the funeral home before a death has been officially pronounced — law enforcement or paramedics must make that determination. If the deceased was registered as an organ donor, inform the dispatcher right away, as organ viability is time-sensitive.

Expected Death (Hospice or Terminal Illness)

If your loved one was under hospice care or had a terminal illness, call your hospice nurse or attending physician first. They can certify the death, which is required before the death certificate can be filed. The funeral home can then be called to transport the body.

When the Coroner Gets Involved

Georgia law requires law enforcement to notify the county coroner or medical examiner in specific situations, including:

• Any death without a physician present
• Sudden, unexpected, or suspicious deaths
• Accidents, injuries, or possible homicide
• Death of a minor with unclear cause
• Anyone admitted to a hospital unconscious who never regained consciousness

When the coroner is involved, you cannot proceed with burial or cremation until they release the body. This can take anywhere from a few hours to several days depending on circumstances.

Step 2: Choose a Funeral Home — You Have a Limited Window

This step surprises many families. Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 31-21-7), the next of kin must contact a licensed funeral director within 2 days of being notified of the death, or within 3 days of the actual death — whichever comes first. If no one acts within that window, the right to make disposition decisions can be transferred.

Georgia follows a specific next-of-kin hierarchy for who has legal authority to make funeral decisions:

1. Surviving spouse
2. Adult children (18 or older) — majority rules if multiple
3. Parents of the deceased
4. Siblings of the deceased
5. Other relatives in order of kinship

The person authorizing disposition must be 18 or older and of sound mind. If family members disagree, Georgia courts can be petitioned to resolve disputes — but in practice, this is rare and very stressful. Browse our directory of Atlanta funeral homes to find one near you.

Step 3: The Death Certificate — Georgia's 72-Hour Rule

A Georgia death certificate must be filed with the local county registrar within 72 hours of death and transmitted to the Georgia Center for Health Statistics. Here's who does what:

• The attending physician, hospice nurse, or medical examiner certifies the cause of death
• The funeral director files the completed death certificate with the county registrar
• The county registrar issues certified copies and a disposition permit

How Many Copies Do You Need?

Order more than you think you'll need. Most Atlanta-area families require 8–12 certified copies. You'll need them for:

• Each bank or financial institution
• Life insurance companies (one per policy)
• The Social Security Administration
• The Georgia DMV to cancel the driver's license
• The employer (if applicable)
• Probate court
• Pension or retirement accounts
• Real estate title transfers

Certified copies ordered at the time of filing cost far less than reordering them later through the Georgia Vital Records office. Ask your funeral director to order extras upfront.

Step 4: Understand the Cremation Waiting Period

If your family is considering cremation, Georgia law mandates a mandatory 24-hour waiting period before cremation can begin — measured from the time of death notification. In addition:

• A signed cremation authorization form must be obtained from the legally authorized next of kin
• If the death is subject to a coroner or medical examiner inquiry, their approval must be obtained before a cremation permit can be issued
• The funeral home must obtain a disposition permit (available 24/7 from county registrars under Georgia law)

See our full guide: Georgia Cremation Laws: What Atlanta Families Need to Know.

Step 5: Notify the People Who Need to Know

Once the immediate arrangements are underway, begin notifying others. Do this in a thoughtful order:

1. Immediate family — Call before any public announcement
2. Close friends
3. Employer of the deceased — Notify HR for final paycheck, benefits, and life insurance
4. Your employer — Request bereavement leave; Georgia has no mandatory bereavement leave law, but many employers offer it
5. Religious community or clergy
6. The broader community — Via obituary or social media, once the family is ready

Step 6: Secure Property and Important Documents

Before a home is left unattended, secure the property and locate key documents. Look for:

• Will or trust documents
• Life insurance policies
• Social Security card and government-issued ID
• Financial account information
• Pre-paid funeral plan (if one exists)
• Safe deposit box keys and location
• VA discharge papers (DD-214) if the deceased was a veteran

If the deceased had a pre-paid funeral plan with an Atlanta funeral home, locate those documents now — they contain binding instructions that the funeral home is obligated to follow.

First 72 Hours: Quick Reference Checklist

For a full planning checklist covering everything from the first call through estate settlement, use our free Funeral Planning Checklist tool.

Frequently Asked Questions