In the hours immediately after a death, many families find themselves asking the same questions: What happens after someone dies? What do I need to do? Who do I call? What happens to my loved one once they leave my home, hospital or hospice?
At Cremations of Greater Tampa Bay, we understand how overwhelming these first moments can feel. Many families worry about what happens to the body after death and whether their family member will be treated with dignity and respect every step of the way.
Our role is to guide you through the process, handle the necessary arrangements and care for your loved one with compassion from the moment they come into our care until they are returned to your family.
Here’s what you can expect.
The First Call: What Happens in the First Hours
One of the first questions people ask is what happens after someone dies, especially when they have never experienced the loss of a close family member before.
The answer depends on where the death occurs.
If the death happens at home. If someone passes away at home while under hospice care, you should call the hospice nurse first, if they were not present during passing. The nurse will come to the home, officially pronounce the death and help guide you through the next steps.
If the death occurs unexpectedly and hospice is not involved, call 911. Emergency responders and, if necessary, the medical examiner will determine the appropriate next steps before a funeral home can be contacted.
If the death occurs in a hospital or nursing home. The facility staff will pronounce death and contact the next of kin if they are not physically at the facility. They will then transfer the deceased to the facility morgue and hold it there for, usually up to 24 hours, while you call the funeral home of your choosing. Once you’ve selected the funeral home and made the initial call, the hospital or nursing home staff will coordinate transportation with that funeral home.
If the death occurs in hospice. If your loved one is in a hospice, you can provide the staff with the funeral home of your choosing ahead of time so they know who to contact once death occurs. After pronouncing death, they will contact the funeral home of your choosing to coordinate the transfer of the remains and prepare the release forms. The hospice staff will often help with grooming before the body is transferred to a funeral home, though some family members choose to take care of this step themselves.
Bringing Your Loved One Into Our Care
Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. During your first call, we’ll gather a few important details, including:
- The deceased name
- Where they are currently located
- Your contact information
- Whether the death has already been officially pronounced
- Any immediate questions or concerns you may have
We’ll explain exactly what happens next, answer your questions and begin coordinating transportation as soon as possible. You don’t need to have every decision made during this first conversation. Our goal is simply to help you through the immediate next steps.
After the necessary authorizations have been completed, we will bring your loved one to our facility. Families often wonder what happens to the body after death during transportation. We hold our services to the highest standard and handle every transfer with care and dignity. Whether the transfer takes place from a hospital, hospice facility, nursing home, medical examiner’s office, or private residence, we will safely bring your loved one from wherever they are.
How Your Loved One Is Cared for While in Our Care
What happens to the body after death while waiting for cremation? Simply put, the body remains safely with us until every legal requirement has been completed and the family has decided on a burial or cremation service and given authorization for the next step.
Unlike many funeral homes in Tampa Bay, we own and operate our own crematory, meaning your loved one never leaves our supervision and is never handed to a third party. We follow Florida’s strict procedures and regulations to provide the best care.
Careful identification. Immediately upon arrival the body receives secure identification that remains with them throughout every stage of the process. Multiple verification procedures are used for accurate identification at all times.
These safeguards are never skipped or rushed.
Respectful handling. Every member of our staff understands that this is someone’s parent, spouse, child, sibling, or friend. Your loved one is always treated with the same care and dignity we would want for our own family members.
Secure holding. While necessary paperwork and authorizations are being completed, the body remains in a secure, climate-controlled area. Only authorized personnel have access to these areas.
The Paperwork and Approvals We Handle
Many people are surprised to learn how much paperwork is required after a death. Fortunately, we handle much of this process on your behalf.
This typically includes:
- Filing the death certificate
- Coordinating with the physician for medical certification
- Obtaining required permits
- Working with the medical examiner when necessary
- Coordinating required authorizations before cremation
- Communicating with local and state agencies as needed
Our staff carefully explains each document so you always know what you’re signing and why it is needed. There are also a few forms that the legal next of kin must review and sign before the cremation process can proceed. For a detailed explanation of these documents and why they are required, read our related guide.
Preparation Before Cremation
Before cremation can take place, several important steps must be completed.
First, all legal paperwork must be finalized and approved. We confirm every identification requirement and verifies that all authorizations have been received. If your family has requested certain personal items be returned, those arrangements are made according to your wishes. We also review any special instructions provided by your family to ensure every detail has been addressed.
These preparation steps are an important part of providing safe and legally compliant care.
How Long Does Each Step Take?
Every family’s situation is unique, but many people want to know what happens after someone dies and how long the process typically takes.
While exact timelines vary, here’s a general overview:
Initial transfer – Usually within a few hours after we receive authorization to bring your loved one into our care.
Paperwork – Several days in most cases, depending on physician certification, government offices, and required approvals.
Waiting period – Florida law requires certain authorizations before cremation may occur. The timeline depends on how quickly all required documentation is completed.
Final arrangements – After all legal requirements have been met, the remaining steps are completed as promptly as possible. Most families receive the cremated remains within approximately one to two weeks, although certain circumstances can occasionally extend this timeline.
We keep you informed throughout the process so you always know what stage the arrangements are in.
Returning Your Loved One to You
Once all arrangements have been completed, we’ll coordinate the return of the cremated remains according to your wishes. Depending on your preferences, this may include picking them up at our facility or coordinating delivery if available. We’ll also return any personal belongings that were entrusted to us.
Before you leave, we’ll answer any remaining questions and explain any additional documents you may need for estate matters or other administrative tasks.
How We Keep You Informed Throughout the Process
One of the biggest concerns families have is simply not knowing what’s happening. That’s why we believe communication is just as important as compassionate care.
From your very first phone call, we keep you updated throughout each stage of the process. If paperwork is awaiting approval, we’ll let you know. If additional information is needed, we’ll explain exactly what is required and how best to provide it.
If you have questions at any point, even after arrangements have been completed, we’re here to help. Our goal is to make a difficult time a little less overwhelming by ensuring you always know what comes next
Frequently Asked Questions
If your loved one was under hospice care, contact the hospice nurse first. If the death was unexpected at home, call 911. If the death occurred at a hospital or care facility, the staff will guide you through the immediate steps. Once the death has been officially pronounced, contact Cremations of Greater Tampa Bay and we’ll begin helping you right away.
We gather basic information about the deceased and their location, answer your immediate questions, and coordinate transportation into our care as soon as authorization is received.
We respectfully transfer the body following strict Florida regulations. Every transfer is safely handled with dignity and compassion.
Permit fees are generally included as part of the cremation arrangements, while certified death certificates involve separate state fees. Your cremation provider can explain the current costs and help you determine how many certified copies you may need.
The body is in a secure, climate-controlled area while all legal requirements and authorizations are completed. Strict identification procedures are maintained throughout and your loved one never leaves our care.
Multiple identification checks are performed from the moment your loved one enters our care. Secure identification accompanies them throughout the entire process, and several verification procedures are completed before any further steps occur.
In most situations, families receive the cremated remains within approximately one to two weeks, although certain circumstances may require additional time.
Yes. Many families complete arrangements remotely. We can communicate by phone, email, and electronic documents to guide you through each required step without needing to be physically present.
We handle filing the death certificate, obtaining required permits, coordinating with physicians and government agencies, and preparing the necessary documents. The legal next of kin will need to review and sign specific authorization forms before cremation can proceed, and we’ll explain each one clearly before you sign.
