Funeral Expert Shares First Steps Families Should Take After a Death
Midland, Texas – October 06, 2026 -- When a loved one dies, families often don't know where to begin, and a new guide from Willowbrook Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Midland, Texas, lays out the immediate steps to take.
A legal pronouncement of death comes first
Funeral Services Expert Sparky Clark explains that if a death occurs in a hospital, hospice, or nursing home, medical professionals typically handle the legal pronouncement. If it happens at home without hospice care, families must contact emergency services or local authorities before any other arrangements can proceed.
Notifying relatives can be shared among family members
Once death is legally confirmed, families should reach out to close relatives and trusted friends. Clark notes that splitting phone calls among siblings or relatives eases the burden and gives everyone time to inform employers, clergy, and others connected to the person's life.