What are the steps taken when a parent dies in a nursing home?

When my mom died in her NH she was on hospice and pronounced dead by the NH doctor.

We had our mother’s funeral prepaid and they were called by the NH staff. My mom died at 3am, she was taken to the funeral home by 6am.

Hospice doesn’t transport people here.

I imagine you are stressed knowing all this. Funerals are expensive. I hope you get resources to work with you to solve this. I too would speak to the NH SW.

I sincerely hope you can resolve this so you can spend time with your mom during her last days on earth. You have been such a good son to her.

Hi Hangingon,

Is your mom still on hospice or did they remove her from that program? If someone passes away while on hospice, I believe you call the hospice nurse. (I believe that's who we called; it might have been a different number but it was in the hospice folder they gave us.) They send someone to the nursing home to confirm that the person is passed and they transport them. At least that is what ours did. Otherwise the nursing home should be able to tell you what to do. If you are not with your mom when she passes, I believe the nursing home would contact you and most likely contact the coroner's office but definitely just ask them. They will understand that you are concerned about it.

I would start by talking to the NH social worker, and if your mom is still on hospice, phone their contact person as well. I don't know if this would apply in your mom's case, but Illinois is supposed to have a program through DHS that will help pay for the cost of cremation and/or burial. I will message you the link. But the social worker might be able to help you with more information.

I hope you are doing ok and that your mom isn't in pain. Hugs to you.

My uncle, my dad’s brother who was single with no children felt the simplest thing to do was to donate his body to science. He suffered terribly with cancer due to being a life long smoker. He was pleased to know that his body would be used to aid in helping others who were suffering with cancer.

I would speak to the NH to see what options may be available in your area. Take care.

I'm sure the staff at the nursing home has had to deal with this before and can help. If you want to research on your own, then the coroner in the county where your mom resides should be able to explain what happens when someone dies and the person or their relatives cannot afford a burial.

On the off chance you're thinking that funerals always cost many thousands of dollars, then you may want to check out "low cost cremation" options which may only cost $1000 or $1500. (No viewing, remains delivered in a cardboard box, basically they arrange to claim the body and have it cremated, and that's it.)

I hope you're able to find some information to reassure you that it will be taken care of one way or another.

I imagine you aren't the first family at this nursing home that has had this dilemma, ask the social worker what others have done. I found an article on line you may find helpful:

http://www.us-funerals.com/funeral-articles/indigent-burials-and-cremations.html

The County Coroner's office will take the body and can help, along with state, to either bury or cremate the body.

Start a conversation with the NH social worker. He/she should be able to guide you. Medicaid typically pays for limited funeral related costs. You may find more online by doing a search for "medicaid funeral services and the name of your state".
You are right to want to be prepared. Keep askng questions.

Hanging, have you talked to the SW at the NH about this issue?