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A guide for families

After a death at home: what happens, in order

This page walks through the first days in the order things usually happen in Benton and Franklin counties. Take it one step at a time.

Step by step

  1. Call 911

    If the death was sudden, unexpected or you are not sure, call 911. Police and medical responders come first.

  2. The coroner is notified

    For sudden, violent or unexplained deaths, the county coroner takes charge. That is the Benton County Coroner for Kennewick, Richland and West Richland, and the Franklin County Coroner for Pasco.

  3. Leave everything in place

    Washington law makes it a gross misdemeanor to move or disturb remains in the coroner's jurisdiction without authorization (RCW 68.50.050). This includes cleaning.

  4. Choose a funeral home

    The Benton County Coroner's guidance is that the legal next of kin chooses the funeral home. The funeral home and the coroner's office arrange the transfer between them.

  5. The home is released

    Police and the coroner tell you when the home is released. Only then should cleanup start. You can call a cleanup company before this to ask questions.

  6. Death certificates

    Certified copies come from the funeral home, the Benton-Franklin Health District (7102 W. Okanogan Place, Kennewick) or the state. Since 2021, state law limits who may order them.

  7. Results

    If the coroner orders toxicology or an autopsy, the next of kin may request the results. The Benton County office says toxicology can take several weeks and an autopsy report several months.

Practical things in the first week

Pets

Benton County Animal Control (509-460-4923) can help with a pet left in the home.

Medicines

The Benton County Coroner's page says prescription medicines can be taken to local police departments, but not needles or injectables.

Keys and access

Decide who holds the key while the home is empty, and who can let a cleanup company in.

Insurance

Find the homeowner, renter or auto policy before cleanup starts. The who pays page explains what to ask.

Related pages

Kennewick, Richland, West Richland, Pasco

One call, then the decision is yours

You can call now to ask questions, even if the home has not been released yet. An independent company will tell you what happens next.

When you are ready to talk

Say what happened, where, and whether police or the coroner are still involved. The company explains what it would do and how it prices the work. Nothing is agreed until you say yes.

Call (509) 555-0109

Phone answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Calls may be recorded. Read the referral disclosure and the privacy policy.

Call (509) 555-0109