Sanford and Seminole County
After a death at home: what happens, in order
Nobody expects to need this. Here is the usual order of things after someone dies at home, and who to call at each step.
Call 911
If the person was in hospice care, follow the hospice's instructions. Otherwise call 911, stay on the phone and do what the dispatcher says.
Police and the medical examiner
In Florida, deaths by violence, accident or suicide, sudden deaths of people in apparent good health and deaths unattended by a doctor are investigated by the district medical examiner (s. 406.11). Leave the person and the room as they are; moving things can be a crime (s. 406.12).
Choose a funeral home
The family picks a funeral home and tells the investigators. The funeral home collects the person when the medical examiner allows it.
The home is released
When police and investigators leave, ask whether you can have the home back and whether anything is still being held. Write down the officer's name and the case number.
Cleanup
Only now does cleanup start. Close the door to the room and call when you are ready. There is no need to rush this step.
The medical examiner for Seminole County
Seminole County's medical examiner works from 809 Pine Street in Leesburg (Seminole County). Death investigations are answered around the clock at (352) 326-5961. On weekends and holidays, the front office has on-call investigators for part of the day who may not pick up at once; leave a message and they call back.
Not every death leads to an autopsy. If you have questions about the person's care or release, that office is the one to ask, not the cleanup company.
Who to call
- Emergency
- 911
- Sanford PoliceQuestions about a release, inside Sanford
- (407) 688-5199
- Seminole County Sheriff's OfficeOutside city limits
- (407) 665-6650
- Medical examinerSeminole County deaths
- (352) 326-5961
In Deltona and other Volusia County towns, the sheriff and medical examiner differ; see the Deltona page.
Questions
Can I stay in the house?
Usually yes, once police say so. Many people stay with family for a few nights anyway, and keep the room closed until it has been cleaned.
What should I keep?
Keep the case number, the officer's name and the funeral home's details together. Insurers and the compensation program may ask for them.
Call when you are ready
You will speak with an independent cleanup company that works around Sanford. Say what happened and where, ask what they would do and what affects the price, and take your time deciding.
Phones answered 24 hours a day, every day
Calls may be recorded. Details are in the referral disclosure and privacy policy.