What is the first step a funeral director must take in the case of an unattended death?

In the case of an unattended death, the first step a funeral director must take is to report to the authorities. This is critical because an unattended death may be of suspicious circumstances or involve legal matters that require investigation by law enforcement. The authorities need to assess the situation, determine the cause of death, and may need to conduct an autopsy.

Only after the appropriate legal processes have been followed can the funeral director proceed with subsequent arrangements, such as preparing the body for viewing, contacting the family, or arranging for burial. These actions must be taken after ensuring that all legal obligations have been met, making the reporting to authorities the pivotal first step in handling an unattended death.