Your loved one has passed away, what next?
Below are multiple scenarios of what the correct procedure will be when a death may occur. We are here to help you and your family during this difficult time. Our phone lines are open 24/7.
If the death occurs at home (under hospice care)
If the deceased passes away under hospice care you will need to contact the hospice nurse. Once he/she arrives at the home they will confirm that the death has occurred. You may let them know that you have chosen a funeral home. They will then proceed to call us once your loved one is ready to be released to bring to our care. We will then schedule an arrangement conference to help you plan the next steps.
If the death occurs at a hospital, adult care facility or any other medical institute
Please let the medical staff know that you have chosen to release the body to Rahma Funeral Home. They will then give our office a call once your loved one is ready to be released from their care and into our care. We will then bring your loved one to our funeral home and set to schedule an arrangement conference with the family.
If the death occurs at home (not under hospice care)
If the deceased is not under hospice care, then you may contact 911. Once the police arrives to your home, they will make sure that the person has passed away and will contact the local county Medical Examiner. The Medical Examiner will then decide if the police should either release the body to the funeral home or bring the deceased to their facility.
Who is now in charge of making the funeral arrangements?
The dead human body is considered Quasi-Property which is the accepted legal status. Rights associated with the body are as if it were property for the purpose of disposition only.
Responsibility for Final Disposition
1. House Holder: The person who owns or controls the property where the death occurred.
2. Surviving Spouse
3. Next of Kin
4. Public Authority
Why is the Medical Examiner’s office involved?
Article 49.25 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedures authorizes the Medical Examiner to investigate deaths that fall into the following categories:
◘ Unattended deaths
◘ Deaths occurring less than 24 hours after admission to a hospital, nursing home, prison, jail or any other institution
◘ Where the cause of death is not known
◘ Deaths due to unnatural causes
◘ Suspicious deaths
◘ Suicide
◘ Children under the age of six
Local Medical Examiners in the DFW Area
Medical Examiner Dallas County
Institute of forensic sciences
Med Exam Office /Crime Invest Lab
Jeffrey J. Barnard, M.D.
2355 N. Stemmons Fwy
Dallas, Texas 75207
Phone: (214)920-5900 Office
Fax: (214)920-5908
Medical Examiner Collin County
William Rohr, M.D.
Collin County Medical Examiner
700 B Wilmeth Rd.
McKinney, TX 75069
Phone: 972-548-3775 ,
972-424-1460 ext. 3775 (Metro)
Fax: 972-548-3760
Medical Examiner Tarrant County
Nizam Peerwani, M.D.
Chief Medical ExaminerTarrant County
Medical Examiner and Forensic Science Laboratories
200 Feliks Gwozdz Place,
Fort Worth, TX 76104-4919
Phone: (817) 920-5700
Fax: (817) 920-5713
Medical Examiner Denton County
306 N. Loop 288 Suite 140
Denton, Texas 76209-4887
Phone: (940) 349-2870 (Metro)(972) 434-8833 (Metro)(940) 898-5600
(After 5:00pm, Weekends, and Holidays)
Fax: (940) 349-2871 (Metro)
