Death Notifications

Receiving a death notification is difficult and upsetting. When it is due to a murder it can shatter your ability to cope or even think.

First - call someone to come to you, someone who can offer emotional and practical support. It may be a family member, a close friend, neighbor, co-worker, an elder or religious community member. You will need immediate help and will benefit from someone with you. This person can help by writing things down for you, answering the phone, the door, help with any children, other family members, food prep etc.

Begin to notify those who need to be told. There is nothing wrong with asking for help with this if you need to contact several people. If someone who needs to be told has health concerns, consider having it in person and if possible someone present to support them after you have told them.

Where possible avoid using social media until family and friends are notified. Remember information placed on social media will be picked up shared and media outlets will use it as well. Some families do have (or create) closed social media groups which can be helpful as a communication tool. There is more information about media in the section titled media.