Guide
After a death at home in Arlington
This is the usual order of things. You do not have to manage every step yourself, and none of it has to be done in a rush.
Step by step
Call 911
Do this first if the death was unexpected. Do not move the person or clean anything.
Police and the medical examiner
In Texas the medical examiner investigates deaths that are sudden, violent, unnatural or without a doctor in attendance. For Arlington that is the Tarrant County Medical Examiner in Fort Worth (office page). If the person was under hospice or a doctor's care, ask the hospice or the doctor what to do.
Choose a funeral home
Tell the funeral director the medical examiner is involved. The next of kin signs a release form at the funeral home, and the office releases the person to it. You can also call 817-920-5700 with the funeral home's details (medical examiner FAQ).
Weekday releases
The office releases to funeral homes Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., with no releases on weekends or holidays. Most are ready within a day.
The home is released
The police tell you when the home is yours again. If you are not sure, call Arlington Police non-emergency at (817) 274-4444.
The cleanup
Call this number when you are ready. Ask for a walk-through and a written price.
Who to call
- Medical examiner
- Tarrant County Medical Examiner, 200 Feliks Gwozdz Place, Fort Worth. Phone 817-920-5700. Office page.
- Family advocate
- Part-time, at 817-920-5700, ext. 8672 (family services).
- Police
- Arlington Police non-emergency: (817) 274-4444. Use it to ask whether the home has been released.
- Crisis support
- Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, at any hour. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
If the death happened outside Tarrant County
Some neighboring cities cross county lines. The Dallas County part of Grand Prairie, for example, is handled by the Dallas County Medical Examiner. The officers at the scene will know which office has the case. The Grand Prairie page has the details.
When you are ready, one call
There is no rush on your side. Call when the police have released the place and you want to know what the cleanup involves.
Talk it through with a cleanup company
You will speak with an independent company that works around Arlington. Ask how they would handle your situation and how they set the price. Nothing is booked until you agree.
Call (817) 803-8687Answered 24 hours a day, every day of the year
Calls may be recorded. How referrals work: referral disclosure. Your information: privacy policy.