What should we do in the first hours after a death?

stay calm, keep the body with dignity, light a lamp, chant God's name and call the family priest.

First take care of the practical things: get the death confirmed by a doctor and ask for the medical certificate, which you will need for the cremation ground and later paperwork. Inform close relatives and the family priest or a local paṇḍit who knows your customs.

In many homes the body is gently placed on the floor on a clean cloth or kuśa grass, often with the head towards the south, and covered with a white cloth. A ghee or oil lamp is lit near the head, and a few drops of Gaṅgā water and a tulsī leaf are placed in the mouth if possible. Family members sit nearby and softly chant God's name — “Rāma”, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” or the Gītā.

Cremation is traditionally done as soon as is reasonable, usually the same day or the next, and many traditions avoid cremating after sunset. Do not worry about getting every detail right; love, calm and the priest's guidance are enough.

Source: Garuḍa Purāṇa; common practice · Keep the medical death certificate

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