Notify close family and friends; delegate someone to answer messages and door

Handled between family and close friends. Pick one person to be the contact point.

Make a short list of the people who must be told personally, and share the rest of the list among two or three helpers. Nominate one person to answer the phone, the door, and the messages, so you are not repeating the news all day. Ask someone to keep a written log of who has been told and who has offered help. Let people bring food and run errands, giving them something concrete to do helps them as much as you.