I’ll tell you a little more about me in the next email, but for now, let’s talk about what happens when someone dies.
Whether you’ve had time to prepare, or it comes as a shock, the moment of death is never simple.
One of the most helpful things someone told me is this: death is not an emergency. You don’t need to rush. You don’t need to do everything at once.
Here’s what usually happens next, and how to move through it without feeling overwhelmed.
Step 1: Who do you notify?
This depends on where your person has died:
🏠 At home (expected death):
- Call the GP, palliative care team, or whoever has been overseeing care.
- They will need to verify the death and complete documentation.
- You can then call the funeral director. Staff may also do this for you.
🏥 Hospital or aged care:
- Hospital or facility staff will complete the necessary medical paperwork.
- In public hospitals, your person may be taken to the morgue for a few days while paperwork is finalised.
- You can take your time, and call the funeral director during business hours.
- In private hospitals or facilities without a morgue, the transfer will need to happen more quickly.
🚓 Unexpected or sudden death:
- The doctor may not be able to issue a cause of death certificate.
- The death may be referred to the Coroner, which means a formal investigation must take place.
- If this happens, police or medical staff will usually arrange for your person to be taken into care.
- You'll be appointed a Case Worker who can answer questions and will keep you informed.
- It can take a few days before the body is released. You can use this time to rest, find a funeral director, gather support, and plan at your own pace.
Step 2: The transfer
When you contact a funeral director, they will arrange the transfer of the person into their care.
They may ask you or staff for the following information:
- Full name of the deceased
- Date of birth and date of death
- Location of the body
- Medical practitioner’s contact details
- Your name and relationship
- Estimated weight (for safe and dignified transfer)
If the transfer needs to happen outside business hours, there may be additional costs, but most facilities will allow the person to remain until morning if you prefer.
Step 3: The paperwork
There are two death certificates involved:
- Medical Cause of Death Certificate (or a Coronial Certificate if referred to the Coroner)
This is completed by a doctor or coroner and is needed for the funeral to take place.
- Official Death Certificate (from Births, Deaths and Marriages)
This is applied for by the funeral director and can take 2 to 4 weeks after the funeral to arrive. You will need this for things like estate matters, closing accounts, and accessing superannuation.
You are allowed to pause.
Take the time you need. If you want to sit with your person, dress them in something meaningful, place letters or photos with them, or just be still, that is OK.
Ask the staff or funeral director if you are unsure what is allowed. You have more say than you may realise. I urge you, if there is something on your mind - something you’d like to do or even to take a little more time, please speak up. You’ll never get those moments back.
Next time, we’ll talk about engaging a funeral director, what that means and how to find the right one for you. If you would like to skip ahead to the next email, you can access them all
here.
You are doing beautifully. Keep going.
