What to do when someone dies

For some families, death comes after a long life, a long (or short) illness and with some expectation. Some families it comes suddenly, without warning, we have guidance below a brief outline of what may happen. Each person is individual, each family’s circumstances are different, but some processes remain similar.

If someone is at the end of their life at home, or a rest home, hospital or hospice the person who is the lead caregiver may have explained that their life is coming to an end. When death comes the Doctor, GP or Nurse Practitioner will need to sight the person to certify their death. This is usually done before they leave the hospital. If at a rest home or home the person certifying death may come to the funeral home to certify.

Family or staff will call the funeral home and we will arrange a transfer to the funeral home. We will always ask if the Doctor has been (if not in a Public Hospital). We will then arrange the transfer from the facility to the funeral home. Family may or may not want to be there to meet us, this is the family’s choice.

If the death is sudden or unexpected, the coroner will usually be involved. This entails the deceased being transferred to the coroner and the pathologist gets involved. The main point of contact is the coroners office, families can start to make arrangements with the funeral home and we can also make representations to the coroner on the families behalf, once we have met with the family.

Thinking about Cremation or Burial is important as we need guidance from the family as we need to get the correct documentation from the person who is certifying the death. If families are unsure, then we suggest obtaining cremation paperwork so if cremation is chosen we do not have to get the certifying Doctor to complete separate paperwork.

Meeting with the family to confirm funeral requirements and what choices you make is important, however, as in Covid times we can make arrangements over the phone, email, virtual meeting as some families may be overseas or not available for travel for several days.

Once we have met with the family we can then move forward without part of the funeral. There are many things to think about, below is a brief list;

  • Burial or Cremation
  • Coffin or Casket
  • Service Location
  • Flowers
  • Newspaper Notices
  • Celebrant
  • Hearse
  • Music
  • Catering
  • Service Sheets
  • Pallbearers
  • Music
  • Photo Tribute
  • Memorial Book

For advice or questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.