Quick answer
If the death was unexpected, call 000. If it was expected, such as at the end of a known illness, call the person's doctor, who needs to confirm the death before anything else happens.
Once the death is confirmed, you can contact a funeral director, who will guide you through most of the practical steps from there. You don't need to make any final decisions straight away, things like the type of service, burial or cremation, and other details can wait a few days.
In the first 24 hours, remember
- Unexpected death: call 000. Expected death: call the doctor
- A doctor needs to confirm the death before a funeral director can act
- Some deaths are referred to the coroner, which can affect timing
- You don't need to choose a funeral director on the spot
- Most decisions about the service itself can wait a few days
Confirm the death
What happens first depends on whether the death was expected or not.
- If it was unexpected, sudden or unexplained, call 000
- If it was expected, such as at the end of a known illness, call the person's doctor
- If the person died in a hospital or aged care facility, staff will usually manage this step for you
A doctor needs to confirm the death and, in most cases, issue a medical certificate before a funeral director can be contacted, as outlined by Services Australia.
Some deaths involve the coroner, and that's okay
Certain deaths are automatically referred to the coroner rather than being confirmed by the family's usual doctor. This generally happens when a death is unexpected, unnatural, or the cause isn't immediately clear. If this happens, it doesn't mean anything has gone wrong on your end, it's a standard process, and the funeral director can still be contacted and will explain what it means for timing. It can mean funeral arrangements need to wait a little longer than usual.
Contact a funeral director
Once the death is confirmed, a funeral director can arrange the transfer and care of the person who has died and guide you through what happens next. You don't need to have decisions made before calling, and it's fine to contact more than one funeral home to compare before choosing.
What can wait a few days
Not everything needs to be decided immediately. Things that can usually wait include:
- Whether to have burial or cremation
- The type of service and where it's held
- Flowers, music, catering and other details
- Death registration, which in most states is lodged by the funeral director on your behalf, usually after the funeral
Compare
Who to call, in order
- Unexpected death: call 000
- Expected death: call the person's doctor
- Once confirmed: contact a funeral director
- Check for a will, prepaid funeral plan or written wishes
- Contact immediate family before making other decisions
Sources used in this guide include
