When Death Occurs
At Home
To describe what needs to be done we've set out a list of procedures for you to follow.
First – call your doctor
Once the doctor satisfies legalities regarding cause of death, and identity of deceased (e.g. the deceased must have been treated by the same doctor within the previous six months) a medical certificate, Cause of Death Certificate, will be issued.
Second – call the funeral director
This may be done at the same time or just after the doctor being contacted as we can assist right from the very beginning. Following the issuance of the certificate, the funeral director will transport the deceased to the funeral director’s mortuary. See section below: 'When the doctor is unable to issue a death certificate.'
Third – decide funeral details
You will need to decide, at this stage, whether burial or cremation is required. If burial is requested the funeral can be carried out within 48 hours after receipt of certificate. If cremation, the doctor will issue an Attending Practitioner’s Certificate. The funeral director will help you complete the two remaining forms required by law.
- Registration of death is required by the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Basic particulars need to be recorded on a form the funeral director will provide and help fill out.
- If cremation is to take place, the funeral director will help you complete an Application for Cremation. The funeral director will process all forms and documentation on your behalf.
Fourth – consider your requirements for the funeral
You will need to discuss with the funeral director various arrangements concerning: Newspaper notices; Type of casket; Cemetery or crematorium; Clergy; Floral tributes; Cars; etc. To help you decide on what arrangements you want, a list of services is described on the Our Services and Extra Services pages.
Fifth – set the time of the funeral
Again, details can be discussed with the funeral director regarding the time of the funeral, viewings and services
(as required). The exact time depends on cemetery or crematorium availability, but under normal conditions, the funeral can be scheduled within 48 hours.When the doctor is unable to issue a death certificate
Under certain circumstances the attending doctor may not issue a death certificate. The doctor may not have known or attended the deceased within the past six months or the exact cause of death may need to be reviewed. In this case, certification becomes a Coroner's matter.
At Hospital
To describe what needs to be done we've set out a list of procedures for you to follow.
The following steps should be taken as soon as possible after the doctor, social worker or other member of the medical staff has explained that the deceased has passed away by 'natural cause'.
First – call the funeral director
Once the attending doctor or medical staff at hospital satisfies the legalities regarding cause of death and identity of deceased, a medical certificate, Cause of Death Certificate, will be issued to you. The funeral director will meet with you and arrange for the deceased to be transported to the funeral home. See section below for procedure when medical staff are unable to immediately issue a death certificate.
Second – decide funeral details
You will need to decide, at this stage, whether burial or cremation is required. If burial is requested the funeral can be carried out within 48 hours after receipt of certificate. If cremation, the doctor will issue an Attending Practitioner’s Certificate. The funeral director will help you complete the two remaining forms required by law.
- Registration of death is required by the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Basic particulars need to be recorded on a form the funeral director will provide and help fill out.
- If cremation is to take place, the funeral director will help you complete an Application for Cremation. The funeral director will process all forms and documentation on your behalf.
Third – consider your requirements for the funeral
You will need to discuss with the funeral director various arrangements concerning: Newspaper notices; Type of casket; Cemetery or crematorium; Clergy; Floral tributes; Cars; etc. To help you decide on what arrangements you want, a list of services is described on the Our Services and Extra Services pages.
Fourth – set the time of the funeral
Again, details can be discussed with the funeral director regarding the time of the funeral, viewings and services (as required). The exact time depends on cemetery or crematorium availability, but under normal conditions, the funeral can be scheduled within 48 hours.
Fifth – set the time of the funeral
You will need to discuss with the funeral director various arrangements concerning: Newspaper notices; Type of casket; Cemetery or crematorium; Clergy; Floral tributes; Cars; etc. To help you decide on what arrangements you want, a list of services is described on the Our Services and Extra Services pages.
When the doctor is unable to issue a death certificate
Under certain circumstances the attending doctor may not issue a death certificate. The doctor may not have known or attended the deceased within the past 3 months or the exact cause of death may need to be reviewed. In this case, certification becomes a Coroner's matter.
Accidental or Unexpected
If reporting a sudden death:
First – call police, then the funeral director
The law, in these circumstances, requires that an official examination takes place, and that the issuance of a Certificate of Death is a coroner’s matter which must be referred through the police. You should be aware that 1 to 5 days may lapse before the coroner’s report can be produced. The report will include a Certificate of Death and a Burial Order or Cremation Permit which are required before funeral arrangements can be completed.
Important:
So that proper arrangements can be undertaken in time – it is most important that you notify the funeral director immediately after calling the police, or after the police have notified you.
The funeral director’s responsibility is to extend help and guide you at this time.
Please note: It is not necessary for you to understand the main procedures surrounding the coroner’s enquiry, but if you wish to grasp the key steps, an “overview” is presented on the Coroner's Procedures page.
Second – decide funeral details
To start making funeral arrangements – and to supply information required by the coroner’s office – the funeral director will need to know whether your wish is for a burial or cremation. In either case, particulars concerning the deceased will be required to complete various compulsory forms. The funeral director will help you complete these forms, but it is suggested you gather information now. You will need to supply such particulars of the deceased as: age; residential address; details of marriage and previous marriages (if any); names and ages of children (if any); nearest relative; and the deceased’s usual occupation.
Third – consider your requirements for the funeral
You will need to discuss with the funeral director various arrangements concerning: Newspaper notices; Type of casket; Cemetery or crematorium; Clergy; Floral tributes; Cars; etc. To help you decide on what arrangements you want, a list of services is described on the Our Services and Extra Services pages.
Fourth – set the time of the funeral
Again, details can be discussed with the funeral director regarding the time of the funeral, viewings and services (as required). The exact time depends on cemetery or crematorium availability, but under normal conditions, the funeral can be scheduled within 48 hours.