What to do when someone dies: A practical guide for Australian families

When someone you love dies, you often have to navigate a lot of emotions and unfamiliar decisions at once. This guide walks you through what to do step by step, from the immediate actions through to the legal, emotional and practical tasks required later.

What to do immediately after someone dies

First, make the essential calls

When someone dies, the first thing you’ll need to do is to make a few necessary calls.

If your loved one passes away at home and the death was expected, call their doctor or care team to let them know. They will attend and carry out any required duties to write the cause of death certificate. 

If your loved one passes away unexpectedly or there’s an emergency, call 000 and follow their instructions. Police and/or ambulance may need to attend. 

If they pass away in hospital or an aged care facility, the staff will guide the process and contact the appropriate clinician to complete the necessary documents.

Second, contact a funeral director

Once a doctor has certified the death, you can contact a funeral director to arrange for your loved one to be brought into their care. At this stage, the funeral director will:

• Arrange the transfer of your loved one to a trusted mortuary facility
• Support you with any immediate decisions
• Set a time to discuss what happens next

At White Lady Funerals, you can call us anytime. Our caring team is by the phone 24/7 to offer support and guidance during these difficult times.

Third, let close family and friends know

When you’re ready, you can begin to inform friends and family of your loved one’s passing. If it feels overwhelming, ask a relative or trusted friend to help with calls or messages. There’s no need to notify everyone straight away; focus on those closest first.

What happens next?

After your loved one is in the care of a trusted funeral provider, you can begin to gather documents and information to help you through the next steps.

Locate the key documents

When someone dies, it’s important that a close family member or Executor gathers identification documents and any paperwork that might outline your loved one’s wishes. Documents and information to gather includes:

• Full name, date of birth, place of birth, last known address
• Birth and marriage certificates (where applicable)
• Will or prepaid funeral plans documents (where applicable)
• Insurance policies
• Superannuation details
• Any known final wishes (if documented)

Gathering this information helps with many of the practical and administrative tasks ahead.

Consider your loved one’s wishes

There are some important decisions to be made over the coming days and weeks. Things like whether burial or cremation is the right choice, the type of service, and more. Unless your loved one left clear instructions, it can be hard to know what they would’ve wanted. 

If you believe your loved one had their preferences written down, or had a prepaid funeral plan in place, try to locate that documentation to ensure you’re able to carry out their wishes. If you’re unsure, we suggest speaking to close family members and friends to get a sense of what feels right.

Meet with a funeral director

When you’re ready, organise a time to meet with the funeral director. You can usually do this in person or by phone. Your funeral director will let you know what to bring to the appointment and give you an idea of what to expect. This usually includes the documentation mentioned above, along with a general idea of how you want to honour your loved one. 

The first meeting with a funeral director typically takes between 1-2 hours. At White Lady Funerals, our Funeral Directors will take the time to get to know you and understand your needs and priorities. We’ll explain the decisions to be made, what options are available and how the process works. 

If you’re unsure about your loved one’s wishes or preferences, it’s okay. We’ll give you plenty of time to speak with your family and help you make the decision that feels right.

Legal and administrative matters

While there’s no rush to complete many of these tasks immediately, you’ll likely need to work through the list of legal and administrative matters over the coming weeks and months. If it helps, share the load with close family members so it’s not all sitting on your shoulders. Where possible, your funeral director will help you carry out these duties.

Register the death

Your funeral director will also take the lead here. They’ll apply for the Death Certificate on your behalf, which you’ll need down the track to close off any insurances, accounts or subscriptions your loved one may have held. Once you receive the Death Certificate, it’s a good idea to make certified copies as they may be required for estate matters.

Notify any relevant organisations

When you’re ready, you can begin contacting any businesses or institutions that may need to know about your loved one’s passing. These may include:

• Their employer  
• Banks and superannuation funds
• Insurance providers (health, vehicle, home, etc.) 
• Government agencies (Medicare, Centrelink, ATO, etc.)
• Utility providers (phone, internet, etc.) 

The Executor will then begin managing the estate, including understanding any debts, assets, property and distribution as laid out in the will.