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

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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 Specialists 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.

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.

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.

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. 

Now, it’s time to think about how you’ll honour the life of your loved one. There are many ways to do this – funerals, memorials, wakes and more. Every celebration of life looks different, and we recommend making it feel personal and tailored to your love done where possible.

Here are a few things to think about when planning your loved one’s farewell. We recommend speaking to close family and friends to discuss any elements you’re unsure of.

• Will your loved one be buried or cremated?
• Do you want to hold a funeral service or no service?
• If your loved one is being buried, will there be a graveside service?
• Will there be a wake after the service?
• Are there any cultural or religious traditions you’d like to incorporate?
• Who would you like to perform the service?
• Will there be speeches or eulogies?
• Are you interested in holding a viewing before the service?

All of these decisions can feel overwhelming, but your funeral director will be there to guide you through them at your own pace. You can read about what to consider in our funeral planning guide.

Even after you’ve said goodbye, the healing continues. The path through grief looks different for everyone, so go easy on yourself and others. There may also be other administrative matters that pop up over time that you may need to manage. 

In the months after losing your love done, you and your family may benefit from:

• Grief counselling or support groups
• Resources for managing grief and emotional wellbeing
• Taking time to rest and lean on your community

At White Lady Funerals, our care continues well beyond the funeral. We provide a range of resources and suppot nertworks to help you through.

In the weeks and months following death, a number of duties will be carried out – mostly by the Executor, but potentially with your assistance. Here’s what typically happens:

• The Executor will finalise the estate, paying debts, distributing assets and lodging final tax returns.
• One-off tasks like bank account closures, property title changes, transferring superannuation will be completed.
• Surviving individuals may need to review insurance, wills and personal documents if impacted by the loss of their loved one.
• You may consider memorialisation in the form of a headstone or plaque in a permanent spot, or the scattering of ashes.

Whether expected or not, it’s always challenging when someone dies. We’re here to help you through the legal, administrative and emotional tasks, and to help you carry the burden.