What do to first? 

(Lady Anne Funerals)

Expected or natural cause of death

A Death Certificate must be signed by a doctor. Once this is issued, the funeral director will transfer the deceased to the funeral home.

The family doctor will need to be called should the death have taken place at home and if the deceased was seen by the doctor in the last 3 months.

If the death occurs in a nursing home or private hospital, the nursing staff will notify the doctor for you. If someone dies in a public hospital, the attending doctor will issue the certificate.

Some contact numbers can be found here.

Unexpected, Accidental or a Death resulting from foul play

If the cause of death cannot be determined by a doctor, the State Coroner must be notified – this is done by the police. The police submit a report to the Coroner who will determine the cause of death by contacting the doctor of the deceased and/or requesting a pathologist to inspect the body and carry out an autopsy.

The Coroner is involved with the following deaths:

• Person who has not seen a doctor in the last 3 months
• Unexpected deaths in hospital
• Deaths due to suicide, homicide, poisoning or drug overdose
• Deaths due to fire or accident
• Deaths that occur at the person’s place of work
• Deaths of persons accommodated or retained in government institutions
• Deaths caused by road accidents
• Death is a public place
• SIDS (cot death) and any other unexpected death that cannot be explained without a post mortem examination

Who to notify?

Below is a helpful guide to consider when advising of the deceased. All or some may need to be notified and these include:

• Department of Social Security
• Department of Veteran’s Affairs
• Superannuation Company
• Solicitor and/or public trustee
• Accountant
• Banks
• Building Societies
• Credit Union
• Financial Institutions and loan companies
• Current employer or former employer
• Trade unions or professional associations
• Australian Tax Office
• Insurance Companies for:
  • Life
  • Accident
  • Home and Contents
  • Vehicle
• Friendly Society
• Doctor, specialist or hospital
• Dentist
• Chemist
• Road and Traffic Authority (RTA) for car registration 
• Electoral office
• Medicare
• Health benefits fund
• Clubs, organisations and associations
• Church or religious organisations
• Household help, gardening service, Meals on Wheels
• Home nursing service
• Home delivery service e.g. newspapers, milk
• Home appliance rental
• Post office
• Local government for council rates etc
• Ambulance service
• Credit card providers
• Telephone company
• RTA Cancellation of driver's license.

Flow Chart of Notification

 Home Death
(expected/natural cause of death)

Contact Treating Doctor

Issue of Death Certificate

You may contact any funerals service you like

Home Death (unexpected)

Police

Coroner

Issue of Death Certificate

You may contact any funerals service you like

Nursing Home/Private or Public Hospital

They will contact you
and the Death Certificate
will be issued by the
attending doctor which is arranged
by the home or hospital

You may contact any funerals service you like

Grief Assistance

You may consider the following support organisations should you feel the need for some grief counselling:

• Lifeline: 13 12 14
• The Salvation Army Counselling Service: 02-9331-6000
• Kid’s Helpline: 1800-551-800
• Grief Support: 02-9489-6644
• Community Services Department of the NSW State Government

Other Services you may also want to consider:

Multicultural Services: 13-12-02
Centrelink: 13-10-21
Department of Veterans’ Affairs: 13-32-54
The Role of Nominees: 13-23-00

Are you presenting the eulogy?

The following points may help:

• When and where was the deceased born
• Nicknames and/or names known to others
• Parents names, where they met and married
• Brother and sisters
• Early childhood – localities and interests
• Schools attended, awards gained
• Academic or trade qualifications and achievements
• Interesting childhood memories
• Details of war or military service
• Details of marriage, divorces, children, significant relationships
• Details of grandchildren and great grandchildren
• Details of any club memberships, positions held
• Details of sporting achievements
• Details of any hobbies, travel etc
• Details of historical significance
• Preferences, likes and dislikes e.g. theatre
• Special anecdotes, qualities etc.
• Special readings, music or poetry to be considered