What to do when someone dies
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We're so sorry. If you're reading this, something very hard has just happened. Your thoughts may feel slow or scattered. That's a normal reaction to shock.
You don't have to do everything at once. Most tasks can wait. Below is a simple order you can follow at your own pace.
What should I do in the first hour?
The first step is making sure the death is officially confirmed. Who does that depends on where it happened.
- At home or expected (in palliative care): contact their GP or palliative care nurse. They'll come and confirm the death. You don't need to rush.
- At home, and sudden or unexpected: call 000 and ask for the paramedics and police. This is the normal process for any sudden death, and the coroner may need to be involved. It doesn't mean anyone has done something wrong.
- In hospital, a hospice or aged care: the staff will guide you through what happens next. Ask them anything, and take the time you need to sit with your loved one.
What should I do in the first day?
- Contact a funeral director when you feel ready. They'll arrange to collect your loved one and look after them.
- Tell close family and friends so you don't have to make every call yourself. Ask one or two people to help pass the news on.
- Look for the Will as it usually names an executor, the person who handles the estate. If there's no Will, that's okay. There's still a clear process.
- If there are children, use simple, honest words like "died". Phrases like "went to sleep" or "we lost them" can confuse or frighten young children.
What happens in the first week?
- Plan the farewell: this could be a funeral, a cremation, a small family gathering, or a memorial later on. The funeral director can explain your options and costs.
- Register the death: in most cases the funeral director does this with your state's Births, Deaths and Marriages registry.
- Order the death certificate: banks, super funds and government offices usually need the official certificate, not the doctor's paperwork. It can take a few weeks to arrive.
- Share the news more widely: if you'd like to, let their workplace, relatives or local community know with a death notice. Gaia's free death notice generator can help you write one for print or email.
What can wait until the first month?
- Bank accounts, bills and subscriptions.
- Superannuation and life insurance are often the largest amounts left behind. They're usually paid to the people named with the fund, which can be separate from the Will.
- Probate, if the estate needs it.
- When you're ready, an online memorial gives family and friends a common place to share stories and photos that honour their legacy.
A checklist you can come back to
- Have the death confirmed by a GP, palliative nurse, hospital staff or 000 if sudden
- Contact a funeral director
- Tell close friends or family members, and ask them to help inform the right people
- Locate the Will
- Plan the farewell
- Register the death and order the certificate
- Contact banks and cancel bills
- Contact super funds and insurers
- Apply for probate if needed
- Write a eulogy, create an obituary, and accept help in your own time
Where can I get support right now?
- Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24 hours)
- Griefline: 1300 845 745
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
- 13YARN (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people): 13 92 76
Common questions
No. In most states families can arrange a funeral themselves, but there are rules to follow. Most people find a funeral director takes a lot of weight off.
It's usually fine to take a few hours. Ask the doctor or funeral director what's right for your situation.
It varies a lot. A simple cremation with no service can cost a few thousand dollars. A traditional funeral can cost much more. You don't need to spend a lot to say goodbye well.
Written by Agam Lamba. Last reviewed .
This article is general information for people in Australia. Rules and processes differ between states. If you're unsure, ask your doctor, funeral director or a solicitor.
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