What To Do When Someone Dies | A Practical Guide for Australian Families
Losing someone you love is one of the hardest moments of your life. In the first hours after a death, it can be overwhelming to know what to do, who to call, and whether you’re doing things in the right order.
This guide is written for Australian families facing exactly that situation — right now. Whether the death was expected or sudden, at home or in hospital, these steps will help you move forward with clarity and without pressure.
You are not in a hurry. An expected death is not an emergency. You have time to take a breath, to be with your loved one, and to make the right decisions for your family.
eziFunerals is Australia’s independent funeral planning platform. We are not a funeral home. We have no financial interest in which funeral director you choose. This guide exists to help you — not to sell you anything.
In the first 30 minutes
When someone dies at home
When someone dies at home, you do not need to call 000. An expected death is not a medical emergency.
The first thing to do is call the doctor or GP who has been caring for your loved one. They will need to come to the house and issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death before you notify a funeral director. If your loved one passes away overnight, they can remain at home until the next morning when the doctor can be called.
A Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is an important legal document. It is a vital part of the notification process to the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages in your state or territory, and it gives authority to the funeral director to proceed with arrangements.
It is the funeral director who will transfer your loved one to the funeral home. In many cases you will be able to see them again there.
If organ donation was your loved one’s wish, contact the hospital immediately — this must happen quickly.
When someone dies unexpectedly or suddenly
If a death is sudden or unexpected, call 000 immediately and ask for an ambulance. Do not move the body. Paramedics will contact the person’s GP or the police.
If the death is deemed a reportable death — meaning the cause is uncertain or the circumstances were unnatural — the coroner will be notified. Each state and territory in Australia has its own Coroner’s Court. The coroner may request an autopsy to determine the cause of death, and the funeral cannot proceed until the coroner formally releases your loved one. This process can take days or longer in complex cases.
When someone dies in a hospital or nursing home
When someone dies in hospital or a nursing home, staff will manage the immediate medical steps. You do not need to rush. Your loved one may not be moved to the mortuary until the next day, and the staff are experienced in supporting families through this time.
Don’t feel rushed, and do accept the support offered by the hospital’s health professionals. Make use of the rooms available for you and other loved ones to gather in.
You are not required to use the funeral director recommended by the hospital or nursing home. Under Australian Consumer Law, you have the full legal right to choose any licensed funeral director in Australia. Comparing independent funeral directors can save your family thousands of dollars.
In the first few hours
Once the death has been certified, you can begin notifying those closest to you and making the first practical decisions. There is no fixed order — do what feels right for your family.
Find the Will. It may contain specific funeral wishes. Check with family members, the deceased’s solicitor, their bank, or a fireproof safe at home.
Notify close family and friends. Delegate this task to someone you trust if you need to. You do not need to make every call yourself.
Contact a funeral director when you are ready. You are not obligated to call immediately. Independent funeral directors through eziFunerals will respond to your request within 2 hours — whenever you are ready.
Hospitals and nursing homes cannot legally require you to use a particular funeral home. Their recommendation carries no legal weight. You can take your time, compare quotes from independent funeral directors, and make the right choice for your family — free from pressure.
In the first 24 to 48 hours
The first 24 to 48 hours is when most families begin making the key decisions about the funeral itself. You do not need to have everything decided at once.
Choose your funeral director. Request free quotes from independent, local funeral directors through eziFunerals — no obligation, responded to within 2 hours.
Decide on cremation or burial. There is no rush, but a decision is needed before detailed planning can begin. Approximately 70% of Australians now choose cremation.
Consider a direct cremation if cost is a concern. This is Australia’s most affordable option, typically ranging from $2,000 to $4,500 nationally depending on the state and provider. Use our funeral cost calculator to estimate costs in your area.
Register the death. Your funeral director will usually handle this on your behalf with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in your state or territory.
In the first week
Once the immediate arrangements are in hand, you can turn to the administrative steps that follow a death. Many of these can wait until after the funeral.
Obtain the Death Certificate. This is issued by your state’s Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Your funeral director will typically initiate this process. Allow 5 to 10 business days. Request multiple certified copies — you will need them for banks, superannuation funds, and insurance providers.
Use the Australian Death Notification Service at deathnotification.gov.au to notify multiple organisations digitally in one step, saving significant time.
Begin probate or estate administration if required. Seek legal advice if the estate is complex.
Key organisations to notify after a death in Australia
After a death in Australia you will need to notify a number of organisations. The Australian Death Notification Service at deathnotification.gov.au allows you to do many of these digitally in one process. You should also refer to our guide on what to do with Centrelink when someone dies.
Key organisations to notify include: Centrelink or Services Australia (132 300), the Australian Taxation Office, the deceased’s banks and financial institutions, superannuation funds, Medicare, private health insurers, life insurance providers, the deceased’s employer, pension providers, local council, utilities and subscription services, and social media accounts.
Special circumstances
When someone dies overseas
When someone passes away overseas and you wish to bring your loved one home to Australia, contact the Australian Embassy or Consulate in the country where the death occurred and notify the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
You will need an overseas death certificate and importation documentation. The body must generally be embalmed overseas and transported in an approved container. Given the complexity and time-sensitivity involved, most families engage an Australian funeral director experienced in international repatriation to coordinate the process. Read our full guide on what to do when someone dies overseas.
The repatriation of cremated ashes is considerably simpler and less expensive, though it still requires documentation and inspection by AQIS.
When there is no Will
If the deceased did not leave a valid Will, the estate will be distributed according to your state or territory’s intestacy laws. An administrator — usually a close family member — is appointed by the Supreme Court in your state and holds the same responsibilities as an executor.
Seek legal advice from an estate lawyer promptly. The process is manageable but requires formal court appointment before any assets can be distributed.
When you cannot afford a funeral
If funeral costs are a concern, contact Services Australia on 132 300 to ask about bereavement payments. Some state governments also offer funeral assistance for families experiencing financial hardship. Superannuation funds may be able to release a death benefit to cover funeral expenses before probate is granted.
Direct cremation — with no ceremony — is the most affordable funeral option in Australia at around $2,000 to $4,500 nationally. You may also wish to explore prepaid funeral plans if you are planning ahead. eziFunerals can connect you with independent funeral directors who offer transparent, affordable pricing with no hidden costs.
When the coroner is involved
The coroner’s office investigates unexplained, sudden, or suspicious deaths. A police officer or medical professional will notify the coroner of a reportable death. If you believe a death should have been reported but are unsure it has been, you can contact your local coroner’s office directly.
An autopsy may be required and the body cannot be released for the funeral until the coroner has completed their investigation and issued a formal release.
Complete checklist — what to do when someone dies in Australia
Use this alongside our full funeral planning checklist as your reference across the days and weeks following a death.
- Confirm the death — call the doctor or 000
- Obtain the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death
- Notify close family and friends
- Find the Will and check for funeral wishes
- Choose a funeral director independently — you are not obligated to use any recommended provider
- Arrange transfer of your loved one to the funeral home
- Decide on cremation or burial
- Plan the funeral or memorial service
- Register the death with your state registry
- Obtain multiple certified Death Certificates
- Notify Centrelink, ATO, banks and superannuation funds
- Use the Australian Death Notification Service
- Begin probate or estate administration if required
- Look after your own wellbeing — seek support when you need it
Frequently asked questions
Direct answers to the questions Australian families ask most in the hours and days after a death.
The first thing to do when someone dies at home in Australia is call their doctor or GP. The doctor needs to visit and issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. If the death was expected and occurs overnight, the body can remain at home until the morning when the doctor can be reached. You do not need to call 000 for an expected death — it is not a medical emergency.
You only need to call the police (000) if the death was sudden, unexpected, or suspicious — or if the person had no regular GP. For an expected death, such as someone who was terminally ill, you call the treating doctor, not the police. Police become involved when a coroner’s investigation is needed, such as in cases of accidents or unexplained deaths.
There is no fixed legal time limit for how long a body can remain at home after death in Australia, provided the death has been certified by a doctor. Most families arrange for the funeral director to collect their loved one within 24 to 48 hours. In some cultural and religious traditions, keeping the deceased at home for a period is common and entirely lawful.
No. You are not legally required to use any funeral director recommended by a hospital, nursing home, GP, or any other institution. Under Australian Consumer Law, you have the full right to choose any licensed funeral director in Australia. Compare funeral directors through eziFunerals — free and no obligation.
There is no legal time limit requiring you to call a funeral director immediately after a death. Once the doctor has certified the death, you can take time to be with your loved one and notify family before making any funeral arrangements. Most families contact a funeral director within 24 hours, but there is no obligation to do so immediately.
If a death is sudden or unexpected, call 000 and ask for an ambulance. Do not move the body. Paramedics will contact the person’s GP or the police. If the death is deemed a reportable death — meaning the cause is uncertain or the death was unnatural — the coroner will be notified. The coroner may request an autopsy, and the funeral cannot proceed until the coroner releases the body.
In Australia, the executor named in the deceased’s Will is legally responsible for organising the funeral. If there is no Will, the responsibility falls to the next of kin — typically the spouse or partner, then adult children, then other close family members. If there is a dispute about who should organise the funeral, legal advice may be needed.
All deaths in Australia must be registered with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the state or territory where the death occurred. In most cases, your funeral director will complete this registration on your behalf. If you are not using a funeral director, you are responsible for registering the death yourself. Registration is required before a Death Certificate can be issued.
A Death Certificate is issued by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the state or territory where the person died. Your funeral director will typically initiate this process. You will need multiple certified copies — for banks, superannuation funds, insurance claims, and estate administration. Processing times typically range from 5 to 10 business days.
After a death in Australia, notify: Centrelink or Services Australia (132 300), the Australian Taxation Office, the deceased’s banks and financial institutions, superannuation funds, Medicare, private health insurers, life insurance providers, the deceased’s employer, and any pension providers. The Australian Death Notification Service at deathnotification.gov.au allows you to notify multiple organisations digitally in one step.
The cheapest funeral option in Australia is a direct cremation — also called a no-service or unattended cremation. The body is cremated privately without a ceremony and the ashes are returned to the family. National average costs range from approximately $2,000 to $4,500 depending on the state and provider. Families can hold a separate memorial service at any time afterward.
Financial assistance for funeral costs in Australia may be available through Services Australia bereavement payments (call 132 300), state government funeral assistance schemes for families experiencing hardship, and some charitable organisations. Superannuation funds may also release a death benefit to cover funeral expenses before probate is granted. Read our full guide to Centrelink funeral assistance.
Contact the Australian Embassy or Consulate in the country where the death occurred and notify DFAT. You will need an overseas death certificate and importation documentation. The body must generally be embalmed overseas and transported in an approved container. Most families engage an Australian funeral director experienced in international repatriation. Read our full guide on what to do when someone dies overseas.
A Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is a legal document completed by a doctor that formally certifies a person has died and identifies the cause. In Australia, it is issued by the treating GP or medical officer. It is different from the official Death Certificate issued by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Your funeral director requires this certificate before funeral arrangements can legally begin.
About this guide
Written and reviewed by Peter Erceg, Founder and Owner of eziFunerals — Australia’s Independent Funeral Planning Authority. Peter has over 40 years of experience in public health, consumer advocacy, and funeral industry reform, and is the author of What Kind of Funeral: A Self-Help Guide to Planning a Meaningful Funeral. eziFunerals has been cited by the ABC, The Guardian Australia, the Sydney Morning Herald, and 9News.
Last reviewed: April 2026.