When Someone Dies

AN EXPECTED DEATH

Knowing that a death is expected gives you time to prepare, both emotionally and logistically - meaning, you can already be arranging things beforehand and let people know what is going to happen.

At a hospital or nursing home, staff will arrange for a doctor to issue the Medical Certificate Cause of Death (known as the MCCD).  If the doctor is not able to attend, staff can issue an interim certificate instead.

In a hospital, the body can be held in their mortuary for a few days which allows you time to find and appoint a funeral director if you don't already have someone in mind.

Nursing homes do not usually have mortuary facilities so they will ask if you already have a funeral director in mind, if not, you'll need to choose one within a few hours of the death.

An expected death at home is managed by the doctor or palliative care team who has been tending to the person; they will issue the Medical Certificate Cause of Death (the MCCD).

If after hours you may choose to wait until morning to call them, or perhaps call an ambulance (dialing Triple Zero) who can issue an interim certificate.

Once the doctor or paramedics have attended, and when you are ready, the funeral director can make arrangements to take the body to the mortuary.

UNEXPECTED DEATH

With any unexpected death, please call 000 (Triple Zero) straight away.

Depending on the circumstances, the Coroner may be needed to determine the cause of death.  In this instance, the police will make the arrangements to transfer the body.

After everyone is looked after and you are ready to talk to someone; it is time to contact a Funeral Director so they can guide you through the next steps.