What to do when someone dies?

WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEONE DIES?

WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEONE DIES

Knowing what to do when someone dies isn’t always easy to think about or discuss with your loved ones. When a family member does pass away, generally the first person to contact is their doctor. If the Doctor will not sign a death certificate, then a coroner will have to take the appropriate steps to allow the person into the Funeral Directors care.

Apart from other family members and friends, the next person to call is the funeral director of your choice. The funeral director will then arrange to see you to organise the funeral for your family member. During this process, the funeral director should have organised the transfer of your loved one into their care.

WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEONE DIES

Knowing what to do when someone dies isn’t always easy to think about or discuss with your loved ones. When a family member does pass away, generally the first person to contact is their doctor. If the Doctor will not sign a death certificate, then a coroner will have to take the appropriate steps to allow the person into the Funeral Directors care.

Apart from other family members and friends, the next person to call is the funeral director of your choice. The funeral director will then arrange to see you to organise the funeral for your family member. During this process, the funeral director should have organised the transfer of your loved one into their care.

SOME DECISIONS TO THINK ABOUT DURING THE FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS INCLUDE:

  • The type of funeral you desire
  • Whether your family member has already pre-arranged their own funeral
  • When & where you would like the funeral to be held
  • The type of service you would like
  • The type of music to be played at the service
  • Which clothing you would like your loved one to wear
  • Whether you desire a viewing
  • What floral arrangements would be appropriate
  • Who you would like to be involved

The funeral should take place within a few days of meeting with your funeral director, as long as there are no extenuating circumstances, such as waiting on family to arrive from out of town. Within those few days, the funeral director should have made all the arrangements on your behalf.

WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE DIES IN A NURSING HOME OR HOSPITAL

In most cases, nursing homes do not have long-term facilities to care for a loved one once they have passed away. As per standard practice, the facility will contact family and notify them of the death. From this point, a funeral director will start making arrangements for the deceased on the basis there is no coroner investigation taking place.

In a hospital scenario, there are mortuary facilities and the hospital would take care of your loved one while a funeral director will make arrangements and the family manage the release forms.

If your loved one has passed away, we’re here to help. We provide a wide range of funeral services throughout Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Ipswich, Deception Bay, Caboolture, Bribie Island, Gold Coast, Noosa, Tewantin, Maleny, Montville, Gympie, Tin Can Bay, Toowoomba and surrounding areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What do I do with the deceased's personal belongings?

    It can be emotionally difficult to deal with the personal belongings of a loved one who has passed away. The first step is to ensure all items are secure and accounted for. You might need to collect personal belongings from places such as their residence or hospital. Making an inventory helps in distributing the possessions according to the deceased’s will or the law if no will exists. Personal items, especially those with sentimental value like photographs and jewellery, should be handled sensitively. Consider setting aside a memory box for close friends and family as a thoughtful way to cherish shared memories.


    It’s important to safeguard critical documents—such as life insurance policies and personal identification—which will be crucial for legal proceedings and funeral arrangements. Consulting a legal professional can help ensure that all processes are handled properly.

  • How to proceed with the deceased's last will and testament?

    If your loved one has left a will, start by locating the original document, which is often kept with their personal papers or lawyer. The next step is to contact the executor named in the will, who will manage the estate’s administration. This process includes possibly undergoing probate, where a court legally validates the will.


    The executor needs to notify all beneficiaries and any creditors, settle the deceased’s debts and distribute the remaining assets as directed by the will. Given the legal complexities involved, consulting with a lawyer is important to ensure all procedures are correctly followed.

  • What initial steps should I take to plan a funeral on the Sunshine Coast?

    The initial steps in funeral planning on the Sunshine Coast can seem challenging. Firstly, it is important to obtain a death certificate, as this is required for many of the upcoming procedures.


    Following this, you can decide on the type of service that honours the memory of your loved one, taking into account their personal wishes or any pre-planned arrangements they might have made. Our funeral directors can support you throughout this process.

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