Immediately following a death, you might want to take some time to start the grieving process.

You may want to stay in the room with the deceased whilst others prefer to leave. Some families want time to sit quietly to console each other, and maybe share memories.

You will want to inform close family and friends, and you may find it helpful to share this task with other family members and/or friends, as it can involve many upsetting and stressful phone calls. You only need to make essential calls initially.

Give yourself time to gather your thoughts, before making non-essential contacts. You will need to consider if a phone call is appropriate, or would face to face be better, and who is the most appropriate person to do this. Children will pick up on the changes in the adults around them, so it is best to be honest and explain in words they can understand, what has happened.

At this early stage, it is important to realise that while decisions need to be made, you have time to carefully consider all of your options before finalising funeral arrangements or even selecting a funeral director. Do not feel pressured into making immediate decisions before you have had an opportunity to  discuss your needs with family and friends and talked over your various options.

The first immediate steps will depend on where the death has occurred, and therefore, who prepares the initial ‘Cause of Death Certificate’ (which is different to the ‘Death Certificate’ issued by your State or Territory’s office of Births, Deaths & Marriages.)

Generally, funeral arrangements cannot be completed until an appropriate medical practitioner (normally a doctor, but in some states a registered nurse or paramedic) has signed and issued this certificate. In some states, for example, a medical practitioner has two working days within which to identify the cause of death and thereby decide whether they can issue the required ‘Cause of Death Certificate’.

If you require the services of a ‘Funeral Director’, please use our Business Search facility.