The registration of deaths and provision of certificates is the responsibility of the State and Territory governments in Australia.

To register a death, formal notification needs to be submitted to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in your State or Territory, usually within 7 to 14 days of the funeral.

This is done by the person responsible for organising the interment of the deceased (usually the funeral director), and the relevant medical practitioner (or the Coroner), who will have issued a ‘Cause of Death Certificate’.

In some states, if the Coroner’s investigation takes some time, the Registry can issue an interim death certificate which can be used to begin settlement of the deceased’s estate.

In the case of a stillborn child, seek advice from your doctor, social worker or a funeral director regarding your states legislative requirements, or alternatively, contact the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in your State or Territory for clarification.

For more information you can access: Births, Deaths & Marriages Registries in your State or Territory.

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