What to do when someone passes away
If someone has just passed away, only a few things need to happen right now, and you have more time than it feels like. The first step depends on whether the death was expected. This page walks you through the rest, one step at a time, and you can stop whenever you need to.
Was the death expected or unexpected?
Which path you take depends on this one question, so it is worth answering first. An expected death and a sudden death are handled differently in the first hour.
If the death was expected
Call the doctor who was caring for them, or the aged care home.
This covers a death after an illness, in hospital, in palliative care or in aged care. They will confirm the death and complete the paperwork. There is no emergency, and no need to call an ambulance or the police. The first 24 hours
If it was sudden or unexpected
Call triple zero (000).
This covers an accident or a death with no clear cause. The police and a coroner may need to be involved, which is routine and does not mean anyone did anything wrong. Try not to move the person until you are told you can. When a coroner gets involved
The first few hours
Once that first call is made, nothing else is urgent. Here is what tends to happen next, at your pace.
Take your time
You can sit with the person. There is no need to hurry them away, and many families find these quiet moments matter later.
Tell the people closest to you
If you can, ask someone to be with you, even just on the phone.
Contact a funeral director when you are ready
They can bring the person into their care, often at any hour, and you do not need to have chosen one in advance. The director you call first will usually be the one who collects your loved one, and changing later can mean paying for the collection already done, so there is no harm in comparing two or three before you decide.
How to arrange a funeralMention organ or tissue donation
If the person was a registered donor, tell the hospital or medical staff straight away, as that is time-sensitive.
Find funeral directors near you
When you feel ready, search your suburb or postcode to find directors near you and compare their services and ratings.
Always free for families. No obligation to choose.
What you can sort out in the days ahead
None of this needs to happen today. When you are ready, this is the rough order, and each step has a guide that walks you through it.
Common questions
Do I have to use a funeral director?
No law in most of Australia requires you to use a funeral director. A family may care for their own person, arrange their own coffin, and lodge the death registration themselves. It is a great deal of work and most families choose a director, but it is a choice rather than a legal requirement. The main exception is Western Australia, where metropolitan Perth cemeteries require either a licensed funeral director or a single funeral permit. Your local cemetery can confirm what applies.
How long do I have to arrange the funeral?
There is usually no fixed legal deadline, and most funerals happen within one to two weeks. Some faiths hold the funeral within 24 to 48 hours.
Does the person need to be moved straight away?
No. There is no need to move the person immediately. You can take time to sit with them, and the funeral director will collect them when you are ready.
What happens if someone dies in hospital?
The hospital staff will guide you. They confirm the death and complete the medical paperwork, and the person can stay in their care until you have chosen a funeral director.
Can I hold the funeral within 24 hours?
Yes, this is common in several faiths and many directors can arrange it.
Should I get a quote before I commit?
Yes. Ask for a written itemised quote that breaks down each cost, such as transfer, care of the person, the coffin, the service and third-party costs like the crematorium or cemetery, before you sign anything or agree to your loved one being moved. In New South Wales, Fair Trading requires funeral directors to give an itemised quote with the total cost before entering into an agreement. Across Australia, Australian Consumer Law entitles you to clear and honest pricing. A director who will not put the costs in writing is one to be wary of.
