What to do when someone dies
Our simple guide on what to do and who to contact when a loved one has passed away.
Who to Contact straight away
There are contacts outside of friends and family that need to be notified of your loved ones passing immediately. Knowing who to contact first depends on the circumstances of their passing and the location. The following section will help identify who should be contacted straight away.
If someone passes away At Home
If your loved one had been under the care of a Doctor at home for the last few months, you should contact that doctor as soon as possible. If the passing was expected, they will register the death and issue you a Medical Cause of Death Certificate, confirming the cause.
If you contact us, we will organise the transfer of the deceased back to our funeral home in Brisbane. However, if the death was unexpected and the person hadn’t seen a Doctor in the last few months, you will need to notify the police.
Accidental or Sudden Death
When death happens accidentally or suddenly the Police need to be notified by the family Doctor or directly by the family. In this situation, the Police will make arrangements with a Government contracted undertaker to transfer the deceased person to Coroner’s Mortuary Facilities.
Once completed, you can contact us as your designated Funeral Director to organise the required release documentation and transfer of the deceased to our Funeral Home.
In some cases, there can be delays whilst a Coroner finishes their paperwork regarding the cause of death, but this is where Silver Dove Funerals will take control of the process for you and ensure you know what is happening at all times.
At a Nursing Home
If your loved one passes away while they are a resident of an Aged Care or Nursing home, either a Registered Nurse or the Director of Nursing at the facility will make contact with the Doctor and contact your nominated Funeral Director.
Here at Silver Dove Funerals, we will then liaise between all parties to take care of the transfer of your loved one to the Funeral Home. Silver Dove Funerals provide a twenty-four-hour, seven-day-a-week service to help you anytime day or night, so call us as soon as you feel you can.
Death In A Hospital
When a person dies in the care of a Hospital, the resident Doctor who was present before the passing will provide a Medical Cause of Death Certificate.
In this case, it will be the Hospital that organises the transfer and the required documentation. The Hospital will request that you contact us as your Funeral Director to manage the transfer with them into our care.
When Someone dies Overseas or Interstate
It can be highly stressful when someone dies interstate or overseas. The remains need transferring home, whether from abroad or within Australia. Importantly, to a place of care and safety.
This situation may seem daunting but that’s why it is important to contact us as quickly as possible so we can explain the steps of what has to happen and how we will organise the safe return of your loved one.
Who to Notify Next
Once you have contacted the applicable person above, there will be a host of other parties such as immediate family and friends, insurers, banks, solicitors that will require notification.
Below, is a list of people and company contacts in alphabetical order who will need to be contacted. Not all of the contacts may apply to your loved one, but the list will help to refresh your memory and guide you during this difficult time.
Australian Taxation Office – 13 28 61
Banks & Lenders – credit cards, loans, hire purchases etc
Centrelink Payments – 1800 810 586
Child Support Payments – 13 12 72
Department of Veteran Affairs – 1800 550 457
Employer
Executor of the Will
Family and Friends
Funeral Bond/Insurance Company
Health Insurance/Benefits
Health Professionals (e.g Doctor, Hearing Centre, etc)
Hospital
Insurance Companies
Landlords or Tenants
Local Council
Local Post Office
Medicare Services – 13 20 11
Membership Clubs (e.g R.S.L, Lions, CWA, etc)
Preferred Funeral Director – Or Prepaid Funeral Provider
Religious Advisor – Church, etc
Social Worker
Solicitor
Superannuation Fund
Telecommunication Providers
Utilities Providers
Vehicle Registration
Download Our Contact Checklist
Click on the button below to download a simple version of our contact checklist. Remember, you are not alone in this, and we are available to answer your questions and help guide you through the funeral planning process during this challenging time. If you need assistance please call us on (07) 3279 5388
Support Networks and Useful Links
Silver Dove Funerals provides grief and loss support to all our families. In addition, if you or anyone you know needs help in dealing with a loss, below is a list of support groups that can be contacted. Whilst we fully support the service providers, we do not affiliate ourselves with any particular group. Therefore, this list is compiled for your assistance only.
Sands – (Free) Help and counselling for miscarriages, stillborn and newborn deaths
1300 308 307
www.sands.org.au
Lifeline – (Free) Support, help and counselling 24/7
13 11 14
www.lifeline.org.au
Parentline – Parental support 7 days a week from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm
1300 301 300
www.parentline.com.au
Beyond Blue – (FREE) Help for anxiety and depression 24/7
1300 224 636
www.beyondblue.org.au
Kids Help Line – Help and for kids and young people from 5-25 years of age, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
1800 55 1800
www.kidshelp.com.au
Salvation Army Care Line – (FREE) compassionate support around the clock seven days a week
13 72 58
www.salvos.org.au
Men’s Line – (FREE) Counselling for boys and men twenty-four hours, seven days a week
1300 789 978
www.mensline.org.au
Homicide Support – (FREE) Around the clock support service for persons who have lost someone to a homicide
1800 774 744
www.qhvsg.org.au
Silver Dove Funerals
Call: (07) 3279 5388
Email: info@silverdovefunerals.com.au
Address: 3/76 Sumners Rd, Sumner QLD 4074
Office Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday - 9am to 5pm
Immediate Care Availability:
24 Hours / 7 Days
Call: (07) 3279 5388
Helpful Links: