Arranging a Funeral
‘When a Loved One Passes'
When a death occurs, various organisations and people need to be notified. Some may not be urgent. Others should be advised more quickly to ensure possible benefits are not missed or that unnecessary visits are not made.
The following is a guide only. Not all organisations listed will be applicable and some may not appear on this list.
Pensions
- Centrelink
- Veterans Affairs
- Superannuation Authority
Utilities
- Electricity,
- Gas
- Telephone
- Water
Financial Institutions
- Bank,
- Credit Unions
- Insurance Companies
- Credit Card Companies
Medical
- Doctor,
- Dentist,
- Specialist
- Home Nursing Service
- Ambulance
Local Council
- Meals on Wheels
- Home Care
- Library
- Rates
Licences
- Drivers Licence
- Registration
- Shooting/Fishing Licence
Legal
- Solicitor
- Executor
What to Expect
After our initial arrangement meeting, we follow through on the various decisions made.
The many hours of planning and behind the scenes preparation is vital in ensuring that the funeral is carried out in accordance with your wishes.
After transporting your loved one into our care, they are lovingly nurtured with dignity and respect.
Steps to Take When a Death Occurs
Depending on where your loved one has passed, it is essential for every family to take certain steps into consideration. We trust the following information may be helpful in your decision making:
At Home
If the death occurs at home with family or friends present, your first point of contact is the family Doctor who will confirm the cause of death and issue a death certificate. This process is required by law. If the death occurs in a home and no one is present at the time of death, inform the police who will in turn notify and respond to their home, before the deceased can be transferred into our care.
Where possible, for your assurance and peace of mind, we suggest you contact the funeral director immediately to ensure the appropriate and necessary steps are implemented.
In the event you are unsure of who to notify or what to do, you may call us on 03 9308 2555 and we will assist you in notifying the appropriate services.
Whilst Under Supervised Care
When a death occurs in a care facility such as a hospital or nursing home, the professional staff will notify you and the necessary authorities including a funeral director.
The nominated funeral director will contact you immediately following their notification to provide you with the required assistance.
Sudden or Unexpected Death
If a death is sudden, accidental, or the cause of death cannot be confirmed, an appointed Doctor’s will notify the relevant authorities, the police. It is important the deceased is not moved or disturbed in any way. The police will contact a government appointed funeral contractor to transfer the deceased from the place of death to the Coroner’s mortuary. A Coroner investigation will determine the cause of death, which may involve a post mortem examination.
When the Coroner is involved and a post mortem required, the funeral preparations will inevitably be delayed until clearance is attained.
Contacting us on 03 9308 2555 allows us permission to liaise with the Coroner’s Court on your behalf before making the necessary arrangements to take your loved one into our care as soon as possible.
Interstate or Overseas
If the death occurs away from home, we arrange to have your loved one transported home and attend to the essential legal, statutory or customs requirements.
If your loved one’s wish is to be returned to their homeland for burial or cremation, our staff will tend to the extensive process of communicating with government departments on your behalf, to process the necessary documentation. We suggest you read our section on Repatriations for further information.