logo-Centrelink

What to do first:

Few people die at home in Australia today. So, most of the time the hospital or other authorities are there to take care of the medical necessities and formalities.

When someone dies at home, you should phone the person's doctor. The doctor will explain what steps to take to get a Death Certificate.

Death Certificate

A Death Certificate is the official registration of death. It is signed by the doctor who pronounces the death and must be lodged with the relevant State or Territory Government office. You cannot make funeral arrangements without a signed Death Certificate. In most States and Territories, this office is called the 'Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages'. Your funeral director will usually organise to lodge the Death Certificate for you.

A copy of the Death Certificate for the next of kin is usually arranged by the funeral director - this may take several weeks. In unusual cases, for example if an autopsy or coronial inquiry is conducted, it could take eight weeks or longer to issue the Death Certificate.

[ return to top ]

Organising the funeral

A funeral director can arrange the funeral for you. They will arrange for the body to be removed from the place of death, certificates for the burial or cremation service and can arrange for you to view the body if you wish. The funeral director can also arrange other things like newspaper notices, flowers and religious services. If you do not know who to contact, the Funeral Director's Association in your state or territory can help.

Funeral costs can vary considerably. It is important to know what you're getting and how much it will cost. Do not be persuaded to spend more than you can afford. The funeral director should provide a quote in writing.

[ return to top ]

Insurance policies

Sometimes private health insurance, sickness and accident insurance or life insurance policies may pay funeral and other payments. For example, a few private health insurance companies contribute amounts up to around $1 500 towards the cost of a funeral. The contribution depends on the level of cover and certain conditions.

Conditions may include:

  • your relationship to the person who has died
  • the length of time he or she had the cover
  • whether a health condition that contributed to the death had existed before joining.

Please Note: If you find out the person who died had any insurance like this, phone the insurance company and ask if there is any payment available.

[ return to top ]

Funeral bonds and prepaid plans

If you think there was a prepaid funeral or funeral bonds, but cannot find the relevant papers, the papers may have been left with someone responsible such as next of kin, a solicitor, the Public Trustee, a trusted friend or the executor of the Will. You can also phone the local funeral directors. They usually have their own lists that you can check. Look for the number under 'Funeral Directors' in the Yellow Pages.

[ return to top ]

The Will

The Will is a legal document that sets out how the deceased's belongings are to be distributed after their death. It may take into account:

  • the likely value of their estate
  • special funeral arrangements
  • prepaid cemetery plots
  • beneficiaries and special gifts
  • organ donation
  • appointing an executor.

The executor of the Will is responsible for distributing the person's assets to the people named in the Will as beneficiaries. This happens after any debts are paid.

If the person has not left a Will the estate is shared under a formula set by law. The formula cannot take account of the person's wishes.

If there are no close relatives, there is a chance the estate could be paid to the State or Territory Government.

The administration of the estate may be more difficult and expensive if there isn't a Will. The State Trustee, Public Trustee or a solicitor can give you advice on what to do in these circumstances.

Depending on the State or Territory, there may have to be a 'grant of probate' if the estate is more than $10 000. This means having a court order that says the Will is the final and valid Will of the person who has died.

[ return to top ]

Did you find what you were looking for? You can also try the A-Z list, quick links, search, site help or send us feedback on how to make this a better website.

Return to Top