Someone Has Died in NSW: What to Do in the First 48 Hours

If someone has just died, very little has to happen straight away. First, a doctor (or, in some cases, the police) needs to confirm the death. After that, you choose a funeral director, who will take the person into their care and help with the paperwork. Nearly everything else can wait a few days. In Australia, funerals usually take place one to two weeks after the death.

Key takeaways

Where the death happened decides who you call first: hospital staff, the GP, or Triple Zero (000).

You don't have to choose a funeral director in the first hour. You can ask two or three for an itemised quote.

The executor named in the will usually makes the decisions. If there isn't one, it's the senior next of kin.

The funeral is normally paid from the estate. Many banks will release money from the person's account if you give them an itemised funeral invoice.

Tell Services Australia soon. A surviving partner or carer may be able to get a bereavement payment.

First, if you can, sit down, drink some water, and call one person who can be with you. One person who had lost a parent put it simply: "no amount of prep and knowing it was coming prepared me" (r/Adelaide).

Who do I call first? It depends on where the death happened

Where the death happened	Who to call	What happens next
In hospital or aged care	Staff handle it. Ask them what happens next	The hospital gives the doctor's certificate to the funeral director you choose. You can usually spend time with the person on the ward (Sydney Local Health District)
At home, expected (for example, palliative care)	The person's GP or palliative care team. You don't need to call emergency services	A doctor completes the certificate. If no doctor can come, a nurse or ambulance officer can verify the death in the meantime. The funeral director can then come to the home
At home, sudden or unexpected, or if you're unsure	Triple Zero (000)	Ambulance and police will attend. Some deaths are reported to the coroner, the official who investigates unexpected deaths. If so, the Coronial Information and Support Program (02 8584 7777) can tell you when a funeral can go ahead

The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is the doctor's form. It isn't the same thing as the official death certificate. The death certificate is issued later by the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, and there's a fee for it. Your funeral director can apply for it on your behalf (SLHD).

Do I have to decide everything today?

No. Most things can wait. Once the death has been confirmed and the person is somewhere safe (on the ward, or with a funeral director), you have time.

Write down what they wanted. One of the most upvoted pieces of advice in a thread like this was "Write down anything he told you asap so you don't forget what any of his wishes were" (r/Adelaide).
Look for the will. It names the executor and may include funeral wishes.
Don't make big money decisions. The same thread warned against "spending your inheritance" while you're in shock.
Telling banks and companies can wait. The hospital's own guidance says these notifications "don't need to be rushed" (SLHD).

As for timing, Australians in one thread said "1–2 weeks is normal" between the death and the funeral, and that the timing is "generally up to the family or next of kin" (r/AskAnAustralian). Cultural or religious needs can change this. Tell hospital staff and your funeral director early if there are practices that need to be observed.

Who legally decides about the funeral in NSW?

Usually it's the executor named in the will. In hospital, the funeral director will ask the executor to sign the form that releases the body. If there's no will, or the executor can't be reached, the senior next of kin gives consent (SLHD). When families disagree, the usual order is the executor, then the spouse or partner, then adult children, then parents, but "it depends on the circumstances and jurisdiction" (Willed). If there's a serious dispute, talk to a solicitor before signing anything.

How do I choose a funeral director without being rushed?

You don't have to use the first name you're given. You can call two or three funeral directors and ask each one for the same arrangement.

NSW funeral directors must give you an itemised written quote before you agree to anything. They must also show their cheapest package and their prices on their website (NSW Fair Trading).
Ask if the price applies to your postcode, and whether there are extra charges for collection after hours or from a hospital.
Ask who will care for the person and where. NSW price lists must give the location of the mortuary and crematorium.
Watch for pressure. One family told CHOICE "we thought we had no choice" (CHOICE). You always have a choice, even after the person has been collected.

If you want a service but not right away, a direct cremation (no service, no attendance) followed by your own gathering later is a common, dignified choice. See what a funeral really costs in Sydney for price ranges.

Who pays for the funeral, and can the bank release money?

The funeral is normally paid from the estate, which means the money and property the person left. In a large Australian thread, people noted that "banks may release funds for a funeral with an itemised bill", and suggested also checking "unions, super, and membership benefits" (r/Adelaide). In practice:

Ask the funeral director for an itemised invoice in the name of the estate.
Take it to the person's bank with the doctor's certificate or death certificate. Ask about its process for paying funeral costs from the account.
Keep every receipt. The executor will need them.

If the person had debts, those are generally paid from the estate before anything goes to beneficiaries. If you're worried, the free National Debt Helpline was the service people recommended (r/australia). For limited budgets, see the NSW Government's guidance on how much funerals cost.

What about Centrelink and Services Australia?

Tell Services Australia about the death. Payments can depend on "when you tell us about the person's death" (Services Australia).

Partner: if you and your partner were both receiving a pension, or an income support payment for at least the previous 12 months, you may get a bereavement payment. It's a lump sum worked out over a 14-week period starting from the date of death.
Carer: you may get a lump sum of up to 14 weeks of Carer Allowance. If you were on Carer Payment, you may keep receiving it for up to 14 weeks.
After the death certificate is issued, the Australian Death Notification Service can notify some organisations for you, though not all of them.

Printable checklist: the first 48 hours

Today

[ ] Death confirmed (hospital staff, GP or palliative team, or 000 if sudden)
[ ] Ask if the coroner is involved
[ ] Call one support person
[ ] Write down any wishes the person told you about (burial or cremation, faith, music)
[ ] Find the will and the executor's contact details

Tomorrow

[ ] Get itemised quotes from two or three funeral directors for the same arrangement
[ ] Confirm the price applies to the collection postcode, and ask about after-hours or hospital fees
[ ] Executor (or senior next of kin) signs the release form
[ ] Tell any cultural or religious needs to the funeral director

This week

[ ] Ask the funeral director to register the death and order death certificates
[ ] Get an itemised invoice in the name of the estate and ask the bank about paying from the account
[ ] Check super, union and membership funeral benefits
[ ] Tell Services Australia; use the Australian Death Notification Service once you have the certificate
[ ] Set a funeral date. One to two weeks after the death is common

FAQ

What needs to be organised when someone dies in Australia, step by step? First, the death is confirmed. Then you choose a funeral director, who registers the death and arranges the funeral. Then the executor deals with the estate and notifications. In the first 48 hours, only the first two steps are urgent.

Do I need to call an ambulance if they died at home? Not if the death was expected and the person had palliative care. Call their GP or palliative team instead. If the death was sudden or unexpected, call 000.

Can I use the deceased person's bank account to pay for the funeral? Often, yes. Many banks will pay an itemised funeral invoice from the person's account. Ask the bank what documents it needs.

How long after death is the funeral in Australia? Usually one to two weeks. It can be longer if the coroner is involved, or shorter for faith traditions that require a quick burial.

Do I have to use the funeral director the hospital suggests? No. You can choose any funeral director and compare quotes before you sign.

Who has the legal right to make funeral decisions when the family disagrees? Usually the executor named in the will. If there isn't one, it's the senior next of kin. If the disagreement is serious, get legal advice early.

When you're ready

Farewell Index does not take emergency bookings. If you need someone to collect the person now, call a funeral director directly. When you have a moment, you can compare published listings of 65 Sydney funeral directors by area and service (including cultural services) and shortlist three. You can also copy our quote checklist so every quote covers the same things.

Please note: This article is general information, not legal, financial or medical advice. The rules depend on your circumstances. Speak to a solicitor about the will or the estate, contact Services Australia about payments, and follow the guidance of hospital staff, your doctor or the coroner.

Sources

Independent general guidance. Provider prices, availability, package inclusions and legal obligations may change. Ask for an itemised written quote and verify your own circumstances before making arrangements.

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