What to Do When Someone Dies
When a death occurs, it can feel overwhelming — especially if you have never had to make funeral arrangements before. We encourage you to contact Distinctive Funerals at any time of the day or night. We will guide you through what happens next and support you from the very first call.
If the Death Occurs in Hospital
When a death occurs in hospital, you are welcome to contact us as soon as the death has occurred. You do not need to wait for medical paperwork to be completed before calling us.
We will liaise with hospital staff and manage the process on your behalf.
If the Death Occurs in an Aged Care Facility
Staff at the facility will contact the treating doctor to complete the necessary paperwork. As many aged care facilities are unable to care for the deceased for extended periods, we ask that you notify us promptly so we can arrange the transfer of your loved one into our care once documentation is complete.
If the Death Occurs at Home (Expected Death)
If the death was expected and the person was under the care of a palliative care team, please contact the palliative care provider first. They will attend, confirm the death, and guide you on the immediate next steps.
Once this has occurred, please contact us and we will arrange the transfer of your loved one and begin supporting you with funeral arrangements.
If the death at home was not expected, please see the section below.
Unexpected or Sudden Death
When a death is sudden, accidental, or the cause cannot be confirmed, the police must be notified. They will arrange the next steps. This may include a phone call to your loved ones regular treating GP or to the Coroner.
In some cases, a post-mortem examination may be required, which can result in a short delay before funeral arrangements can proceed. During this time, we can liaise directly with the coroner on your behalf and begin planning the funeral so everything is ready when permission is granted.
We Are Here to Help
You do not need to manage this alone. One phone call is enough to begin — we will guide you with care, clarity, and understanding.