Arranging a Funeral > What to Do when Someone Dies

What to Do when Someone Dies

The majority of deaths within Australia occur within a hospital or aged care facility and the staff will offer support and take care of the medical formalities and legal requirements. However, when a death occurs elsewhere, the first person that should be contacted is a doctor, who will assist in obtaining a death certificate.

In the event where a doctor is unable to sign the certificate of death, the death must be referred to the coroner. Where a reportable death occurs, that is an usually an unexpected or accidental death, the death will be reported to the Coroner for the cause of death to be determined and confirmed.

It is a requirement by law to have a death certificate signed by a doctor or coroner before a funeral director can take the deceased into their care.

Wherever and whenever a death occurs Latrobe Vallery Funeral Services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you, please contact us.