What to do When Someone Dies
Knowing what to do when someone dies can be difficult. First, contact their doctor or, if necessary, the coroner. Next, notify a funeral director, who will guide you through the arrangements and transfer your loved one into their care.
Some Decisions to Think About During the Funeral Arrangements Include:
The funeral typically takes place within a few days of meeting your director, unless delayed by circumstances like waiting for family. During this time, the director will handle all arrangements.
- The type of funeral you desire
- Whether your family member has already pre-arranged their own funeral
- When & where you would like the funeral to be held
- The type of service you would like
- The type of music to be played at the service
- Which clothing you would like your loved one to wear
- Whether you desire a viewing
- What floral arrangements would be appropriate
- Who you would like to be involved
What to do if Someone Dies in a Nursing Home or Hospital
In most cases, nursing homes do not have long-term facilities to care for a loved one once they have passed away. As per standard practice, the facility will contact family and notify them of the death. From this point, a funeral director will start making arrangements for the deceased on the basis there is no coroner investigation taking place.
In a hospital scenario, there are mortuary facilities and the hospital would take care of your loved one while a funeral director will make arrangements and the family manage the release forms.
If your loved one has passed away, we’re here to help. We provide a wide range of funeral services throughout Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Ipswich, Deception Bay, Caboolture, Bribie Island, Gold Coast, Noosa, Tewantin, Maleny, Montville, Gympie, Tin Can Bay, Toowoomba and surrounding areas.
FAQs
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It can be emotionally difficult to deal with the personal belongings of a loved one who has passed away. The first step is to ensure all items are secure and accounted for. You might need to collect personal belongings from places such as their residence or hospital. Making an inventory helps in distributing the possessions according to the deceased’s will or the law if no will exists. Personal items, especially those with sentimental value like photographs and jewellery, should be handled sensitively. Consider setting aside a memory box for close friends and family as a thoughtful way to cherish shared memories.
It’s important to safeguard critical documents—such as life insurance policies and personal identification—which will be crucial for legal proceedings and funeral arrangements. Consulting a legal professional can help ensure that all processes are handled properly.
If your loved one has left a will, start by locating the original document, which is often kept with their personal papers or lawyer. The next step is to contact the executor named in the will, who will manage the estate’s administration. This process includes possibly undergoing probate, where a court legally validates the will.
The executor needs to notify all beneficiaries and any creditors, settle the deceased’s debts and distribute the remaining assets as directed by the will. Given the legal complexities involved, consulting with a lawyer is important to ensure all procedures are correctly followed.
The initial steps in funeral planning on the Sunshine Coast can seem challenging. Firstly, it is important to obtain a death certificate, as this is required for many of the upcoming procedures.
Following this, you can decide on the type of service that honours the memory of your loved one, taking into account their personal wishes or any pre-planned arrangements they might have made. Our funeral directors can support you throughout this process.
We proudly service the entire South East Queensland area, including the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Ipswich, Deception Bay, Caboolture, Bribie Island, Gold Coast, Noosa, Tewantin, Maleny, Montville, Gympie, Tin Can Bay and Toowoomba.
