When Death Occurs
When Death Occurs
Support & Guidance When a Death Occurs
When a death occurs, the order in which things need to be done often depends on where the death occurred. But, one thing should always be remembered: Your heightened emotional state upon the death of a loved one. That's why we suggest that you ask a friend for help - someone who is more able to think clearly and give you the support you need.
In the event of a death, you should contact the person's doctor immediately as a doctor must certify that death has occurred. Normally funeral arrangements cannot be completed until the doctor has signed and issued a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. While you are waiting for the Doctor, you should contact France Family Funerals and speak with one of our Funeral Consultants. Once the certificate is issued we can then take the deceased into our care.
In Australia the great majority of deaths occur in hospital or other care facilities, in which case those authorities take care of the medical formalities.
In certain instances it may not be legally possible for the doctor to issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death and it may be necessary for police and coronial involvement.
If the doctor is unable to certify the cause of death it is necessary to contact the police, who then will liaise with coronial staff. This will be necessary in such instances as: death other than by natural causes, including violence, accidental or unusual causes; whilst under anaesthetic (or within 24 hours of the administration of an anaesthetic); unexpected death; death of a person in an institution, a prison or in police custody, drug or alcohol rehabilitation centre; when the cause of death is unknown; and when the deceased had diagnosed dementia.
Coronial staff or a Government appointed Contractor will transfer the deceased to the Coroner. In the instance of the deceased having dementia this may not be deemed necessary following police determinations.
A post mortem examination, also known as autopsy, is a detailed examination externally and of internal organs to establish the cause of death. This examination is conducted by a doctor known as a pathologist.
You can call France Family Funerals as soon as possible. We will then liaise with Coronial staff regarding release of the deceased into our care.
AT HOME OR AGED CARE FACILITY
When someone dies at home, the first contact should be with the deceased's doctor who, if satisfied with the cause of death, will issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. Immediately after informing the doctor, you should contact us. We will arrange a suitable time, day or night, to visit you and discuss your requirements.
In the case of a nursing home death, the staff at the facility should liaise with the doctor. You can call France Family Funerals as soon as possible. We will then liaise with the nursing home regarding release of the deceased into our care.
WHILE IN HOSPITAL
The nursing staff will contact you if death occurs in hospital. They will arrange for a doctor to issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. You will need to collect any belongings. If the funeral is to be a cremation, please advise the hospital staff so necessary paperwork can be completed.
Contact our funeral home immediately - we will arrange a suitable time, day or night, to meet with you to discuss the funeral arrangements and bringing the deceased into our care.
You can call France Family Funerals as soon as possible. We will then liaise with hospital staff regarding release of the deceased into our care.
UNEXPECTED DEATHS
When someone dies unexpectedly, it is normal for the Coroner to be involved. There are many reasons why this can happen. The Coroner is automatically involved in most sudden or unexpected deaths, especially if the deceased has not been under a doctor's care on a regular basis.
Contact France Family Funerals as soon as possible. We can advise on the procedures involved and liaise with the Coroner's office.
In the event of a death, you should contact the person's doctor immediately as a doctor must certify that death has occurred. Normally funeral arrangements cannot be completed until the doctor has signed and issued a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. While you are waiting for the Doctor, you should contact France Family Funerals and speak with one of our Funeral Consultants. Once the certificate is issued we can then take the deceased into our care.
In Australia the great majority of deaths occur in hospital or other care facilities, in which case those authorities take care of the medical formalities.
In certain instances it may not be legally possible for the doctor to issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death and it may be necessary for police and coronial involvement.
If the doctor is unable to certify the cause of death it is necessary to contact the police, who then will liaise with coronial staff. This will be necessary in such instances as: death other than by natural causes, including violence, accidental or unusual causes; whilst under anaesthetic (or within 24 hours of the administration of an anaesthetic); unexpected death; death of a person in an institution, a prison or in police custody, drug or alcohol rehabilitation centre; when the cause of death is unknown; and when the deceased had diagnosed dementia.
Coronial staff or a Government appointed Contractor will transfer the deceased to the Coroner. In the instance of the deceased having dementia this may not be deemed necessary following police determinations.
A post mortem examination, also known as autopsy, is a detailed examination externally and of internal organs to establish the cause of death. This examination is conducted by a doctor known as a pathologist.
You can call France Family Funerals as soon as possible. We will then liaise with Coronial staff regarding release of the deceased into our care.
AT HOME OR AGED CARE FACILITY
When someone dies at home, the first contact should be with the deceased's doctor who, if satisfied with the cause of death, will issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. Immediately after informing the doctor, you should contact us. We will arrange a suitable time, day or night, to visit you and discuss your requirements.
In the case of a nursing home death, the staff at the facility should liaise with the doctor. You can call France Family Funerals as soon as possible. We will then liaise with the nursing home regarding release of the deceased into our care.
WHILE IN HOSPITAL
The nursing staff will contact you if death occurs in hospital. They will arrange for a doctor to issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. You will need to collect any belongings. If the funeral is to be a cremation, please advise the hospital staff so necessary paperwork can be completed.
Contact our funeral home immediately - we will arrange a suitable time, day or night, to meet with you to discuss the funeral arrangements and bringing the deceased into our care.
You can call France Family Funerals as soon as possible. We will then liaise with hospital staff regarding release of the deceased into our care.
UNEXPECTED DEATHS
When someone dies unexpectedly, it is normal for the Coroner to be involved. There are many reasons why this can happen. The Coroner is automatically involved in most sudden or unexpected deaths, especially if the deceased has not been under a doctor's care on a regular basis.
Contact France Family Funerals as soon as possible. We can advise on the procedures involved and liaise with the Coroner's office.
| NSW Coroners Court - Initial Steps.pdf |
WIDENING THE CIRCLE
Our staff members are experienced professionals who can provide much of the information you need, emotional support and compassionate guidance.
While you may ask the director any questions at this time, you will be able to discuss the arrangements in detail later when you meet in person. During this initial call, the funeral director will gather information to be able to transport your loved one to the funeral home.
The funeral director may ask you several questions, including whether your loved one made any pre-arrangements. The director will also schedule a date and time for you to meet at the funeral home and will let you know what you should bring with you. Others you will need to call are:
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE FUNERAL HOME
One of the things the funeral arranger will do is to provide you with our general price list. He or she will guide you through the entire arrangement process, explaining how you can create a memorable personal celebration of your loved one's life. This is not a one-way conversation; we want to hear your ideas and desires, and use them as the foundation for the arrangement process.
This process may include:
We’d like you to bring any photos, a favourite song, or memorabilia so that you and your funeral arranger can better discuss how you would like your loved one to be remembered. Having these things, and knowing their favourite song or favourite gathering place – even their favourite activity – will help us create a truly fitting memorial service.
Our funeral arrangers will assist you in planning a loving tribute that captures the spirit of the person whose life you wish to honour. To learn more about personalising the service, please read the Honouring Life section of this Web site. The funeral arranger will discuss personalisation with you during your arrangement conference.
Our staff members are experienced professionals who can provide much of the information you need, emotional support and compassionate guidance.
While you may ask the director any questions at this time, you will be able to discuss the arrangements in detail later when you meet in person. During this initial call, the funeral director will gather information to be able to transport your loved one to the funeral home.
The funeral director may ask you several questions, including whether your loved one made any pre-arrangements. The director will also schedule a date and time for you to meet at the funeral home and will let you know what you should bring with you. Others you will need to call are:
- Family members and friends
- Clergy or other spiritual advisors
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE FUNERAL HOME
One of the things the funeral arranger will do is to provide you with our general price list. He or she will guide you through the entire arrangement process, explaining how you can create a memorable personal celebration of your loved one's life. This is not a one-way conversation; we want to hear your ideas and desires, and use them as the foundation for the arrangement process.
This process may include:
- Obtaining the information required for death registration
- Scheduling the location, date and time of services or events
- Selecting a casket, coffin or other items
- Preparing a funeral notice for newspaper or online
- Selecting pallbearers
We’d like you to bring any photos, a favourite song, or memorabilia so that you and your funeral arranger can better discuss how you would like your loved one to be remembered. Having these things, and knowing their favourite song or favourite gathering place – even their favourite activity – will help us create a truly fitting memorial service.
Our funeral arrangers will assist you in planning a loving tribute that captures the spirit of the person whose life you wish to honour. To learn more about personalising the service, please read the Honouring Life section of this Web site. The funeral arranger will discuss personalisation with you during your arrangement conference.
