when a death has occurred

Unexpected Death: Call 000 immediately

If somebody has died unexpectedly at home or in a public space it is important to call 000 for police and / or ambulance attendance.

Ambulance officers will verify the death and will determine with police officers if a referral to the Coroner’s Court of Victoria is required OR a funeral company should be contacted to arrange a transfer into their care.

Expected Death at home: Contact the treating doctor

When a person has passed at home and their death is expected, the treating Doctor or Palliative Care Service should be notified of the death and be asked to confirm that they are able to complete a medical death certificate.

Once this has been confirmed our company can be contacted to arrange a transfer into our care. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to arrange the transfer at any time.

Resident of Aged Care or Palliative Care Home or small Hospital

Usually the next of kin will be asked to nominate a funeral company when a death is pending or soon after a death has occurred. Transfers from these facilities are usually required soon after the death has been verified by a Registered Nurse at these homes. This may also apply to smaller hospitals, particularly those in regional areas.

We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to arrange the transfer into our care at any time and can either be contacted by the next of kin or a representative (including facility staff) on (03)9419 0004.

Patient of a Major Hospital

It is not necessary to contact a funeral directly immediately if a person has passed in a large hospital. As hospitals usually have their own mortuaries, transfers by a funeral director are not required quickly unless requested by the hospital.

We can be contacted by the next of kin or their representative to provide our pricing, answer any questions and initiate funeral arrangements when required. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  

Traveller Overseas

If someone dies overseas it is important to contact the nearest Australian embassy, high commission or consulate or phone the Emergency Consulate Service on 1300 555 135 (in Australia).

You are not required to travel to the country unless you wish. It is likely that you will need to engage a Funeral Service in the country where the person died.

When a person has travel insurance, their insurer should be contacted to confirm what costs are covered. Insurance companies can also provide a list of funeral directors in other countries, provide advice on local funeral services and sometimes take care of arrangements for a local funeral service or the return of her person to Australia.

If you have decided to repatriate the person back to Australia, a local Australian company will need to be contacted to make funeral arrangements and liaise with the overseas funeral company to arrange a transfer from the airport.

If wishing to arrange a funeral service in Victoria, we are able to assist and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide a quote for our service and additional information.

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