What happens when someone dies?

You may have some questions about what you need to do when your loved one dies. This will depend on their circumstances and where they passed.

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In a Hospital (expected)

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When someone dies in a hospital, there is no rush to have them removed, as most hospitals have a morgue where they will keep your loved one.

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You may wish to say your goodbyes there or wait until they come into the Funeral Directors care. There is no rush. You can take your time.

 

Once you have given your Funeral Director the approval to take your loved one into care, they will organise a transfer within 24 hours. You will need to sign an authority-to-collect form that gives permission for the hospital to release your loved one into their care.

 

The hospital will provide all the relevant paperwork for either the cremation or burial to your Funeral Director.

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In a Nursing Home (expected)

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If your loved one passes away in a nursing home, the staff will organise the doctor to complete the paperwork for either a burial or cremation.

 

They will have your nominated Funeral Directors details and will call them to advise of the circumstances.

 

As most nursing homes don’t have the facilities to keep your loved one for a long time, the staff will ask the Funeral Director to take your loved one will into care within four hours after passing.

 

You have the choice to go to the nursing home or wait for them to come into the Funeral Directors care to say your goodbyes.

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At home (expected)

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If your loved one wishes to die at home, then you will need to communicate this with your doctor. Once they do pass away, you will need to call your doctor to advise them.

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Your loved one does not have to be taken away straight away. You don’t need to rush. Take your time to say your goodbyes. You may want to give them a sponge bath and dress them as they wanted.

 

After the doctor comes to issue the relevant paperwork, then your funeral director will organise to take them into care.

 

It is important to note that we can’t move your loved one without paperwork from the doctor. If you can’t get your doctor to visit, then you will need to call 000, and they will be able to help.

 

You will need to provide access to the bedroom or place where your loved one is located so that a team of two people can prepare your loved one for transfer. You may wish to be present or wait in another room.

 

At home or outside the home (unexpected)

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If your loved one passes unexpectedly, then you will need to call 000, as the case and your loved one will need to go to the coroner. The police will need to come and take statements from everyone involved.

 

Your loved one will be taken by the coroner to the closest coroner’s morgue and will be handled by the coroner’s team.

 

Once they give your funeral director the approval to take them into care, the funeral director will collect them from the morgue.

 

At this point, you may wish to see them at the coroner’s morgue or wait until they come into the care of your Funeral Director to say your goodbyes.  The coroner will issue the relevant paperwork for cremation or burial.

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Please note that this process can take up to two weeks, depending on how busy the Coroners are.

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You may be assigned a caseworker, and they will be able to assist you through this process. Your funeral director will liaise with the coroner about taking your loved one into their care.

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To find out how we can help you plan a funeral for your loved one, call us on 0283280700 or email us at info@sydneyfunerals.com.

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