What happens when someone dies

What to Do When Someone Dies — Emergency Checklist

If you are reading this because someone has died suddenly, we are sorry for your loss. This guide is designed to help you through the immediate hours and days — a clear checklist of what needs to be done, in order.

You do not need to do everything at once. Focus on the first section now, and come back to the rest when you are ready.

📥 Download the printable PDF version: What to Do When Someone Dies — Emergency Checklist (PDF)

Immediate: What to Do Right Now

  1. Call emergency services (if not already done)
    Australia: 000 | UK: 999 | New Zealand: 111
  2. Stay with the person until help arrives
    Do not move the body or disturb anything around it.
  3. If the death was expected
    Contact the person’s doctor or palliative care team.
  4. Call a family member or friend
    Do not do this alone. Ask someone to come and be with you.
  5. Contact a funeral director
    Most funeral directors offer 24/7 phone support.

First 24 Hours: Paperwork and Practical Steps

Get the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death

This is the document a doctor signs confirming the cause of death. You need this before you can register the death or arrange a funeral.

  • Expected death: The treating doctor will provide it
  • Hospital death: The hospital medical team will arrange it
  • Unexpected death: The coroner will be involved — this takes longer

Notify close family and friends

Ask someone to help you make calls.

Find important documents

Start gathering: birth certificate, marriage certificate, will, passport, driver’s licence, Medicare card / NHS number, bank details, superannuation info, insurance policies, mortgage or rental agreement.

First Week: Registration and Arrangements

  • Register the death — your funeral director usually handles this
  • Order death certificate copies — order at least 5–10 certified copies
  • Choose a funeral director — ask for an itemised quote, compare providers
  • Decide on burial or cremation — take your time
  • Arrange the service — date, venue, music, readings, eulogy, livestreaming

First Month: Notifications and Estate Matters

Notify government agencies

  • Centrelink / DWP / Work and Income NZ — stop payments, check entitlements
  • Australian Electoral Commission — remove from roll
  • Passport office — cancel passport
  • Medicare / NHS — update records

Notify financial institutions

  • Banks — freeze accounts
  • Superannuation fund — claim death benefit
  • Life insurance — lodge a claim
  • Credit cards, mortgage, loans — notify

Notify other services

  • Utilities (electricity, gas, water, phone, internet)
  • Housing (landlord or mortgage provider)
  • Vehicle registration
  • Subscriptions and direct debits
  • Social media accounts

Find the will and apply for probate if needed

Looking After Yourself

  • Accept help. When people offer — let them
  • Eat and sleep. Grief is exhausting
  • Consider grief counselling. Your GP can refer you
  • Take your time. Most decisions can wait

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