When someone passes away, the first moments and hours can feel overwhelming. You may not be sure what to do, who to call, or what happens next. We’re here to help you.
This guide explains what typically happens immediately after a death in Australia, so you have a clear sense of what to expect. The processes can vary depending on the state and circumstances.
In simple terms
The first steps after a death usually involve confirming the death, contacting the right people, and beginning initial arrangements.
You don’t need to have everything figured out right away.
In plain English
If you’re not sure what to do right now, for most expected dates focus on just three things:
- Confirm the death (doctor or hospital)
- Contact a funeral director
- Notify close family and friends
Many other tasks can wait, although urgent safety, care, or property issues may need attention sooner.
If the death occurs in a hospital or aged care facility
In many hospital or aged care settings, staff will guide you through the immediate steps.
- A doctor or medical practitioner will usually confirm the death
- Staff can usually explain the process for transfer to a funeral director and what the family needs to do.
- They may help arrange for the person to be transferred to a funeral director
You will usually be given time and support during this process.
If the death occurs at home
If the death occurs at home, contact the person’s doctor, palliative care team, or emergency services depending on the circumstances.
A medical practitioner generally needs to confirm/certify the death before the later more formal steps can proceed.
If the death is unexpected
If a death is sudden, unexpected, unexplained, violent, or reportable:
- Police may attend
- The death may need to be reported to the coroner depending on the circumstances.
This can be part of the formal process for certain deaths, including where the cause or circumstances need to be established.
While this can feel confronting, it is a normal part of handling certain types of deaths.
What happens next
Once the death has been confirmed, a few practical steps usually follow.
Contact a funeral director
A funeral director can often help with:
- transfer or transporting the person
- guide you through funeral arrangements
- handle much of the death registration paperwork
- related practical steps
Inform close family and friends
You may want to let immediate family and close friends know.
This doesn’t have to happen all at once, take your time.
What you don’t need to do immediately
It’s important to know that many tasks can wait.
You do not need to immediately: In many cases, banks and financial matters can be dealt with after the immediate steps, although urgent issues should be handled sooner if needed.
Most legal and estate decisions can wait until the immediate steps are handled, unless there is an urgent issue.
You do not need to organise the entire estate in the first hours or days.
Those steps come later.
What happens in the next few days
After the immediate steps, attention often turns to:
- arranging the funeral
- locating the will
- gathering key information
A moment to pause
The time immediately after a death is not just about practical steps, it’s also a time of grief and adjustment.
It’s okay to take things slowly and ask for help where needed.
You don’t have to do everything at once. You don’t have to do everything alone.
What comes next
Once the immediate steps are handled, the later steps often include understanding the estate and whether a court grant, such as probate or letters of administration, is required.
Learn more:
Take things one step at a time
There is no perfect way to navigate the first hours and days after someone dies.
What matters is taking the next step when you’re ready.