The hours following the death of someone close can feel confusing. Grief arrives alongside practical questions, and families may feel pressure to make decisions before they are ready.
Holy Cross Funerals Manager Peter Mullins says there is often more time than people realise.
“People often think they need to make all the decisions straight away, but that’s rarely the case,” Peter says.
“When families feel rushed, it can create unnecessary stress at an already difficult time. We encourage people to take a breath, gather their loved ones and take the time they need. Our role is to guide them through the process and help them understand what needs to happen now and what can wait.”
What happens first will depend on where and how the person died.
If an expected death occurs at home, the family can spend some quiet time with their loved one before making calls. The person’s doctor or palliative care team should be contacted within 48 hours so the necessary medical documentation can be arranged.
For an unexpected death at home, call 000 and follow the instructions provided by emergency services.
When someone dies in a hospital or residential aged care facility, staff will explain the immediate steps and assist the family with the first arrangements.
Close relatives and friends can be contacted when the family feels ready. If there is a will, the executor should also be notified. Other early considerations may include securing the person’s home and arranging care for pets, dependants or belongings.
A funeral director can then arrange to bring the person into their care and talk the family through the choices ahead. This may include burial or cremation, the style and timing of the service and the personal details that will help create a fitting farewell.
Funeral directors also manage much of the required paperwork, including registering the death and arranging the official death certificate.
Families do not need to have every document ready before making contact. Wills, insurance policies and birth or marriage certificates can usually be located as arrangements progress. A funeral director can explain which documents will be required and when.
Some circumstances involve further procedures. An unexpected or unexplained death may be referred to the Coroner, while the executor generally handles the estate and probate matters at a later stage. For peace of mind, families can still contact the funeral company for guidance.
The first few days do not need to be managed all at once. Family, friends, grief counsellors and funeral professionals can share the practical load, allowing those closest to the person time to pause, gather and say goodbye in their own way.
Holy Cross Funerals is a not-for-profit funeral service owned by the Roman Catholic Church servicing families on the Sunshine Coast. Established in 1999, the organisation supports people of all denominations and faiths, offering traditional funerals and church ceremonies as well as private memorials and celebrations of life reflecting a family’s personal, cultural or spiritual wishes.
Visit holycrossfunerals.com.au or call (07) 3293 0555.
