What to do when someone dies

The first thing that must be done, and this can be organised prior to death, is to contact a funeral director. 

A funeral director supports grieving families by managing the practical arrangements for a farewell. This can include transporting the deceased, obtaining legal permits, registering the death with state authorities, and coordinating the venue, celebrant, and catering where needed.

A funeral director’s responsibilities fall into three main areas:

1. Legal and Administrative Duties

• Death Registration: Collecting medical certificates and submitting the required paperwork to register the death with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, or the relevant state authority, and obtain official death certificates.

• Notices and Stationery: Drafting and placing death notices in local publications like the Canberra Times and organising order of service booklets.
• Liaison: Booking the chapel, church, or venue and scheduling the cremation or burial through local operators (e.g., the ACT Public Cemeteries Authority at Gungahlin or Norwood Park).

2. Mortuary Care and Personal Touches

• Care of the Deceased: Transporting the loved one, providing mortuary care, and arranging embalming and dressing according to the family’s wishes.
• Service Personalisation: Helping families choose coffins, floral tributes, music playlists, and organising viewings.

3.  Arranging the Ceremony

• Ensuring the service runs seamlessly on the day, directing attendees, and managing the movement of the hearse and floral arrangements.

In the ACT there are several funeral directors who you can contact.  These include:

William Cole Funerals (Belconnen)

Toscan Dinn Funerals (Weston)

Simplicity Funerals