There is no right way to feel right now. Shock, disbelief, sadness, even a strange calm — all of it is normal. What we can do is give you a clear picture of what needs to happen, so you're not trying to figure it out while you're still processing what has just happened.

This guide is specifically for Australians. The steps vary slightly depending on where and how the death occurred, but the overall process is the same across the country.

The very first step — who to call

What to do first depends on where the death has occurred.

If the death happened at home

Call 000 if the death was unexpected, sudden, or if the cause is unknown. Police and paramedics will attend. This is required by law — you cannot move the body or contact a funeral director until a doctor or coroner has confirmed the death and issued a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD).

If the death was expected — for example, following a terminal illness with palliative care in place — call the person's GP or the palliative care team. They will attend and issue the MCCD. Once that has been done, you can contact a funeral director.

If the death happened in hospital or aged care

The medical team will handle the death certificate and notify you when the paperwork is complete. The hospital or facility will keep the deceased in their care until you are ready to contact a funeral director. There is no rush — you do not need to make a decision within hours.

If the death was sudden or unexpected

Call 000. The police will attend and the death may need to be reported to the State Coroner. This is a legal requirement, not a reflection on anyone. The coroner's office will guide you through what happens next. In some cases, a post-mortem may be required before the body can be released to a funeral director.

Remember

You do not need to contact a funeral director immediately. The body can remain with the hospital, aged care facility, or in the care of the coroner while you take time to grieve and make decisions.

What needs to happen in the first 24 hours

The list feels long. It isn't, when you break it down. Most of these steps take minutes and can be done in any order.

  1. Confirm the death officially. A doctor, paramedic or coroner must confirm the death and issue the required documentation. You cannot proceed with any arrangements until this has happened.
  2. Notify immediate family. Call the people closest to the deceased. Let them know in person or by phone if possible — a text message is fine if distance makes it necessary. There is no perfect way to do this.
  3. Contact a funeral director — when you're ready. They will take the deceased into their care and walk you through next steps. You do not need to have made any decisions before you call. A good funeral director will ask questions, not push you toward choices.
  4. Locate the Will, if one exists. It doesn't need to be read today — but knowing where it is matters. Check with close family members, the deceased's solicitor, or look for a physical copy in their home.
  5. Let the most important people know. Employer, close friends, faith community if relevant. Everything else — banks, government agencies, subscriptions — can wait several days or longer.
  6. Look after yourself and those around you. Eat something. Accept help when it's offered. You do not need to be strong for everyone right now.

What can wait

Almost everything else can wait. In the fog of the first 24 hours, it can feel like every decision is urgent. Most aren't.

Practical things worth doing today

If you're the person taking charge — whether or not that's formally your role — a few small things will make the coming days easier.

Write things down

You will have more conversations in the next few days than you can remember. Keep a notepad or your phone nearby. Write down names, numbers, reference numbers, what was said and by whom. Your memory is not reliable right now and that's completely expected.

Ask for help with food

If people are gathering, someone will need to think about food. Let someone else organise it. If friends and family ask what they can do, food is always a useful answer.

Keep important documents together

The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, any existing Will or funeral pre-arrangement documents, and the deceased's Medicare card and ID will all be needed soon. Keep them in one place.

Don't make irreversible decisions today

If a funeral director, florist or anyone else is pushing you to make decisions that feel rushed, it's completely acceptable to say "I need a day before I decide." Reputable providers will not pressure you.

Looking after yourself

Grief is physically exhausting. The shock and stress of the first hours after a death — even an expected one — affects your body as well as your mind. Drink water. Try to eat. If you are struggling, call someone you trust or contact Griefline on 1300 845 745.

If the death was sudden, traumatic, or by suicide, the grief experience is different and the support you need may be more specialised. StandBy provides free face-to-face support for those bereaved by suicide across Australia.

A note on the days ahead

The first 24 hours are just the beginning of a process that will unfold over weeks and months. The Remember Well• First Steps guide walks you through everything that comes next — clearly, one step at a time.

When you're ready to plan the farewell

Once the immediate steps are taken and you've had time to breathe, the question of how to farewell your loved one comes next. This involves choosing a funeral director, deciding on burial or cremation, and planning a service that honours who they were.

Remember Well• guides you through every part of this — from the first decisions to a complete summary document you can hand directly to your funeral director. You don't have to carry all the information in your head or repeat yourself in every conversation.

You don't have to figure this out alone.

Remember Well• walks you through every step — from the first hours to the final farewell. Free to start, save and come back to any time.

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