First Steps to Take

When a loved one dies there are several initial steps that often need to be taken. As well, medical and legal professionals have a number of duties to perform.

• If an expected death has occurred at home, you should contact your family doctor to arrange for the death to be certified. Once this is done, contact us.
• If an unexpected death has occurred, contact the emergency services in the first instance. Advise them that we will be taking care of the funeral arrangements.
• If the person has passed away at a hospital or rest home, contact us directly or advise the hospital or home that we will be taking care of the funeral and they will liaise with us.
• Notify the next of kin and family members. If you are on your own, one of your first phone calls should be to a family member or a close friend who can offer immediate support. They may be able to come and be with you or contact other family members for you. Their assistance will take some of the immediate pressure off you.
• Personal details about the deceased are required for us to register the death with the Births, Deaths and Marriages Department of Internal Affairs. Some of these details can be found on the deceased’s birth and marriage certificates if they can be located.
• The deceased’s solicitor or executor of the will also needs to be notified of the death because sometimes funeral instructions are noted in a person’s will.
• A death notice is usually inserted in the local newspaper (and/or elsewhere) to advise the general community that the death has occurred.