What to do when someone dies
This information is a guide only and doesn’t replace independent legal advice. This is also not a complete list of the organisations you might need to contact.
When someone dies, it can be a difficult time, so it might be helpful to have a friend or family member to help you with these tasks. If you are really struggling to cope and need immediate support, contact Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Locate personal papers
Before you start making calls, try to find the deceased person’s personal papers. Look for documents such as:
- Will
- pre-paid funeral paperwork
- birth and marriage certificates
- property ownership information
- life insurance and/or superannuation policies
- bank account details.
Who to contact
As soon as possible and within the first 24 hours, we suggest you contact:
- a doctor—if the person died at home
- family and friends
- preferred funeral director
- the executor of the person’s Will, if known.
Other organisations to consider contacting might include the following. Some of these tasks may be completed by the executor of the deceased person’s Will:
- mortgage provider or property landlord
- Centrelink or Veterans Affairs—if the person was receiving a benefit
- pension authority from applicable country, if the person was receiving an overseas pension
- Medicare
- Australian Taxation Office
- gas, electricity and telecommunication providers
- local council for rates and water accounts
- Department of Transport for motor vehicle registration and driver’s license
- bank, building society or credit union
- Australian Electoral Office
- accountant
- insurance companies
- superannuation funds
- home nursing services
- Meals on Wheels
- health funds.
You can also use the Australian Death Notification Service, which is an online service that helps you to notify multiple organisations.
If you have any other questions, please contact us on 1300 360 044.