What to do when someone dies in Victoria?
Losing a loved one can be overwhelming, and many families are unsure of what needs to happen next. Whether the death occurs at home, in hospital, in aged care, or unexpectedly, there are a number of important steps that need to be taken.
At Lonergan & Raven Funerals, we have been assisting Melbourne families through this process for generations. This guide explains what to do when someone dies in Victoria and how a funeral director can help.
Step 1: Confirm the Death.
The first step depends on where the person has passed away.
If the death occurs in hospital
Hospital staff will confirm the death and guide you through the immediate next steps. You may be asked whether you have chosen a funeral director, but there is usually no need to make immediate decisions.
If the death occurs in aged care
Staff will contact the person’s doctor or an appropriate medical practitioner to certify the death. They will then discuss arrangements for transferring your loved one into the care of a funeral director.
Most of the time when your loved one is placed into an aged care facility, they will have already asked if they have a chosen funeral director, though that is not always the case.
If the death occurs at home and was expected
Contact the deceased person’s doctor, palliative care team or ambulance. They will need to confirm the death and complete the necessary verification of death before a funeral director can transfer your loved one into their care.
If the death occurs unexpectedly
Call Triple Zero (000). Police and emergency services will attend and determine whether the death needs to be referred to the Coroner. If the coroner becomes involved, they will guide the process and keep family informed. They will also provide you with a case number (a string of number with the year at the end), this number is important and should be kept safe.
Step 2: Contact a Funeral Director
Once the death has been confirmed, you can contact a funeral director at any time, day or night. If the death occurred at a hospital or aged care, you can ask the staff to call on your behalf.
A funeral director can:
Transfer your loved one into their care
Arrange mortuary accommodation
Coordinate medical and legal documentation
Assist with registration of the death
Organise burial or cremation
Arrange funeral notices and memorial stationery
Coordinate clergy, celebrants, cemeteries and crematoria
Provide guidance throughout the entire process
If you are unsure what type of service your loved one would have wanted, there is no need to have all the answers immediately. Your funeral director can discuss the available options with you.
Step 3: Locate important documents
While not always required immediately, it can be helpful to locate:
Birth Certificate
Marriage certificate (if applicable)
Medicare card
Pension or concession cards
Passport
Veterans’ affairs information
Prepaid funeral contract documents
Will or estate planning documents
Do not worry if some documents cannot be located straight away. Most can be located later if required.
Step 4: Decide on Burial or Cremation
One of the main decisions families will need to make is whether their loved one will be buried or cremated.
Factors that may influence this decision include:
Religious or cultural beliefs
Family traditions
Personal wishes of the deceased
Cemetery availability
Budget considerations
If your loved one left instructions in a will or discussed their wishes with the family, these should be considered when making arrangements.
Step 5: Plan the Funeral Service
There is no single “right” way to hold a funeral.
Some families choose:
A chapel service
A graveside service
A memorial service
A private family gathering
A no-service cremation or burial
The service can be personalised almost completely with music, photographs, readings, flowers, cultural traditions and personal tributes.
Step 6: Registering the Death
In Victoria, all deaths must be registered with the Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM).
Your funeral director will normally go through the required fields with you during the arrangements, or have you take a form home to fill out and return.
The death cannot be registered with BDM until after the burial or cremation takes place, and then usually takes few weeks to be processed and sent to the applicant.
Step 7: Notify Organisations
Following the funeral, there are a number of organisations that may need to be notified, including:
Banks and financial institutions
Centrelink
Medicare
Insurance providers
Utility companies
Superannuation funds
Employer
Subscription services
Many families choose to tackle these tasks gradually over several weeks rather than all at once. Ask your funeral director if they have a printed list of places you might need to contact.
Take Things One Step at a Time
In the days following a death, it can feel as though there is an overwhelming amount to do. The most important thing to remember is that you do not need to navigate the process alone.
An experienced funeral director can guide you through each step, answer your questions, and help ensure that practical arrangements are handled with care and professionalism.
Need Immediate Assistance?
Lonergan & Raven Funerals provides 24-hour assistance throughout Melbourne and Victoria.
If someone has died and you need guidance, our team is available day or night to help you understand the next steps and make arrangements that honour your loved one’s life.