Immediate assistance
If your loved one has died unexpectedly, outside of professional care, call 000.
If the death was anticipated, call their doctor. They will sign or arrange for a certificate that confirms the death.
If they died in aged care, at a hospital or in a hospice, you do not need to do anything. The staff will:
- arrange for a doctor to complete necessary documentation
- advise you about how long they can care for the body
Contact a Funeral Director
Several funeral directors are available within the Shoalhaven and work with us regularly. Others can be found through an online search or by checking the phone directory.
The person who has died may have left instructions as to which funeral director they would like you to contact, or you may have recommendations from family or friends. If not, feel free to speak with different funeral directors before making a selection.
Your selected funeral director will take responsibility for the transport and care of the person who has died, will lodge the relevant death registration forms and assist in the placement of any notices. They can help you in deciding between burial or cremation options, along with arranging a funeral if you decide to hold one.
Step by step government assistance
The NSW Government has gathered step by step advice and information about what needs to be done following a death.
Grief support and resources
The effects of grief and how to deal with it are covered on the healthdirect website:
The NSW Government also lists a range of specialised grief support services on their website:
There are also a number of mental health support services available to assist: