When someone you love dies, there are a few immediate steps to take – such as contacting a doctor if needed and speaking with a funeral director. If you’re not sure what to do first, our guide to funeral planning can help you through those early moments.
This guide focuses on the next stage – obtaining a death certificate and identifying who you may need to notify after someone dies, including government agencies, financial institutions and other service providers.
Before you can formally notify organisations about your loved one’s death, you will need to obtain their death certificate. This document is often required when updating records, closing accounts, or managing services in your loved one’s name.
A death certificate is an official document issued by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the state or territory where the death occurred. It is different from the Medical Cause of Death Certificate, which is issued by a doctor at the time of death.
In most cases, your funeral director will apply for the death certificate on your behalf. To complete the registration, you’ll be asked to provide some details about your loved one. Your funeral director will guide you through this process during the funeral arrangement meeting.
To register the death and apply for the death certificate, you’ll need to gather some details and paperwork. We recommend bringing the following to your first meeting with your funeral director.
Death certificates are usually issued by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages within two to four weeks after the death has been registered, although this can vary between states.
Many families order several certified copies of the death certificate, as different organisations may request an original copy when updating records or closing accounts.
Your funeral director will usually register the death with the relevant state authority as part of the funeral arrangements.
In many cases, organisations will ask to see a certified copy of the death certificate before they can close or transfer accounts.
Once the death certificate has been issued, there are several organisations that may need to be notified.
Organisations commonly notified after a death include:
You may need to notify agencies such as:
Several financial institutions should be informed:
Remember to contact:
If applicable, notify:
Contact relevant educational bodies if your loved one was:
Your loved one may also have belonged to community organisations or membership groups. You may wish to notify:
Different organisations have different timeframes for being notified. Financial institutions, lenders and government agencies often have stricter requirements, particularly if your loved one was receiving payments. If payments continue after a death, this can sometimes result in overpayments that may need to be repaid. For this reason, it’s best to notify these organisations as soon as reasonably possible. As a general guide, many organisations recommend notifying them within 28 days. For example, Services Australia asks to be informed of a death within 28 days where possible.
The executor or administrator of the estate, or the next of kin, is usually responsible for notifying organisations, banks and government agencies after someone dies. For more informal organisations — such as sporting clubs, community groups or memberships — families often choose to notify them in their own time. These notifications are usually less urgent and can be handled when you feel ready.
Once an organisation is notified of a death, they will usually place a hold on the account while records are updated or the estate is managed. Each organisation has its own process, but they will normally explain what documentation is required and what the next steps are.
Your funeral director will usually register the death and help obtain the death certificate. While most organisations need to be contacted by the next of kin or executor, your funeral director can guide you through the process and help you identify which organisations should be notified first.
We’re here to guide you through the loss of a loved one and celebrate their life in a way that feels right. Call us anytime, day or night.
