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Writer's pictureBruce Missen

When a Death Occurs

Updated: Nov 18

Whether it’s expected or comes as a complete surprise, losing someone you love or care for can be quite an emotional and sometimes traumatic experience. Amidst all the chaos it's important to know what to do next and more importantly, how soon after their passing. From here it all depends on where and how the death has occurred. So let's break down the process in easy steps.


IF THE DEATH HAS OCCURRED IN A HOSPITAL OR A NURSING HOME:

This is probably the easiest of locations. When a death occurs the nursing staff or the medical team will let you know if you are not already present. If A Dr wasn’t present at the time they will inform the Dr who will then attend to confirm the passing of your loved one. They will then write a medical cause of death if the death is straightforward. They will also notify the necessary authorities. No need to feel alarmed, this is normal and a required procedure.


From here you then need to contact a Funeral Director. Willow Tree Funerals are available 24 / 7, and our job is to make the next step as easy and stress-free as possible. We, Will, make arrangements to bring your loved one into our care, all we need from you at this point is for you to sign an authority, then you can leave it up to us to make all the arrangements and take care of any extra paperwork.


If your loved one, prior to their passing has already made arrangements, then you need to follow those instructions on whom to contact, but if they haven’t …. then the executor of the estate or the Next of Kin will need to make those decisions.


This can be quite a tough decision, so we encourage you to shop around and ask as many questions as you need to. The most expensive does not mean they will be the best, just the same way as the cheapest does not mean you won't receive a great service. At Willow Tree Funerals, we pride ourselves on our Professionalism, Integrity, and Genuine Empathy, We treat your family as if they were our family. Compassion and sensitivity are at the core of what we do.


IF A DEATH HAS OCCURRED AT HOME OR PLACE OF BUSINESS:

If the death has occurred at home or a place of business, the first thing you need to do is called the deceased Dr. The Dr will explain what you need to do in order to obtain a medical cause of death. If They (The Dr) cannot attend to sign the MCOD (Medical Cause of Death), then generally the matter is handed over to the Police or the Coroner in your state. This process is called a “Reportable Death”.


An Order of Disposal, provided by the coroner, or an MCOD signed by the Dr, are the legal documents required for a death to be registered with Births, Deaths, and Marriages (BDM) in any Australian state or territory. At Willow Tree Funerals, we can lodge those documents on your behalf and then provide a copy of the supplied Death Certificate from BDM when the time comes.


A copy of the registered certificate will be kept on file in our office should you ever misplace it in the future.


MAKING ARRANGEMENTS:

For many, this is where realization kicks in. Sitting down with an arranger can be quite overwhelming and probably one of the hardest things you will need to do. At Willow Tree Funeral, our staff is specially trained to ensure this stage is as easy as possible. There’s no rush, we take it at a pace that’s comfortable to you. It's okay to cry and be visibly emotional. Please don’t feel embarrassed at all, we fully understand the process of grief and bereavement.


The arrangement is broken down into two parts, The first part is gathering the required information to submit to Births Deaths and Marriages. Information that we will need will include the following.


The Deceased:

  • Full name

  • Last known address.

  • Last known occupation.

  • Date and place of birth

  • Date and place of death

  • Their father’s name.

  • Their mother’s name including maiden name (Before she was married)

  • Marital status at time of death (Single, Married, Divorced or Widowed)

  • Details of all marriages, where, when and to whom (even if they have been married multiple times)

  • Names and dates of birth of children, including legally adopted or stillborn children, as well as any who have died.

  • Centrelink and Medicare numbers

  • Veteran / Returned Serviceman status.

It will help if you have this information at the time of the arrangement, but if you don’t have it all. don’t stress. There’s time to get it later. We will provide you with a little reminder of the things that are still needed.


It will help if you have this information at the time of the arrangement, but if you don’t have it all .. don’t stress. There’s time to get it later. We will provide you with a little reminder of the things that are still needed.


The second part is making the arrangements for the funeral. In this part of the process, you will be guided through the options available to you in order to give your loved one a beautiful and memorable send-off. At Willow Tree Funerals all of our funerals are bespoke. We will work to your specifications keeping in mind the budget that you have in place. There are no high-pressure sales, or upselling. You may want a religious funeral or something more secular (non-Religious). You have the option of a Church, Chapel, Crematorium, Private Venue, or even just a Grave Side Burial. You may want to go all out and have something grand or keep it low-key with a few close families and a memorial service. You will have options of coffins and caskets, flowers, music and singers …… the choice is completely yours. Once your decision is made, we get to work to make it happen, we will organize everything from the church/chapel, the cemetery, the priest/celebrant, the flowers, cars, and so on. We will take care of everything so all you need to do is spend time with your family and then be there on the day. Your Peace of Mind is our focus.



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