The time following a death differs depending on the circumstances. It might be peaceful, or alternatively very emotional and distressing. If at home, there are things that need to be organised (such as ringing the doctor or palliative care nurse). Family and friends will often help during this time, or sometimes provide support just by being around.

It may help to have a written plan of action prepared in advance – a list of actions, names and phone numbers. Consider which family and friends should be phoned.
 
When at home, an expected death is not an emergency. There is no rush to call for help. There is no need to call for the police or for an ambulance. Some people may not want to be alone, so may call a friend or family member to be with them. Ring the community nurse or the doctor as arranged in advance. A doctor will need to come and certify the death, but if the person was expected to die this is not urgent.
 
If a doctor has seen the person recently and they die at home during the night, many people are happy to wait until morning to call the doctor. Family members may want to spend quiet time together with the person who has died before they inform anyone.
 
If the death occurs in hospital (or an aged care facility or hospice) the nurses will explain what needs to be done. There are also things that will need to be planned for (such as the choice of funeral director, the funeral itself, and notifying others).

Resources

• The Cancer Council of Australia has a website with information on what to do after a death.
• The Canadian Virtual Hospice has useful information on The moments after a death.
• Palliative Care Victoria has a helpful leaflet entitled what to do when someone dies.
• Centrelink has some helpful information on what to do first. This has been translated into different languages including Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Spanish and Vietnamese.
• ServiceSA has useful information that may be of help when someone dies.
• The Australian Funeral Directors Association has a list of frequently asked questions.
• The Bereavement Advice Centre has information about What to do after a death. This is a practical website taking readers step by step through the process. While this is a UK site and phone numbers and some terms are different much of the information is still relevant.
• The Carers UK website has information on life after caring.

Related CareSearch pages

Grief and loss
 

This page was created on 26 May 2009 and is due for review in May 2011
Last updated 04 August 2009*