What's Next? Funeral Planning in Darwin

The funeral planning process is stressful and extremely challenging for most families. Many people don’t even know what to do when they find out their loved one has passed away. Here is our “what’s next” checklist to help you map out the days and weeks after you find out a loved one has died.

When Someone Dies:

In many instances, people do not know what to do first or who to contact when someone dies. It can depend on where and how the person dies.

Regardless of the time or circumstances of the death, please call Territory Funerals so our funeral directors can support and guide you and your family through the process of making funeral arrangements for your loved one.

Once the doctor has confirmed the cause of death, we can start helping you make the necessary funeral arrangements in line with your wishes and those of the deceased.

When Someone Dies:

In many instances, people do not know what to do first or who to contact when someone dies. It can depend on where and how the person dies.

Regardless of the time or circumstances of the death, please call Territory Funerals so our funeral directors can support and guide you and your family through the process of making funeral arrangements for your loved one.

Once the doctor has confirmed the cause of death, we can start helping you make the necessary funeral arrangements in line with your wishes and those of the deceased.

Death at Home:

If your loved one passes away at home, the first person you should contact is their Doctor. If the Doctor has treated your loved one in the past and can confirm the cause of death, they can issue a medical cause of death. While waiting for the doctor to arrive, please call us so we can start making arrangements to take your loved one into our care at the appropriate time.

Death in a Hospital or Nursing Home:

In this instance, the staff at the hospital or nursing home will be able to make arrangements for the Doctor to issue a medical cause of death. Please contact us as soon as possible so we can begin liaising with the hospital or nursing home.

Death in a Hospital or Nursing Home:

Sudden or Unexpected Death:

If the death is sudden or accidental or the cause of death cannot be confirmed, it’s the Doctor’s responsibility to notify the police. In these cases, it’s important the deceased is not moved or disturbed in any way without the authorisation of the Coroner. The police will contact a government-appointed funeral contractor to transfer the deceased from the place of death to the Coroner’s mortuary.

The Coroner will then investigate and determine the cause of death, which may involve a post mortem examination. This procedure may slightly delay the funeral arrangements until the necessary clearance is obtained.

You have the right to choose your funeral director to take care of the deceased and attend to the funeral arrangements in line with your wishes.

Please contact us as soon as possible so we can liaise with the Coroner on your behalf and make the necessary arrangements to take your loved one into our care as soon as we can.

Interstate or Overseas Death:

If the death occurs away from home (interstate or overseas), you should notify us immediately so we can make arrangements to transport the deceased to Darwin or Palmerston so they can be part of any legal, statutory or family ceremonies you are planning.

If your loved one’s wish was to be returned to their homeland for burial, please contact us. We can attend to the extensive process of contacting government departments for you and processing the necessary documentation on your behalf.

Who To Contact

On many occasions, families have asked Territory Funerals who they need to contact when a loved one has passed away.

Below is a checklist of businesses, government departments or organisations that might help you and your family:

Funeral Director
Centrelink
Executor
Accountant
Insurance Agents
Finance Company
Solicitor / Public Trustees
Employer / Employees
Business Representatives

Lease / Hire equipment
Union / Club Memberships Hospital
Doctor / Dentist / Chemist
Medicare / Private Health
Electricity / Gas / Phone
Electoral Office
Ambulance
Neighbours
Passport / Visas

Nursing Home / Palliative Care
Seniors Card
Bank / Building Society
Brokers
Taxation Department
Superannuation Company
Creditors / Debtors
Contractors
Customers

Hospital
Optometrist
Newsagency
Local Council
Local Shop
Landlord / Property Manager
Place of study
Drivers Licence / Vehicle Registration
Meals on Wheels / Blue Nurses

Dos and Don’ts

At this time of grieving, families might be unsure about what to do and what not to do. Here are some tips that might help:

DO have a notepad beside your phone.

DO make notes of what you have done.

DO ask for assistance.

DO make sure you understand what is being said regarding funeral planning.

DO write down calls that have to be returned.

DON’T be ashamed to ask for financial assistance.

DON’T rush into anything you do not understand.

DON’T make any decisions about wills or estates until you can think clearly.

DON’T be ashamed to show your feelings. If you want to cry, then go ahead. If you feel like screaming or yelling, do that too!

DON’T let anyone remove any personal belongings. Do it yourself when you are ready.

DON’T be afraid to accept help when offered. Remember you may be able to return the support in the future