When someone dies in NSW, the first step is to confirm the death. Call 000 if it is sudden or unexpected, or call the doctor or palliative care team if it was expected. Next, contact a funeral director, who can bring your loved one into their care and guide you through what follows: locating the will, arranging the funeral, registering the death with the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, and notifying the right organisations.
Losing someone you love is one of life’s hardest moments, and trying to think clearly about practical steps at the same time can feel impossible. If you are reading this in the first hours after losing someone, please be gentle with yourself. There is no need to do everything at once, and you do not have to do it alone. This guide walks through what to do when someone dies in NSW, step by step, so you know what comes next and who can help. It is general information rather than legal advice, and our team at Keith Logue & Sons is here to help families across Coffs Harbour and the Mid North Coast whenever you need us.
At a glance, here is what to do when someone dies in NSW:
- Confirm the death and contact a funeral director
- Locate the will and important documents
- Arrange the funeral
- Register the death with the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
- Get the death certificate
- Notify the right organisations
- Manage the estate
Each step is explained in more detail below.
Step 1: In the First Few Hours
There is no need to rush. Take the time you need to absorb what has happened. What you need to do first depends on where and how your loved one passed away.
- If the passing was sudden or unexpected, call 000. Emergency services will guide you and let you know what happens next, which may involve the police or the coroner.
- If the passing was expected, for example during palliative care at home, call the person’s doctor or palliative care team. A doctor needs to confirm the passing and complete a medical certificate of cause of death.
- If your loved one passed away in a hospital, hospice or aged care home, the staff will arrange for a doctor and care for your loved one until you decide on a funeral director.
Once the passing has been confirmed, you can contact a funeral director whenever you are ready. At Keith Logue & Sons, our phone is answered 24 hours a day, every day of the year, so you can call us at any hour on (02) 6652 1999 and we will bring your loved one into our care.
Step 2: Locate the Will and Important Documents
Before arranging the funeral, it helps to find the will if there is one. A will often records whether the person wanted a burial or cremation, along with any wishes for their service. It also names the executor, the person responsible for managing the estate.
It is also worth gathering key documents and details you may need later, such as proof of identity, marriage and birth information, and details of bank accounts, superannuation and insurance. You may also wish to check whether your loved one was a registered organ and tissue donor.
Step 3: Arrange the Funeral
There is no legal requirement to hold a funeral in Australia, but many families find comfort in a service that reflects the person they have lost. A funeral director takes care of much of the organisation and walks you through your options at your own pace.
At Keith Logue & Sons, we help with everything from transferring your loved one into our care to choosing burial or cremation, planning the service, and arranging flowers, notices and live streaming for those who cannot attend in person. As a fourth-generation, family-owned funeral home, we treat every family like our own, and we never rush you. If cost is on your mind, our guide to how much a funeral costs in Australia explains what shapes the price and the options available at every budget.
Step 4: Register the Death
In NSW, every death must be registered with the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, and by law this must happen within seven days of the burial or cremation. In most cases the funeral director completes the registration on the family’s behalf, so it is one less thing for you to worry about.
When you arrange a funeral with Keith Logue & Sons, we handle the entire registration process for you. We gather the information the Registry needs, complete the online registration, and apply for the certified death certificate, so you do not have to. If you are arranging things without a funeral director, you can register the death yourself through Service NSW.
Step 5: Get the Death Certificate
The death certificate is an official document issued by the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. You will need certified copies to finalise many of the practical tasks that follow, such as closing accounts and managing the estate.
Once the death is registered, the certificate is usually issued within two to three weeks, though it can take longer, around three to six weeks, if there are delays such as a coronial investigation. When we register a death for your family, we order the certified copy and arrange for it to reach you safely.
Step 6: Notify the Right Organisations
After the death certificate has been issued, the next step is to let the relevant organisations know. This can feel daunting, but there are services that make it simpler.
- Australian Death Notification Service. This free government service lets you notify many organisations, including banks, super funds and utilities, through a single online form. You will need the death certificate to use it. You can find it at the Australian Death Notification Service.
- Services Australia (Centrelink). If your loved one received a pension or payment, you should let Services Australia know. As part of our service, we can notify Centrelink, Veterans Affairs and pension departments where applicable.
- Other organisations. This may include their bank, superannuation fund, insurer, Transport for NSW, employer, and any memberships or subscriptions.
The NSW Government’s death and bereavement guide includes a helpful checklist of who to contact.
Step 7: Managing the Estate
In time, the executor named in the will manages the estate, which means dealing with assets, debts and distributing what remains according to the will. Depending on the size and nature of the estate, this can involve applying for a grant of probate through the Supreme Court of NSW. Because every estate is different, it is worth seeking legal advice if you are unsure of your responsibilities.
Looking After Yourself
Amid all the practical steps, your wellbeing matters too. Grief can be exhausting, and there is no right or wrong way to feel. Lean on family and friends, and reach out for support when you need it.
While we are not grief counsellors, our team is always happy to listen and to point you toward trusted support services. You can also explore the resources on our grief support page.
If you or someone you know needs support, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or Griefline on 1300 845 745. In an emergency, always call 000.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first thing to do when someone dies at home in NSW?
If the death was expected, call the person’s doctor or palliative care team, who will confirm the death and complete the medical certificate. If it was sudden or unexpected, call 000. Once the death is confirmed, you can contact a funeral director whenever you are ready.
Who registers a death in NSW?
Usually the funeral director registers the death with the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages on the family’s behalf. It can also be done by the next of kin or the executor. By law, a death in NSW must be registered within seven days of the burial or cremation.
How long does it take to get a death certificate in NSW?
Once the death has been registered, the certificate is generally issued within two to three weeks. It can take longer, around three to six weeks, if there are delays such as a coronial investigation.
Do I have to do everything myself?
No. A funeral director takes care of much of the process, including transferring your loved one into their care, helping you plan the service, registering the death and obtaining the death certificate. At Keith Logue & Sons, we guide you through each step.
We’re Here to Help, Whenever You Need Us
Knowing what to do when someone dies can ease some of the weight during an incredibly difficult time, and you do not have to navigate it alone. As a fourth-generation, family-owned funeral home, Keith Logue & Sons has supported families across Coffs Harbour and the Mid North Coast for generations, with quiet strength and genuine care.
If you have lost someone, or simply want to talk through what happens next, our caring team is here. You are welcome to call us any time on (02) 6652 1999 or send an online enquiry whenever you are ready.
This article was written by the team at Keith Logue & Sons, a fourth-generation, family-owned funeral home that has cared for families across Coffs Harbour and the Mid North Coast for over five decades. Keith Logue & Sons is a proud member of the National Funeral Directors Association of Australia.
[REFERENCES]
- NSW Government, After a death, https://www.nsw.gov.au/family-and-relationships/deaths/after-a-death
- NSW Government, Death certificates, https://www.nsw.gov.au/family-and-relationships/deaths/death-certificates
- Service NSW, Register a death, https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/register-death
- Service NSW, Death and bereavement guide, https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/guide/death-and-bereavement
- Australian Death Notification Service, https://deathnotification.gov.au/
- Services Australia, What to do when someone dies, https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/what-to-do-when-someone-dies
