When someone dies

A practical guide for family and friends

Acknowledgement
This booklet was researched and developed by Queensland Health’s Care at
End of Life Project team in consultation with an extensive group of clinicians,
consumers and content experts from across Queensland; the Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Cultural Capability Team and their statewide network;
and Health Consumers Queensland. The authors extend their sincere thanks
to these contributors for generously providing their advice and feedback.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters of Australia

and the Torres Strait. We respect all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people—their customs and their beliefs. We also pay our respects to Elders
past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be advised that this
document refers to material of a sensitive nature.
Death is not the opposite
of life, but a part of it.
– Haruki Murakami, Japanese novelist

When someone is dying or has died, it can be a very

difficult and stressful time. This booklet is meant to
help. We hope it will give you support and direction
during this time. It has information and practical ideas
about things to do before and after an adult family
member or friend dies in Queensland.

You might not be able to do this on your own. Asking for

help is okay. You could contact your spiritual or cultural
leader, social worker, family or friends.

To find out more visit qld.gov.au/careatendoflife

A practical guide for family and friends 1

Contents
Section 1: Preparing for death 4

Section 2: First steps 6

Tasks and contact list – tear out section

Section 3: What you can do next 11

Section 4: Caring for yourself and others 15

Section 5: Support services contact list 18

Section 6: Definitions 22

Take your time and check each section

to see if it is information you want or need.
Read what seems useful now and leave
the rest until you’re ready.

2 When someone dies

Grief is a normal and natural
response when we experience loss.
Grief can affect our lives in a number of ways, but it also allows
us to slowly adjust to our loss and continue to go about our lives.

There is no right or wrong way to grieve (see Caring for yourself

and others, page 15).

A practical guide for family and friends 3

Section 1
Preparing for death
We can all plan, discuss and • decide where they would like to be
prepare for the end of life at any cared for as they approach the end of
life, if possible. This may include:
time. This may help make the
experience more comfortable – in their own home
and provide a greater sense – on country
of control when it happens. – in hospital
– in a palliative care unit or hospice
If someone close to you is nearing the
– in a residential aged care facility
end of life, you can help them to:
• talk with family about the person’s
• carry out advance care planning with
wishes, so everyone understands
health professionals, family and
what will happen
friends to discuss their wishes,
values, beliefs and preferences • prepare for death at home or on
for future medical treatment country (if applicable). Discuss
(see Support services, page 18) and plan this with your health
professionals, and determine which
• let health professionals know if
doctor will issue the cause of death
emotional and/or spiritual support
certificate, when the time comes
is needed, and to talk about
any important cultural practices • appoint an Attorney for personal,
health and/or financial matters using
• speak with health professionals about
an Enduring Power of Attorney form
what to expect during and after the
(see Definitions, page 22)
dying process
• write a will and ensure it is up-to-date
• organise to see a chaplain or faith
and easy to find
leader in the time leading up to death,
including after hours

4 When someone dies

• talk about palliative care services and • add a ‘legacy contact’ to Facebook to
support (if needed) with a doctor or allow someone they trust to manage
health professionals—it can be helpful their account after they pass
to visit facilities
• talk about organ and tissue donation,
• start funeral planning if possible, and understand what’s involved, and
talk about who will be the point of let their family know their wishes
contact for organising the funeral —for more information visit
donatelife.gov.au
• think about how to pay for the funeral
(see Arranging a funeral or memorial • write letters, record videos, create
service, page 12). This may include: photo albums or put together
– setting up a funeral savings account keepsakes for loved ones. Some
people may wish to write cards or
– life insurance or superannuation arrange gifts for future birthdays
– buying a funeral benefit product, or significant life events
such as a prepaid funeral, funeral
• consider who will care for children,
bonds or funeral insurance.
other dependents and pets
You can find more information
about paying for funerals at The • say goodbye to those they love and
Australian Securities and Investment care about.
Commission website

• make a list of their personal details

and passwords and store them in a Supporting someone who is dying
safe place. You may choose to use the can be stressful. For suggestions
Tasks and contact list in the middle of on how you can look after yourself
this booklet to help you decide what during this time see Caring for
information you might need yourself and others, page 15.

A practical guide for family and friends 5

Section 2
First steps
This section has information about Dying at home or
things that happen soon after a in the community
person dies. Not all will be related
Expected death
to your situation. An expected, natural death at home
is not an emergency (see Definitions,
Appointing a funeral director page 23). There’s usually no need to
rush. You can have time with the person
Most people in Queensland use a funeral who has died before anything needs
director to help organise a funeral or to be done. If this happens during the
memorial service. Funeral directors are night, you can wait until the morning
not compulsory, but they make things to carry out next steps, if you are
easier. You can choose a funeral director comfortable with this.
by searching online, talking with family
If dying at home is expected, it is
and friends or using the Australian
important to have spoken with the
Funeral Directors Association website.
person’s doctor about who to contact to
Typically, people choose local funeral
issue the cause of death certificate when
directors as they may need to visit a
the time comes. The certificate needs
few times.
to be completed within 48 hours of the
Always check what the quote includes person’s death. Any doctor who knows the
and doesn’t include. Many funeral person’s medical history and can certify
directors can take calls 24 hours a day, the cause and manner of death is able to
7 days a week. complete the cause of death certificate.

For more information, see Arranging a When you are ready, notify your doctor,
funeral or memorial service on page 12. palliative care service, or funeral director.
The person may then be taken into the
care of your chosen funeral director.

6 When someone dies

Unexpected death The coroner will work with a team
Call an ambulance on 000. of coronial nurses and forensic
pathologists to determine a probable
The paramedics will complete a life extinct cause of death through an autopsy or
form and contact the person’s doctor to post-mortem (see Definitions, page 22).
issue a cause of death certificate. The The coroner will release the body as soon
person may then be taken into the care as possible—almost always within three
of your chosen funeral director. days of the person’s death. The person
may then be taken into the care of your
Reportable deaths
chosen funeral director.
Sometimes a cause of death certificate
cannot be issued. This may happen if Other types of reportable deaths include
someone who appears to be healthy those that happen in care or custody.
dies unexpectedly at home; the doctor
cannot determine the medical cause
of death; or the death is unnatural
Dying in a hospital, palliative
(see Definitions, page 23). The police are care unit, hospice or
contacted in these circumstances. This residential aged care facility
may seem worrying or excessive, but it is
If the person dies in a hospital or facility,
a normal part of the process. The police
the staff will help you to understand
will liaise with a team of independent
the process and what you need to do.
doctors to determine whether a cause
There’s usually no need to rush. You can
of death certificate can be obtained.
have time alone with the person who has
If a cause of death certificate cannot be died before anything needs to be done.
obtained, the police will report the death Your family may want to wait until other
to the coroner and arrange for the person relatives have a chance to say goodbye.
to be transported to a health facility or
mortuary by a government contracted
funeral director.

A practical guide for family and friends 7

Ask questions. If you need more • any belongings the person had with
information or support, or do not them at the facility will be given to
agree with something, please ask. The a representative of the family by
healthcare team are there to support you. nursing staff
Make sure staff are aware of any end-of-
• the person may remain at the facility
life rituals, such as what needs to happen
until the funeral director is chosen and
to the body in preparation for burial or
plans are made to move them to the
cremation, so that arrangements can be
funeral home
made before the person is transferred.
• if family are coming to say goodbye,
Usually, the following things will happen talk to the staff about how long the
shortly after death: person who has died can stay at
the facility. Different places have
• health professionals will complete
different processes.
documentation
• a doctor will complete the cause
Visiting a person who has died
of death certificate. If the doctor
is unsure whether a cause of death Some people find it helpful to see the
certificate can be issued, they can person after they’ve died. This is called
contact the coroner. This will generally a viewing. Deciding whether to visit is a
be related to concerns around personal choice. You can talk about this
treatment and care. The coroner will with a health professional.
work with a team of independent
doctors to determine whether the It is important to note that not all
death is reportable facilities have a mortuary for viewings
but may make a room available for you.
• after discussions with you, the person Viewings may also be arranged at the
may be transferred to the mortuary or funeral home or at home.
another suitable room
Before appointing a funeral director,
check whether the funeral home
allows viewing as part of their service.
There may be an associated cost.

8 When someone dies

Organ and tissue donation Body bequests
In an intensive care unit The person may have prearranged
You may have been asked to consider donation of their body to a university.
organ donation. A DonateLife Specialist The university will need to be notified of
Coordinator will meet with the family, the death in order to assess suitability
seek consent from the appropriate and arrange transportation as soon as
person and assess medical suitability for possible. Transportation is typically
transplantation. The DonateLife Specialist managed by the university’s contracted
Coordinator and healthcare team will funeral director.
step you through the process. For more
information, visit donatelife.gov.au. Where to get help
In other locations, including Not all situations are straightforward,
hospital wards, residential aged and some people may need extra support
care facilities or at home to work through complicated matters.
The person may be able to donate tissue. Find a list of services that can help with
A DonateLife Specialist Coordinator grief, financial, legal, advocacy and other
or the healthcare team can step you issues in Support services, page 18.
through this process.

A practical guide for family and friends 9

 It can be difficult to talk
about death and dying.
Everyone responds in their
own way. Dying should be
discussed with honesty,
sensitivity, and respect.

10 When someone dies

Tasks and contact list
We have created this checklist as a prompt to guide tasks and people/organisations to contact.
* Eligibility criteria apply. Check each section to see if it is information you want or need.
** This information is specific to Queensland—different processes and contact details may be applicable in other states and countries.

PERSON/ORGANISATION TO BE CONTACTED TASKS (if relevant) CONTACT DETAILS

First responders (e.g. palliative care service, GP, ambulance) Contact
Family and friends Notify
First steps

Funeral director Contact

Executor of the will Enact as documented
Support services (e.g. cultural / religious / spiritual advisors / counselling service) Contact if required
Your employer / education provider Seek compassionate leave
Apply for bereavement allowance / payment * 132 300
Bereaved
support

Centrelink
Seek exemption from mutual obligations / activity test requirements servicesaustralia.gov.au
Department of Veterans’ Affairs Apply for bereavement allowance / payment * 1800 555 254
** Queensland Government mortgage relief loan Apply for a mortgage relief loan / bond loan / rental grant * 1300 654 322
Australian Electoral Commission Notify 132 626 aec.gov.au
Australian Taxation Office Finalise income tax returns 132 861 ato.gov.au
Close / transfer accounts
Banks, credit unions and credit card providers
Discuss loan repayment options
Notify (will be shared with Medicare and Child Support) 132 300
Centrelink
Cancel payments servicesaustralia.gov.au
Certified copies of the death certificate (e.g. with a JP, solicitor) Arrange
131 272
Child Support Notify (will be shared with Centrelink and Medicare)
Financial, social and welfare

servicesaustralia.gov.au
** Death registration within 14 days (a funeral director will usually do this) Register the death with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages 13 QGOV (137 468)
1800 555 254
Department of Veterans’ Affairs Notify
dva.gov.au
Foreign pension authority and/or embassy/consulate Notify
Insurance providers (e.g. health, property, car, life, funeral, boat) Claim as documented in the will / cancel
132 011
Medicare Notify (will be shared with Centrelink and Child Support) servicesaustralia.gov.au
Professional services (e.g. solicitor, accountant, financial advisor) Notify
** Queensland Carer Business Discount Card Cancel 13 QGOV (137 468)
** Queensland Health Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (for return transport if
Apply * health.qld.gov.au/ptss
a person has died in a hospital away from their home)
** Queensland Seniors Card Cancel 13 QGOV (137 468)
Superannuation fund Claim as documented in the will / close
1300 360 044
** The Public Trustee of Queensland Notify pt.qld.gov.au
 PERSON/ORGANISATION TO BE CONTACTED TASKS (if relevant) CONTACT DETAILS
139 226
Australian Business Registration (ABN) Cancel
abr.gov.au
and education
Employment

Notify
Education providers (e.g. child care, school, TAFE, university)
Inform child/ren may be absent
Employer/s Notify
Professional affiliations (e.g. associations, union) Notify
1300 887 914
Australian Bereavement Register Stop unwanted direct mail
tabr.com.au/register
and mail
Utilities

Australia Post Re-direct mail / cancel PO Box 13 POST (137 678)

Telecommunications and network providers (e.g. mobile, landline, internet) Close / transfer accounts
Utilities providers (e.g. electricity, gas) Close / transfer accounts

Cancel / transfer vehicle registrations

Transport

** Department of Transport and Main Roads Cancel driver’s licence 132 380
Cancel disability parking permit

GP and hospital Notify / cancel appointments

services
Health

Health services (e.g. dentist, optometrist, psychologist) Notify / cancel appointments

1800 200 422
My Aged Care Notify
myagedcare.gov.au
Community groups / clubs / memberships (e.g. library, RSL, sports clubs, gambling) Cancel
** Livestock brands or earmarks Transfer / cancel 132 523
Lifestyle and

Notify vet / animal kennel

personal

Pet care
Cancel / transfer pet registration (local council)
Social media accounts (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) Memorialise / close
Subscriptions to ongoing payments (e.g. Netflix, gym, loyalty programs) Cancel / transfer
** Weapons licence Update / surrender (07) 3015 7777
Landlord / real estate agent / tenants Notify / end lease
Local council Update for rates notices
and property
Housing

** Office of State Revenue Claim land tax exemption 1300 300 734
** Public housing Apply for a change of tenancy Housing Service Centre
Update land title
** Queensland Titles Registry 13 QGOV (137 468)
Update water allocation ownership

Contact information is correct at time of publication qld.gov.au/careatendoflife

Section 3
What you can do next
Gather key information
There can be a lot of things to do after someone passes away.
The Tasks and contact list may help you keep track of who to contact.
Getting important information and paperwork together can help make these tasks easier.
Information could include:
• the person’s full legal name (birth name or legal name at the time of death;
avoid using nicknames)
• last residential address
• the original or certified copies of their driver’s licence and passport
• any names previously used, including maiden surname
• their Medicare number, Tax File Number and Centrelink Customer Reference Number
(if relevant)
• the person’s date and place of birth (town and state if born in Australia and country
if born overseas) and date of arrival in Australia if born overseas
• marriage and/or divorce certificates, or date of marriage/civil partnership if
certificate not available
• name, occupation and birth date of the surviving spouse
• financial information, including loan details, house title/lease documents,
superannuation and insurance
• any pre-planned funeral paperwork.

This might feel intrusive or upsetting, but it is important to do.

When giving information, you can ask why it is needed and
how it will be used.

A practical guide for family and friends 11

Wills and estates Arranging a funeral
or memorial service
Some people have a will* and others die
without one. A will needs to be written The way we acknowledge the death of
before a person’s death. a person can look different between
cultures and families.
If the person who died has a will, the
executor* of their estate* needs to be A funeral is usually held at a funeral
informed. If there is uncertainty about home, cemetery, crematorium, church
the will’s validity, or other support is or place of worship. Funerals involve the
required, you may choose to seek: burial or cremation of the body of the
person that has died.
• independent legal advice
• advice from the Public Trustee A memorial service can be held anywhere
of Queensland (often in someone’s home). Memorial
services do not involve burial or
• probate* from the Supreme Court cremation. They are usually organised by
of Queensland the closest relative. If there is any dispute
over who is organising the service, seek
If a will is unavailable, letters of
legal advice.
administration* will be required to
manage the estate. If you have chosen to appoint a funeral
director, they will usually organise:
See Definitions, page 22 if you need more
information about terms marked with *. • transport, care and viewing of the
deceased person
• the service, including the cremation
or burial, in consultation with faith
group leaders
Funerals and wills can
be the source of conflict • returning the deceased’s remains to
either home, interstate or overseas
in families due to
differences in opinions • registration with the Registry of Births,
and beliefs, and complex Deaths and Marriages
family relationships.
Keep communication open
and get help if required.
• certified copies of the death certificate The cheapest option is a cremation
to be posted to the authorised person without an official service. This is
(family/friend/solicitor). It may take up sometimes called direct or unattended
to 4-6 weeks to receive the official copy. cremation. Unattended burials may also
be available.
The funeral director may ask you about:
Funeral costs may be covered by:
• date, time and venue of the service
and what to do with the ashes or place • pre-paid funeral plan/bonds taken out
of burial by the person who has died
• music, decorations, flowers or symbols • funeral insurance or a savings account
of the person’s life for their funeral
• cultural or religious customs • family and friends
and practices
• the person’s estate – the bank may pay
• the eulogy (see Definitions, page 22) a funeral account, if there are available
• if you would like a member of the funds in the person’s bank account
clergy to give a graveside service • the person’s superannuation fund –
(fee may be payable) this can take time and will be executed
• content for funeral announcement through their will
or death notice in the newspaper • Department of Veterans’ Affairs, or
(fee may be payable). their trade union
You can get more information • funeral assistance (see below).
about arranging a funeral from
your local council. Funeral assistance

Paying for a funeral The Queensland Government may

organise a simple burial or cremation
Funerals in Queensland can vary of a person whose assets cannot cover
significantly in cost. The price you pay the cost of their funeral, and whose
depends on the cost of your funeral relatives/friends cannot pay for their
director and the type of service. If you funeral. Applications can be made at your
have any concerns about cost, ask your local Magistrates Court (eligibility criteria
funeral director for a quote that breaks applies) (see Support Services, page 20).
down each item cost.

A practical guide for family and friends 13

If you need other financial assistance, Notifying Centrelink
contact Services Australia (eligibility
criteria applies). If the person who died was receiving a
payment from Centrelink, it is important
to notify Centrelink as soon as possible
Notify agencies and cancel
so the estate is not overpaid, requiring
or transfer services a repayment. For members of a couple, a
Once you have the death certificate bereavement allowance may be available.
you can start notifying agencies and
organisations. The processing time for Notifying the bank
the death certificate varies and this may
take several weeks. You may need to give Financial institutions have different
information about the person such as: processes for managing a deceased estate.

• personal details a) Sole account – After you call, the bank

will freeze the person’s bank accounts.
• proof of your identify and relationship Banks will generally pay funeral
to the person expenses from the person’s account
• certified copy of the death certificate when given an original tax invoice
(see Definitions, page 22). It’s a good from a funeral director. You will need
idea to get several copies certified at to ensure all direct debits have been
the same time. stopped to avoid dishonour fees.

This booklet contains a checklist of tasks b) Joint account – Transactions from joint
to carry out and people/organisations accounts should continue as normal.
to contact (see Tasks and contact list). Joint bank accounts may be transferred
Some things will not be relevant to you into the name of the remaining joint
or the person’s circumstances. Check account holder.
each section to see if it is information
you want or need.

14 When someone dies

Section 4
Caring for yourself
and others
Understanding grief
Grief affects our thoughts and feelings, how we
do things and our relationships with others. It can
also have a physical impact. It’s important to know
that grief is normal, and it affects people in different
ways including:

• crying and sadness (or a reluctance to cry)

• anger and irritability
• regret
• feeling numb
• difficulty sleeping and having nightmares
• changes to appetite
• difficulty concentrating and making decisions
• feeling tense, sick and difficulty breathing
• losing interest in family, friends and hobbies
• disorientation and confusion
• nausea and headaches.

A practical guide for family and friends 15

There are lots of other reactions to Taking care
grief. If the person has been in extreme
suffering it is common and natural to even It’s important to remember that everyone
feel a sense of relief that their pain has grieves in their own way, and may go
ended. You might not experience all of about caring for themselves in different
these feelings, but if you do, they will not ways as well.
necessarily come in any particular order.
There are many ways to care for yourself
Your grief is like your fingerprint. It is and others while you grieve:
unique and personal to you.
• get enough sleep – people often
have trouble sleeping during times
Grief has no timeline of grief. If you find it hard to sleep
on a regular basis, speak to your
The amount of time spent grieving is
nurse or doctor
different for everyone, and that’s okay.
Grief may be felt over a long period • eat a healthy diet and do exercise
of time, even for many years. At first,
• talk to your employer about what
people often feel grief more strongly.
support might be available, such as
As time passes, we learn to include
compassionate leave and flexibility
grief into our lives. Sometimes, after a
to return to work when you are ready
period of feeling good, we find ourselves
feeling sadness, despair or anger. This • delay making big decisions
is a natural response of grief and it may • create a memorial or do something
happen repeatedly. to honour the person who has died
• do something for yourself every day,
and do your usual activities as much
as you can
• keep in contact with friends
• practice your own spirituality, culture
or religion – this might be meditation,
yoga, prayer or talking with your
chaplain or faith leader.

16 When someone dies

You may be able to talk about your Talking to children about
emotions and find comfort with the death and dying
help of family and friends, or you may
need some extra help. There are many Children will feel, understand and talk
organisations that can help you. A list of about grief and loss in different ways.
support services is provided on page 18 This is because of their age, personality,
of this book. Don’t be afraid to reach out. family culture, understanding of death
and past experiences of loss. Take
Feelings of grief may be overwhelming the time to talk and listen to children
over a long period of time and impact on before and after someone has died.
things you need, want and enjoy. Answer their questions about death in
If this happens to you and these feelings an honest and consistent way. For more
continue, you may want to talk to your information, visit the Australian Centre
general practitioner (see Support for Grief and Bereavement – children
services, page 18). and grief handouts website: grief.org.au.

Your grief is like your

fingerprint. It is unique
and personal to you.

A practical guide for family and friends 17

Section 5
Support services contact list
If you need an interpreter, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.

Care at end of life Palliative Care Australia

Care at End of Life palliativecare.org.au | 02 6232 0700
qld.gov.au/careatendoflife Palliative care resources for people
Queensland Health information about living with a terminal condition and
care at the end of life. their carers, family and community.
Caresearch 13 HEALTH
caresearch.com.au | 08 7221 8233 13 43 25 84 | 24-hour phone service
Information and resources about living providing health advice.
with or caring for someone with a serious
illness, preparing for the end of life, Counselling and grief support
and how to manage bereavement, Australian Centre for Grief
grief and loss. and Bereavement
DonateLife Network resources grief.org.au | 03 9265 2100
donatelife.gov.au | 07 3176 2350 Information for adults and children
Information about organ and experiencing grief, including the
tissue donation. MyGrief App.
Managing affairs after a death Beyond Blue
qld.gov.au/manageaffairsafterdeath beyondblue.org.au | 1300 224 363
13 74 68 | Queensland Government 24-hour telephone counselling service.
service to create a customised checklist Online and email counselling available
and find specific information about tasks seven days a week.
to complete after a death.
Canteen
My Care, My Choices
canteen.org.au | 1800 835 932
mycaremychoices.com.au | 1300 007 227
Support service for people aged 12-25
Queensland Health information about
living with cancer, including patients
advance care planning.
and their siblings, and young people
with parents or carers with cancer.
18 When someone dies
Grief Line Parentline
griefline.org.au | 1300 845 745 parentline.com.au | 1300 30 1300
7-day telephone counselling service 7-day telephone counselling and
for people experiencing grief. support service for parents and carers
of children.
GriefLink
grieflink.org.au | Resources for the ReachOut Australia
bereaved and grieving, their carers, au.reachout.com | Support, tools and
friends and colleagues, and for health tips for young people and their parents.
and welfare workers.
Relationships Australia
Kids Helpline relationships.org.au | 1300 364 277
kidshelpline.com.au | 1800 55 1800 Relationship support services
Telephone and online counselling and counselling.
service and crisis support for young
people aged 5–25. Suicide Call Back Services
suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Lifeline 1300 659 467 | 24-hour telephone and
lifeline.org.au | 13 11 14 online counselling for people affected
24-hour telephone and online by suicide.
counselling service.
The Compassionate Friends
MensLine Australia compassionatefriendsqld.org.au
mensline.org.au | 1300 78 99 78 1300 064 068 | 24-hour helpline
Telephone and online support and and support groups for parents,
referral service for men with family grandparents and siblings who have
and relationship concerns. experienced the death of a child.

National Carer Counselling Program Your general practitioner

carersqld.asn.au | 1800 242 636 To find a general practitioner in
Short-term counselling for carers. Queensland go to qld.gov.au/health/
contacts/service-finder.

A practical guide for family and friends 19

Financial assistance Legal and advocacy matters
Centrelink Community Legal Centres Queensland
servicesaustralia.gov.au | 13 27 17 communitylegalqld.org.au
Information on eligibility and how to 07 3392 0092 | Legal centres providing
apply for Australian Government support. free information, legal assistance,
education and advocacy for vulnerable
Financial Counselling Australia clients and communities facing
financialcounsellingaustralia.org.au legal problems.
1800 007 007 | Information about
financial counselling and help to find Legal Aid Queensland
a qualified counsellor. legalaid.qld.gov.au | 1300 65 11 88
Legal help for financially
The Public Trustee Queensland disadvantaged people.
pt.qld.gov.au | 1300 360 044
Statutory authority that provides support Multicultural Australia
including will-making, enduring powers of multiculturalaustralia.org.au
attorney, and managing deceased estates. 07 3337 5400 | Support for new
Queenslanders including refugees,
Funerals migrants, international students
Australian Funeral Directors Association and people seeking asylum.
afda.org.au | 03 9859 9966
Queensland Law Society
Funeral planning information and a
qls.com.au | 1300 367 757
directory to find a funeral director.
Legal resources and a directory
Australian Securities and to find a solicitor.
Investment Commission
Victims Assist Queensland
moneysmart.gov.au/
qld.gov.au/law/crime-and-police/
paying-for-your-funeral
victims-and-witnesses-of-crime
Information about paying for a funeral.
1300 546 587 | Business hours phone
Funeral assistance service for information and advice
courts.qld.gov.au/courts/ about support services, victims’ rights,
coroners-court/funeral-assistance and financial assistance.
Information on eligibility and how
Contact information is correct
to apply or funeral assistance.
at time of publication

20 When someone dies

Notes

A practical guide for family and friends 21

Section 6
Definitions

Advance care planning – involves thinking Death certificate – the official registration
and making choices now to guide your of the death. The funeral director will
future health care. It is also a process usually assist with this, or you can contact
of communicating your wishes. the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths
You can do this by having a conversation and Marriages.
with those close to you and writing down Enduring Power of Attorney – a legal
your preferences (see Support Services, document that gives another person/
page 18). people the authority to make personal
Autopsy or post-mortem – an examination and/or financial decisions on your behalf.
of the body conducted by a pathologist. For personal and health matters, your
attorney’s power begins only if and
Cause of death certificate – a legal when you lose capacity to make those
document completed by a doctor that decisions. For financial matters, your
certifies the manner and cause of death. attorney’s power begins whenever you
This is different to the death certificate. want it to and you nominate the start
Certified copy – a copy of an original date. You can still continue to make any
document that has been verified as a true of your own decisions while you are
copy by an authorised person, for example capable of doing so.
a Justice of the Peace or a Commissioner Estate – the property and assets (such as
of Declarations. vehicles, investments and bank accounts)
Coroner – an official person who is owned by a person at the time of death.
responsible for investigating the deaths Eulogy – a speech or piece of writing given
of people who have died in a sudden, at a funeral to remember the life of the
violent, or unusual way. person who died.
Executor – if you are named as executor
in someone’s will, you are responsible
for carrying out the terms of the will when
they die.

22 When someone dies

Funeral director – arranges for care of the Palliative care – healthcare that focuses
person who has died, offers guidance/ on improving quality of life for people of
support to the family, makes arrangements any age living with a life-limiting illness.
for the funeral service, and provides It includes responding to physical,
professional advice. psychological, emotional, social, cultural
and spiritual needs. It does not aim to
Intestate – if a person dies without a valid
slow down or speed up the dying process.
will, there is no executor and therefore
they have died intestate (see Public Probate – the Supreme Court of
Trustee Queensland and Queensland Queensland’s official recognition of a will
Courts for further information). as legally valid. Probate is often needed
before the executor of a deceased estate
Letters of administration – the next
can take control of the estate’s assets
of kin, such as a spouse, takes on the
(administer the estate).
role of administrating the person’s
estate if they die intestate. Letters of Public Trustee of Queensland – offers a free
administration show that the court has will-making service and can give general
examined the relevant documents and information on wills and estates, and the
is satisfied that the person named in administration of deceased estates.
the grant is authorised to administer
Unnatural death – a death caused by
the estate. Contact Queensland
accident, injury or homicide rather than
Courts for further information.
a disease’s natural progression.
Mortuary – a room or health facility used
Will – a legal document that states what
for storage of a person who has died
a person would like to happen to their
prior to autopsy, burial or cremation.
money, belongings and other assets
Some (not not all) mortuaries will include
when they die; names who they want to
a viewing area.
give their estate to (beneficiaries); and
Natural death – a death caused by who they would like to administer their
a disease’s natural progression estate when they die (executor).
and not due to external causes such
as accidents, injury, homicide,
or uncertain circumstances.

A practical guide for family and friends 23

 The amount of time
spent grieving is
different for everyone,
and that’s okay.

qld.gov.au/careatendoflife