After a death

The time following the death of a loved one can be overwhelming. Firstly, a doctor needs to sign a certificate confirming death. A funeral director can then help with the funeral arrangements and will submit the death registration online to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, within 14 days.

Funeral arrangements

A funeral is an important occasion for family and friends to pay tribute to the life of the deceased person, to share grief and commemorate the life lost.

If possible, it is helpful for families to discuss their wishes regarding the funeral service before meeting with the funeral director.

Issues that can be discussed include:

• burial or cremation of the deceased person
• the day, time and venue of the service
• what to do with the ashes
• the place of burial
• music, decorations, flowers, or symbols of the person's life
• whether to have a viewing
• the eulogy
• the coffin or casket
• charitable donations.

Families of homicide victims

Families of homicide victims are eligible for financial assistance towards funeral costs.

For advice contact:

• Victim Assist Queensland
• Queensland Homicide Victims' Support Group
• your Queensland Police Service.

For more information, contact your local courthouse or the Coroners Court – Northern Region.

Funeral directors

The role of the funeral director is to provide advice and information about the options available to you when planning a funeral.

The funeral director helps with many practical tasks following the death of a loved one, including:

• transferring of the deceased person from place of death to the funeral home
• registering the death
• applying for a death certificate
• consulting with you and your family about funeral arrangements and details of the service.

There is also a voluntary code of conduct which outlines best practice within the funeral industry.

Selecting a funeral director

It is important to know that funeral costs can vary depending on the funeral director and the type of service you choose.

If you have not yet selected a funeral director, you can find one through:

• Yellow Pages
• Queensland Funeral Directors Association
• Australian Funeral Directors Association.

Death certificate

Details from a death certificate can help you to notify organisations online following a death, to either close or transfer their accounts.

Most of the time you will not need to apply for a death certificate, your funeral director will register the death and apply for a death certificate on your behalf when they organise the funeral.

Find out how to apply for an additional death certificate.

Further information

Refer to our checklist of tasks after someone dies for information about how to execute wills, manage estates, settle financial matters and notify others.

Related topics

• Grief counselling and support
• Death, wills and probate
• Apply for a death certificate
• Managing affairs after death checklist