When a Family Member Dies: From Death Registration to Bereavement Support
From what to do immediately after losing a family member to death registration, the funeral, repatriation of remains, administrative follow-up, and support for the bereaved — a calm, step-by-step guide so you do not have to rush.
Immediately After a Death: Who to Contact and What Happens
No amount of preparation makes losing a close family member easy to bear. Thankfully, there are fewer things the family must handle immediately after a death than you might expect, and most of the administration can be worked through gradually over several days. The first thing needed is official verification of the death. If the death occurs in a hospital or aged care facility, the medical staff will guide you through the verification process; if an expected death (for example due to illness) occurs at home, contact the person's regular GP or palliative care team. For a sudden death, an accident, or a death from an unknown cause, however, you must call 000 (police/ambulance) immediately, and in that case the police will report the matter to the coroner.
Who certifies the death — doctor vs coroner
If it is an expected death where a doctor who has been treating the deceased can confirm the cause of death, that doctor issues a medical certificate of cause of death, and the funeral and death registration proceed on the basis of that document. On the other hand, for a sudden death, an accident, an unknown cause, or where a doctor cannot certify the cause, the matter falls under the coroner, and the relevant documents are issued and the body released to the family only after the investigation (including an autopsy if required) is complete. In a coronial case, do not tidy the scene or move the body on your own — follow the instructions of the police. Each state's Coroners Court has family support staff who can keep you informed of progress.
Death Registration and the Death Certificate (State BDMs)
Every death that occurs in Australia must be registered with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) of the state or territory where the death occurred. In practice, it is standard for the funeral director to lodge the registration paperwork on your behalf, so families rarely need to handle the registration themselves. Once registration is complete, you can obtain the official death certificate from the BDM for a fee, and this certificate becomes the starting point for almost every administrative task that follows.
Where the death certificate is needed
Closing bank accounts, claiming the superannuation death benefit, making life insurance claims, notifying Centrelink and Medicare, visa-related notifications, ending tenancy and utility contracts, and applying for probate — most organisations require the original death certificate or a certified copy. Counting the places you will need it in advance and preparing plenty of certified copies makes the whole process much smoother.
- Confirm with the funeral director whether they will lodge the BDM death registration for you, and when
- After registration is complete, apply to the BDM for the death certificate — a fee applies and you will need proof of your identity and relationship to the deceased
- Count in advance how many organisations (banks, super, insurance, visas, etc.) will need it and decide how many certified copies to order
Registration deadlines and forms differ between states. If you need to use the death certificate for administrative matters in your home country (inheritance, insurance, etc.), you may also need an apostille or consular legalisation and a notarised translation — check in advance with your country's consulate and DFAT.
Arranging the Funeral: Burial vs Cremation and Costs
For the funeral, you can choose between burial and cremation, according to the deceased's wishes and the family's religion and culture. Funeral costs in Australia vary enormously — based on the government's moneysmart guidance, a basic cremation starts at around $4,000, while a formal funeral including a cemetery burial can cost $15,000 or more (check moneysmart for the latest figures). Even in grief, comparing itemised quotes from several providers is your legitimate right as a consumer, and you will not be disadvantaged for doing so.
- Get itemised quotes from at least two providers and compare what is included (transfer of the deceased, coffin, cremation/burial plot, paperwork handling, etc.)
- First check whether the deceased left a will, a prepaid funeral contract, or funeral insurance
- If the cost is a burden, check with the official channels whether you qualify for the state government's destitute/assisted funeral scheme or early release of super on compassionate grounds (ATO)
A contract signed in haste while grieving can become a heavy burden later. You do not have to sign before you have reviewed the itemised breakdown, and it is perfectly fine to put the decision off for a day or two.
Four Situations, Four Processes
Even for the same death, the process and timeframe differ depending on the circumstances. See which of the four situations below applies to you.
Medical staff verify the death and the treating doctor issues a medical certificate of cause of death. Once you contact a funeral director, they can guide you through the next steps such as transferring the deceased and registering the death — this is the situation that places the least burden on the family.
After a 000 call, the police report the death to the coroner. The investigation and autopsy may delay the release of the body, and family support staff at each state's Coroners Court can keep you informed of progress.
Contact the consulate of the deceased's country of nationality to confirm the required documents (death certificate, embalming certificate, sealed-coffin certificate, etc.) and the process. A funeral director experienced in international repatriation can help with the preparations, and because the cost is substantial, check whether insurance covers it.
Choose a cemetery burial or cremation and hold the funeral in Australia. After cremation, the ashes can be placed in a memorial facility, scattered, or carried to the home country — you will need to check the location's rules, the airline, and the destination country's regulations.
Administrative Checklist: Super, Banks, Visas, and the Will
Once you have the death certificate, you can work through the items below one by one. There is no need to finish everything at once — most organisations will take the family's circumstances into account and guide you through the process.
- Notify Services Australia — inform Centrelink and Medicare of the death. A single notification is often processed across linked services, and check your eligibility for the bereavement payment at the same time.
- Claim the superannuation death benefit — contact each super fund the deceased belonged to and claim the death benefit. If there is a binding death benefit nomination it is paid accordingly; if not, the trustee decides who receives it. Also check for life insurance held within the super.
- Sort out banks, insurance, and contracts — notify banks, insurers, telcos, the landlord or real estate agent, and electricity and gas providers with a certified copy of the death certificate, and proceed with cancellations or transfers of ownership.
- Visa-related notifications — if the deceased held a visa, notify Home Affairs of the death. If the deceased was the primary applicant or sponsor of a family visa, the remaining family members' visas may be affected, so consult an OMARA registered migration agent.
- Executing the will and the estate — check the will; depending on the size of the estate, you may need probate from the state Supreme Court, or letters of administration if there is no will. Seek guidance from a lawyer or your state's Public Trustee.
Things to Watch Out For and Common Difficulties
The points below are where others who have been through the same experience found things difficult. Knowing them in advance can lighten the load a little.
- Do not rush to lock in dates for a coronial case — the investigation and autopsy may delay the release of the body. Set the funeral date and book flights for family from overseas only after confirming when the body will be released.
- Running out of certified copies of the death certificate — organisations often ask to sight and verify copies, so they run out quickly. Preparing a generous number from the start saves you the trouble of reapplying.
- Delays caused by missing repatriation documents — if even one document such as the embalming certificate or sealed-coffin certificate is missing, international transport is delayed. Get the destination country's consulate to provide the required document list in writing and check them off one by one.
- Beware of scams targeting the bereaved — some scammers see death notices and approach the family demanding payment of the deceased's supposed 'outstanding debts' or asking for personal details. Do not rush to respond to unexpected demands — check the scam types on Scamwatch (ACCC) first.
- Do not put off looking after yourself — more important than the paperwork is the health of the family left behind. You can contact Griefline (1300 845 745) or Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636), and in an emergency, Lifeline (13 11 14) or 000. If English is difficult, ask for a TIS interpreter (131 450).
Useful Official Links
- NSW 출생·사망·혼인 등록소 (BDM)(opens in a new window)
The official NSW channel for death registration and death certificates — in other states, the same process is handled by that state or territory's BDM.
- Services Australia — 유족 지원(opens in a new window)
The official site explaining how to notify Centrelink and Medicare after a family member's death, and the eligibility requirements for support such as the bereavement payment.
- Moneysmart — 장례 비용(opens in a new window)
The Australian Government's moneysmart guide to funeral costs — covering cost ranges, comparing itemised quotes, and payment options such as prepaid funerals.
- Smartraveller (DFAT)(opens in a new window)
The consular services site of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) — useful for understanding repatriation procedures and the role of consulates when a death occurs overseas.
- healthdirect — 슬픔과 상실(opens in a new window)
The Australian Government's health information service — providing information on understanding grief and loss and connecting with psychological support services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should I contact first when a family member dies?▾
If the death occurs in a hospital or aged care facility, the medical staff will guide you through the next steps. If a death that was expected (for example due to illness) occurs at home, contact the person's regular GP or palliative care team. For a sudden death, an accident, or a death from an unknown cause, call 000 immediately. In that case the police will report the death to the coroner — do not tidy the scene or move the body, and follow the instructions of the police.
Where and how do I get the death certificate?▾
It is issued by the BDM (Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages) of the state or territory where the death occurred. The death registration paperwork is usually lodged on your behalf by the funeral director, and once registration is complete the family can apply for the death certificate for a fee. Many organisations — banks, superannuation funds, insurers, visa authorities — will ask for it, so it is a good idea to prepare several certified copies.
The funeral costs are a burden. Is there any help available?▾
Funeral costs vary enormously, so start by getting itemised quotes from several providers and comparing them. Comparing quotes is your legitimate right as a consumer (see moneysmart). For families who cannot afford the cost, each state has a destitute/assisted funeral scheme for people on low incomes — check the eligibility requirements with the official state government channel. In some cases, if you meet certain conditions, you may be able to access superannuation early on compassionate grounds to cover a dependant's funeral costs (check with the ATO).
How do I repatriate the remains to our home country?▾
First, contact the consulate of the deceased's country of nationality in Australia (embassy or consulate-general). You will usually need documents such as the death certificate, an embalming certificate, and a sealed-coffin certificate, plus international air freight arrangements; the consulate of the destination country can advise on its specific requirements. It is common for a funeral director experienced in international repatriation to handle both the paperwork and the transport, and because the cost is substantial, also check whether the deceased's travel insurance or health insurance includes repatriation cover. Carrying the ashes home yourself after cremation is a relatively simpler process, but you still need to check the airline's rules and the destination country's regulations.
How do we receive the deceased's superannuation?▾
Superannuation sits outside the will — you must claim the death benefit directly from each fund. If the deceased made a binding death benefit nomination, the benefit is paid according to it; if there is no nomination, the trustee decides whether to pay dependants or the estate. Super accounts often include life insurance, so check for that when you make the claim. For more detail on beneficiary nominations, see our wills and power of attorney guide.
The deceased was the primary applicant on our family visa. What happens to the rest of the family's visas?▾
The impact varies greatly depending on the visa type and the stage of processing. You must first notify Home Affairs of the death, and because the remaining family members' status depends on their individual circumstances, you should always consult an OMARA registered migration agent or an immigration lawyer. It is safer to get professional advice first rather than deciding on your own to remain in or leave Australia.
The grief is overwhelming and daily life is hard. Where can I get help?▾
You do not have to bear this alone. Griefline (1300 845 745) is a free phone counselling service specialising in grief and bereavement, and Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636) provides support for depression and anxiety. In an emergency, contact Lifeline (13 11 14) or 000. If English is difficult, you can call TIS National (131 450) and ask to be connected with an interpreter. You can also ask your GP for a referral to psychological counselling, and healthdirect provides official information on grief and loss.