Things you need to know when someone dies

  • There are laws that we all have to follow when someone dies.

  • You can do anything culturally as long as it is within Tasmanian law.

  • It is legal for the body to remain in the family home (not recommended in summer unless the body is embalmed — costs about $1,000).

  • Often the body is taken to the mortuary by the funeral parlour and they return it to the family home.

Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH)

  • It is policy at the RHH that, wherever possible, time is allowed for families to be with the deceased in the ward before the body is transferred to the mortuary. A mortuary is a refrigerated room used to hold the body until it is transferred to the funeral home.

  • It is also policy that RHH staff be aware of specific religious and cultural instructions regarding preparation of the body.

Dying at Home

  • It is law in Tasmania for all deaths to be registered – it is compulsory.

  • The family must immediately call their Doctor so that a medical certificate of cause of death can be issued and registered with the Registrar for Births and Deaths.

  • If it is out of hours and you cannot speak to a doctor, the family must then contact the police. The police will call an ambulance.

  • The next step is to contact a Funeral Director and, if you wish, arrange for your family member to be transferred to the Funeral home.

  • If you wish the body to stay in the house, you will still need to contact a Funeral Director and they will give you specific information.

  • The Funeral Director usually completes a Death Registration Statement with the assistance of the family, which must be lodged within 14 days so that the death can be registered.

  • Copies of the Death Certificate cost $45.88 from Service Tasmania and several copies may be needed for legal reasons, e.g. the will or accessing their estate.

Dying in Hospital

  • When a person dies in hospital, the staff will organise for the doctor who has been treating your family member to sign the death certificate.

  • The hospital staff will contact the next of kin (relative or friend).

  • The hospital mortuary will keep the body until the relative makes arrangements for the funeral parlour to take the body.

  • The nearest relative should collect the belongings.

  • Family can see the body in the mortuary. This can happen at the hospital or at the funeral home

Coroner

  • If a person dies from an accident or unexpected death, the Coroner will be notified. The Coroner is required by law to conduct an investigation into all sudden deaths.

  • The Coroner may order an autopsy. An autopsy is a medical examination of the body, often for legal purposes, to determine the cause of death.

  • If the senior family member objects they must immediately notify the Coroner’s office.

  • The Hobart number is 6165 7132 or, after hours, contact Police on 131 444.

  • Until viewed by the coroner’s clerk — the body must not be washed.

  • The coroner will be in charge of the body until it is released for funeral.

Funeral Directors

  • Funerals can cost a lot of money — the cheapest funeral costs around $4,000. It is possible to prepay funerals.

  • The Funeral Director can also organise to return the body back to the home country. This is a very expensive process as you will also have to pay airfares for the body.

Contact details for Funeral Directors in Hobart

  • Graham Family Funerals 6278 2722

  • Millingtons 6278 1244

  • Turnbull Family Funerals 6234 4711

  • White Lady Funerals 6234 4700

Car Accidents

  • If someone dies as result of motor accident then Motor Accident Insurance Board (MAIB) usually covers the expenses of the funeral.

Centrelink

  • Funeral Assistance is a one off payment to assist family members to pay for funeral. You can receive this if you are the spouse of the deceased, and this person had been on Centrelink payments for at least 12 months, or if you are the parent of a child who has died and you were receiving Family payment.

  • Before you can get paid, you must show Centrelink proof of identity

  • Your payment can be made directly into your Australian bank account or it can go directly to the Funeral Director.

  • Speak to a Centrelink Social Worker by calling 13 17 94

Who can help you?

Contact Social Work Services at the hospital on 6222 8354 or the Migrant Liason Officer on 6222 8126 (who can also organise an interpreter). After hours contact RHH on  6166 8308.

With thanks to The Launceston General Hospital, the Launceston Cald Community, Royal Hobart Hospital Social Work Services and the Tasmanian Association for Hospice and Palliative Care.


Credits

Funding for the Cultural Support for Dying & Bereavement in a Foreign Land project was provided by TAHPC.