My Loved One Has Passed Away – What Do I Do Now?

It's our turn to look after you

If you’re navigating the difficult moment following the loss of a loved one, Abraham’s Funeral Home extends our deepest sympathies and support.

Understanding that every situation is unique, we encourage you to reach out to us at any time on 06 7575210 for personalised advice and assistance. Our compassionate team is here to guide you through the necessary steps, including legal considerations and obtaining doctor’s permission, to respectfully transfer your loved one into our care.

Trust in our commitment to provide you with the support and clarity you need during this challenging time.

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Legal Paperwork Obligations

  • Regardless of whether a passing happens in a hospital, a rest home or at a private home a doctor needs to certify the death by completing the Medical Certificate of Causes of Death.
  • Before we can transfer your loved one into our care we need confirmation that the doctor will sign the paperwork.
  • If cremation is chosen the doctor will need to see the person.

Every situation is different so calling us for advice will help clarify what needs to happen next.

When someone passes in a hospital or rest home

  • The hospital or rest home staff will contact the doctor to organise getting the paperwork.
  • You can call us to engage our services, or get the rest home or hospital staff to do so on your behalf.
  • We will then arrange to transfer your loved one into our care as soon as possible.

When someone passes at home

  • Call the hospice or any palliative care if applicable.
  • Then call the doctor to verify the death has occurred and confirm that they will be signing the paperwork.
  • Call us to engage our services.
  • We will then arrange to transfer your loved one into our care as soon as possible.

When an unexpected death has occurred

  • If an unexpected death has occurred contact the emergency services and they advise you on what will happen next.
  • Usually the person will be under the coroners care.
  • Contact us to engage our services.
  • We will then contact the coroner and arrange getting your loved one into our care as soon as possible.

Note: you are not obliged to use the funeral director who transported your loved one into the coroner’s care.

The Process

When the time comes we will guide you through the whole process making it as easy as it can be.

Our aim is to create a farewell for your loved one that is in accordance with their wishes, and that allows family and friends to gather, say goodbye, and help start a healthy grieving process.

Below is a basic outline of the steps involved when organising a farewell.

Disclaimer: Every farewell is different. This is only an example and your loved one’s farewell may be organised differently from the order below.

This is where you will call us and engage our services. We will ask you a few questions and get some initial details from you over the phone. Please don’t hesitate to ask us any questions you may have at this stage.

When we have confirmed that the doctor will be signing the paperwork or we have had a release from the hospital we can arrange a time to transfer your loved one into our care.

Your Funeral Director will talk to you about preparation options. Once we have instructions from you our embalming team will take care of any preparations needed.

Once preparations are complete we will let you know, so we can either organise taking your loved one home or make a time for you and your family to come to our premises to view.

This step in this process is to meet with one of our funeral directors for the arrangement interview. This can take up to two hours.

The goal of this initial interview is to:

  • Collect personal information
  • Choose a casket
  • Discuss the service options
  • Complete the paperwork
  • Write the newspaper notice

What Should You Bring?

Although not essential, bringing the following with you will be helpful:

  • A photo of your loved one
  • Birth and/or Marriage Certificates
  • Your loved one’s clothing

We then contact the essential organisations on your behalf, including the celebrant, the church or chapel, reception venue, florist, caterer, newspaper, and anyone else necessary to ensure the service is conducted in accordance with your wishes.

You’ll meet with the celebrant or minister who will be conducting the service. They will talk to you about the service content and explain the options available to you.

Once you’ve met with the celebrant and decided on the structure of the service, we’ll talk with you again to discuss the service sheet design, and any other options you feel you may like to include. You may have multiple arrangements depending on the kind of service and the length of time between the funeral and the initial arrangements.

Feel free to contact us at any stage if you have questions or requests we haven’t covered either by phone or by arrangement.

On the day of the service we will be there to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Things we usually do:

  • Reserve family seating
  • Hand out service sheets
  • Welcome everyone
  • Talk to the casket bearers
  • Play the music and slideshow
  • Transport your loved one to the service
  • Transport them to their final resting place

Our family, caring for yours