What to do when someone dies
When someone dies, it's natural to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next.
Take your time and reach out to someone you trust to be with you.
There are different steps to take depending on where and how the death has occurred.
If you are unsure, you don't have to work it out alone.
Tony Hollands Funerals is here to help at any time, day or night.
Call us on 07 3392 9919 and we’ll talk you through what to do next.
Where did the death occur?
There is no need to have everything worked out right now.
We’re here to help you understand what happens next.
Select a situation that applies to you and we’ll guide you through the next steps.
Public Hospital
If your loved one has died in a public hospital, the hospital administration will complete the necessary documentation,
including the Cause of Death Certificate (this is different from the official Death Certificate).
The family will then need to contact a funeral director to arrange for your loved one to be transferred into their care.
Most public hospitals have a holding facility, so the transfer into our care will generally take place during weekday business hours.
What you need to do
Contact Tony Hollands Funerals when you are ready.
We’re here to provide support and guidance, and can help you understand what happens next.
Call us on 07 3392 9919, day or night, seven days a week.
Private Hospital
If your loved one has died in a private hospital, the hospital administration will complete the necessary documentation, including the Cause of Death Certificate (this is different from the official Death Certificate).
The family will then need to contact a funeral director to arrange for your loved one to be transferred into their care.
Most, but not all, private hospitals have a holding facility, so the transfer into our care will generally take place during weekday business hours, unless the hospital advises otherwise.
What you need to do
Contact Tony Hollands Funerals when you are ready.
If you’re unsure what to do next, please call us. We’re here to help and guide you through the next steps.
07 3392 9919 - day or night, seven days a week.
Residential Aged Care
If your loved one has died in a nursing home, the staff will usually contact the next of kin and the nominated funeral director.
If you would like to spend some time with your loved one, or wait for other family members to arrive, let the nursing staff know.
They can pass this information on to the Tony Hollands Funerals Staff.
If a funeral director has not already been nominated, you do not need to feel pressured into making a decision.
Tony Hollands Funerals can transfer your loved one into our care while you take the time to make a more informed choice about the funeral arrangements.
To arrange the transfer, we require either a Cause of Death Certificate, signed by your loved one's doctor, or a Life Extinct Certificate, signed by a registered nurse.
The transfer into our care will usually take place soon after you or the nursing home staff call us, as most nursing homes do not have their own holding facilities.
At Home Under Palliative Care
When someone receiving palliative care dies at home, contact the Palliative Care Nurse using the daytime or after-hours number provided to you.
If you would like support, you may also wish to ask a family member or friend to be with you.
When the Palliative Care Nurse arrives, they will verify that death has occurred and assist with the necessary arrangements.
This will include issuing a Life Extinct Certificate and contacting your loved one's doctor.
Take the time you need
Your loved one's body can remain at home for a period of time in a cool, dry room.
It is recommended to turn off or remove sources of heat.
This can give you time for family and friends to arrive and say their goodbyes, if you wish.
When you’re ready
When you are ready to arrange for your loved one to be transferred into our care, contact Tony Hollands Funerals on 07 3392 9919.
We require either a Cause of Death Certificate, signed by your loved one’s doctor, or a Life Extinct Certificate, usually signed by a registered nurse, before we can transfer your loved one into our care.
Unexpected or Sudden Death
If someone dies suddenly or unexpectedly, call an ambulance on 000.
The ambulance personnel will verify that death has occurred and, because the death is unexpected, will usually contact the police.
If there are no suspicious circumstances
If the police determine that there are no suspicious circumstances, they will attempt to contact your loved one’s doctor.
If the doctor is able and willing to sign a Cause of Death Certificate, you can contact Tony Hollands Funerals on 07 3392 9919 after the doctor has left.
We require either a Cause of Death Certificate, signed by your loved one’s doctor, or a Life Extinct Certificate, usually signed by the ambulance personnel, before we can transfer your loved one into our care.
If the death is referred to the Coroner
If there are suspicious circumstances, your loved one’s doctor cannot be contacted, or the doctor is unable or unwilling to sign the Cause of Death Certificate, the police will contact the Government Undertaker to transfer your loved one to the Government Mortuary.
You are not required to use the Government Undertaker for the funeral service. Their role at this stage is to transfer and care for your loved one while the circumstances of the death are being determined.
If your loved one’s doctor is later able to sign the Cause of Death Certificate, a post-mortem examination will not be required and you can contact Tony Hollands Funerals to arrange the transfer into our care.
If the doctor cannot provide the Cause of Death Certificate, the Coroner will arrange a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death.
We’re here to help
This process can feel overwhelming, particularly when a death has occurred unexpectedly.
At any stage, you can contact Tony Hollands Funerals on 07 3392 9919 for support and guidance.
Once the post-mortem examination has been completed, the Coroner will arrange for your loved one to be released for burial or cremation. Tony Hollands Funerals can submit the appropriate paperwork to the Coroner and arrange for your loved one to be transferred into our care.
We’re here when you need us
If you’re unsure what to do next, you don’t have to navigate this alone.
Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide guidance and support.
Call Tony Hollands Funerals on 07 3392 9919.
What happens when you contact us?
When you contact the team at Tony Hollands Funerals, we'll organise a time that's convenient for you to make the funeral arrangements.
In order to proceed, we require information about your loved one, including their full name, residential address, date of birth, date of death, place of death, and if possible, some details on what you would like for their funeral service.
We'll also need to know who will authorise us to carry out the funeral service.
This person, known as the Applicant, will be legally and financially responsible for the funeral arrangements. Details of the Applicant we require include full name, residential address, contact numbers, and we will need to view photo identification that includes the Applicant's date of birth at the time of the arrangement.
We request that all Applicants gather the information that is required to register a death in Queensland.
These details and other useful information regarding funeral arrangements are summarised in our Funeral Information Booklet.
For help when death occurs, call us on 07 3392 9919 day or night, seven days a week.
Together, our team at Tony Hollands Funerals is more than just a group of professionals; we are a dedicated family committed to supporting your family. We stand ready to provide comprehensive care, respectful guidance, and a compassionate presence when you need it most. We are honoured to serve the Brisbane community and invite you to reach out to us with any questions or needs you may have. Your peace of mind is our priority.
