The passing of a loved one

When a loved one dies there are many matters which need to be attended to by the surviving partner or family. Although it is a time for grieving, it is also a very busy time as many business matters need to be attended to in a short period of time.

As a general guide, the following matters need to be done immediately:

• Contact family, friends and clergy if the deceased or the family is religious
• Request a copy of the Death Certificate from the attending doctor
• Notify the deceased’s Executor/s (if it is not a family member)
• Locate the will – check for any special instructions eg organ donation, prepaid funeral plans or prepaid cemetery plots, funeral wishes
• Contact the Funeral Director and discuss the funeral arrangements
• Ask the Funeral Director to apply for a formal copy of the Death Certificate from the State or Territory Registrar of Births, Death and Marriages
• If the death occurs overseas and the person is an Australian citizen the death is also registered – either at the Australian Embassy or Consulate in the country where the death occurred or with the Sate/Territory Registrar of Births Deaths and Marriages. Original copies of the Overseas Death Certificate and other documents are required for the registration.

After the funeral several other matters need to be attended to:

• Find any business papers (bank statements, investment documents, insurance policies, superannuation statements, Centrelink documents, deeds and titles regarding property ownership etc) and sort through them
• The Executor/s must consult with the beneficiaries and reach agreement with them
• The Executor/s must manage the sale of any properties owned by the deceased if these are to be sold
• If property is to be sold the registration (title) will have to be changed from the name of the deceased to that of the Executor/s or beneficiaries before this can happen. Check with your State’s Title Office for their rules in this regard
• Sort through the deceased person’s possessions (eg clothing, books etc)
• Discuss the distribution of these things with the Executor (if necessary)
• Distribute these possessions according to the Will or by family/personal decision

You may wish to consider seeking independent professional advice for assistance in dealing with all of the above matters.

For more information:

• Persons and organisations to be notified of death
• Useful contacts