The first 24 hours following the death of a loved one is often a time of overwhelming emotions. In the first instance, it is really important for you to take a little bit of time for yourself to try and sit with these emotions for a bit.
Just try to settle them enough for you to begin to make arrangements. Contact a support person. Let them know what has happened and allow them to carry some of your burden in the short term.
It is a time when many decisions will need to be made, and so it is very important for you to take time and not to rush.
We are here to listen, and to guide you in the best possible way.
‘Mark & Toni McKenzie of Peter Jackson Funeral Directors can be contacted any time of the day or night on 08 90411 054 for professional advice.’
People die in any number of situations and circumstances. Generally, there are two categories of death. There are ‘Reportable Deaths’, where the Coroner is required to be involved and ‘Non-Reportable Deaths’, where the deceased’s GP or usual Doctor will complete the paperwork required to perform a Funeral Service.
If a person dies in nursing care, either in hospital, an aged care facility or at home, the nursing staff in these facilities will arrange for the correct procedures to occur.
If the death is expected and occurs at home, then more than likely you will have discussed this event with the Dr. If you have arranged to have an our of hours number to contact your Dr in the event of a death, then please utilise this to notify them. Not only do Dr’s care deeply for their patients and would appreciate the call, they need to
be advised in the first instance from a legal perspective. They will be responsible for completing the Medical Certificate – Cause of Death and will require specific information from you.
‘Once a doctor has confirmed they will complete the necessary documentation then you may contact Mark & Toni to come and collect your loved one.’
If the death occurs at home, in the workplace or anywhere outside any of the previously mentioned circumstances and was NOT expected, you will need to call the police in the first instance. Depending on the circumstances, the coroner may be required to conduct a post-mortem to determine the cause of death.
In most cases the police will not need to attend, unless the death:
- Was unexpected, unnatural or violent or resulted directly or indirectly from injury;
- Occurred during an anaesthetic or as a result of an anaesthetic procedure;
- Is of a person whose identity is unknown;
- Is of a person who immediately before death was a person held in care;
- Appears to have been caused or contributed to while the person was held in care;
- Appears to have been caused or contributed to by a member of the police force;
- Occurred in WA and where a medical practitioner has not certified the cause.
If the police are involved, they will arrange for the Government Contractor to transfer the deceased. The Coroners Office will contact you and let you know what to expect moving forward. At the conclusion of any investigations, the Coroners Office will ask you to engage with a Funeral Director.
‘We are here to assist in such situations and will arrange all transfers and documentation on your behalf.’
You will need to provide some information for us in the first instance. Usually, we can gather the following information from you when you first get in touch.
- The deceased’s full name and date of birth;
- Your full name, relationship to the deceased and contact phone number;
- The place of death;
- Whether a doctor or police officer has attended;
- An appropriate time for us to attend;
- The approximate height and weight of the deceased;
- Whether there is a Pre-Arranged Funeral Plan.
