When a loved one dies, Australian families typically have between 24 and 72 hours to make urgent decisions about the body, notify authorities, and engage a funeral director. This step-by-step guide walks you through the first 48 hours so you can act with confidence during one of life's most difficult moments.
How to arrange a funeral: the first 48 hours step by step — 2026 AU guide
Losing someone is overwhelming, and the practical responsibilities that follow a death can feel impossible to navigate. Whether the death occurred at home, in hospital, or in an aged care facility, the same broad sequence of steps applies across every Australian state and territory. Use this guide as a checklist you can return to whenever you need it.
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Step 1: Confirm the death and obtain a medical certificate
The very first formal requirement after a death is obtaining a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). In most cases, a doctor who attended the deceased during their final illness will issue this certificate. If the death was unexpected, occurred at home, or the cause is unclear, the matter must be reported to the relevant state or territory coroner before any funeral arrangements can proceed.
In a hospital or aged care setting, nursing staff will usually guide the family through this process immediately. If a death occurs at home, call 000 if the person has not been under medical supervision -- police will attend and, where necessary, refer the matter to the coroner.
Without a completed MCCD or a coroner's order permitting release of the body, a funeral director cannot legally take custody of the deceased. Keep this in mind when you make your first call.
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Step 2: Contact a funeral director
Once the relevant certificate is in order (or underway through the coroner's office), your next step is engaging a funeral director. You do not need to use the funeral home closest to where the person died -- you are free to choose any licensed provider in your state or territory.
Before you commit, ask every funeral director for a written, itemised quote. Reputable directors who are members of the Australian Funeral Directors Association are bound by a code of ethics that includes transparent pricing and honest communication. Membership is worth checking before you sign anything.
If you are in New South Wales, see our guide to the best funeral directors in Sydney for an independent comparison. For a full breakdown of what affects pricing, visit our cost guide.
When you call a funeral director in those first hours, have the following information ready:
- Full legal name of the deceased - Date and place of death - Name of the attending doctor or hospital - Whether a will or pre-paid funeral plan exists - Any known religious, cultural, or personal wishes
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Step 3: Notify the relevant government agencies
Several government agencies must be notified promptly after a death. The sequence matters because some notifications unlock entitlements or stop unnecessary payments.
Register the death with Births, Deaths and Marriages. Each state and territory has its own registry. You can find links to all of them through the Australian Government's Births, Deaths and Marriages directory. The funeral director often lodges the initial notification on your behalf, but the family is responsible for obtaining certified copies of the death certificate, which are needed for many downstream tasks. Notify Services Australia (Centrelink). If the deceased received any government payments -- Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment, or similar -- these must be cancelled promptly. Overpayments may need to be repaid. Services Australia can also assess whether surviving family members are entitled to a bereavement payment; contact them directly at servicesaustralia.gov.au for current entitlements. Cancel or transfer other accounts. This includes Medicare, the Australian Taxation Office (for the final tax return), superannuation funds, and financial institutions. Each has its own process and required documentation.---
Step 4: Locate the will and any pre-paid funeral arrangements
Before you confirm any funeral arrangements, search for a will or a pre-paid funeral plan. A will may contain specific burial or cremation wishes that must be respected wherever possible. A pre-paid plan, sometimes called a funeral bond or prepaid funeral contract, covers some or all costs and specifies a preferred provider.
If a pre-paid funeral plan exists, contact that funeral director first. If the chosen director has closed or changed hands, the plan's funds should still be accessible -- check with ASIC MoneySmart's guidance on funeral insurance and prepaid plans to understand your rights before signing any new contracts.
If no will can be located and you are unsure about legal authority to make decisions, seek advice from a solicitor or the public trustee in your state before proceeding.
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Step 5: Make the core funeral decisions
With the administrative groundwork underway, you can begin making the key decisions that shape the service:
- Burial or cremation. Each has different timeframe, cost, and environmental implications. Ask the funeral director to explain both options in writing. - Type of service. Options range from a fully attended religious ceremony to a simple direct cremation with no formal service. Neither is more valid than the other -- the choice should reflect the deceased's wishes and the family's needs. - Location and timing. Church, chapel, graveside, outdoor, or online. Timing often depends on the availability of the cemetery or crematorium, not just the funeral home. - Death notices and obituaries. Most funeral directors can help place these, but you are not obliged to use their preferred media outlet.
Document every decision in writing and ask for a revised itemised quote before signing the funeral director's agreement. Under Australian Consumer Law, you have rights around unfair contract terms and misleading conduct -- the ACCC provides guidance on these rights if you feel pressured or misled at any point.
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Step 6: Support yourself and other family members
The first 48 hours involve intense administrative pressure at the very moment grief is at its most acute. Delegate wherever you can. Assign one person to manage communications with the funeral director, another to handle government notifications, and another to reach out to extended family.
Grief can affect decision-making, and funeral directors are trained to work with bereaved families. If you feel rushed into decisions -- particularly expensive upgrades -- it is completely reasonable to ask for time. A reputable director will accommodate you.
For emotional support, Beyond Blue (beyondblue.org.au) and Griefline (griefline.org.au) provide free, confidential support services to Australians dealing with bereavement.
For a deeper look at how we evaluate funeral directors, visit our methodology page.
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FAQ
Q: Can we arrange a funeral without a funeral director in Australia? A: In most states and territories it is technically possible to arrange a home funeral or DIY funeral, but the requirements are complex and vary by jurisdiction. You will still need a registered medical practitioner to issue a death certificate and must comply with local burial or cremation laws. Speak to your state's health department or a solicitor before proceeding without a licensed director. Q: How long do we have before we must make decisions about the body? A: This depends on the circumstances and the storage facilities available. Funeral directors and hospitals can hold a body in refrigeration while arrangements are being made. If the death involved the coroner, the timeframe may extend further. Ask the funeral director or hospital directly about the specific situation. Q: What if we cannot afford a funeral? A: State and territory governments offer assistance in cases of financial hardship. Services Australia may also offer a bereavement payment to eligible family members. Contact Services Australia and your state's community services department for current options. Some councils provide low-cost burial options through public cemeteries. Q: Are we legally required to use a funeral director? A: There is no single national law requiring it, but licensing, permit, and transport requirements in most states make it very difficult to proceed without one. Consult your state's health or births, deaths and marriages authority for the specific rules that apply in your jurisdiction.---
Sources
- Australian Funeral Directors Association (AFDA) -- Code of Ethics and consumer information - ASIC MoneySmart -- Funeral insurance and prepaid plans - ACCC -- Consumer rights and unfair contract terms - Australian Government -- Births, Deaths and Marriages registries by state and territory - Services Australia -- Bereavement payments and notification obligations
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Information in this article is general only and not legal or financial advice. Verify the details with the linked sources or an appropriately qualified Australian professional before relying on them.
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