Whatever the circumstances at the time of death, we recommend contacting Anton Brown as soon as possible. This will allow us to assist and begin the funeral arrangements. 

We are available 24 hours, 7 days a week.  

Understandably, not many people know what to do when someone dies. What you do depends on how and where a person dies. 

Below you’ll find guidance on what to do when:  

  • Someone dies at a hospital or nursing home 
  • Someone dies at home 
  • Someone dies suddenly 
  • Someone dies interstate or overseas 

For help planning a dignified and personalised funeral service from a professional, family owned funeral director, the team at Anton Brown Funerals offer high-quality care and commitment every time. 

 

When someone dies – A practical guide for family & friends, click here to open.

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when-someone-dies

What To Do When Someone Dies

When Someone Dies at a Hospital or Nursing Home

In this instance, the Director of Nursing or the Nurse in Charge will help you with what happens in their particular facility. They will organise the Doctor to issue a death certificate, or a locum doctor may issue an interim certificate.

You will need to notify them of your choice of Funeral Director, and if at a nursing home they will notify the Funeral Director to arrange the transfer of the deceased person to their Funeral Home.

Anton Brown Funerals are available 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week to undertake this most precious of duties.

If the deceased is at a hospital, then the transfer into our care will occur during normal business hours after a Cause of Death Certificate has been issued.

When Someone Dies at Home

If someone dies at home, and they have been under the regular care of a doctor for the past three months, the first person you should contact is the person's doctor.

If the death is expected and they can confirm the cause of death then they will issue a Medical Cause of Death Certificate.

You can then contact us to arrange the transfer of the deceased person to our funeral home.

If the person has not seen a doctor in the past three months and the death is unexpected then the Police need to be notified.

When Someone Dies Suddenly

If the death is sudden or the result of an accident and the cause of death is not confirmed then the doctor will need to notify the Police. The Ambulance Service may do this if they have attended at the place of death.

It is important that the body not be moved or disturbed until Police have finished their initial investigations.

The Police will notify the government appointed undertaker to transfer the deceased to the State Mortuary. In Brisbane this is the Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services Facility near the QEII Hospital in Coopers Plains. At this point the deceased person is under the care of the Coroner.

The Coroner will then investigate and determine the cause of death. This may involve a post-mortem, and the police will give you details of counsellors at the State Mortuary that you can contact to discuss this process further.

Once the deceased person has been transferred to the State Mortuary you can contact us to make funeral arrangements. We will liaise with the Coroner to ascertain when the person can be released into our care and when a funeral can take place.

IMPORTANT NOTE: You have the right to contact your funeral director of choice, and you are under no obligation to use the government appointed undertaker that transferred the deceased person to the State Mortuary at the time of death.

When Someone Dies Interstate or Overseas

If a death occurs while travelling, or holidaying at a location away from home, you should contact us as soon as possible so that we can make the necessary arrangements to have your loved one returned home.

Depending on where the death occurred this may be undertaken via air transfer or by road by a specialist mortuary transfer company.

If the deceased person requires transfer overseas, you may contact us and we will undertake the necessary processes with the relevant local and overseas government agencies.

We will prepare and process the necessary paperwork on your behalf in accordance with your requests.

When Do I Contact A Funeral Director?

Whatever the circumstances of the death, you are required to contact a funeral director as soon as possible to discuss arrangements for the funeral.

The professional staff at Anton Brown Funerals are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you during this time.

Call us on (07) 3217 3088 

Why Choose Anton Brown Funerals

Since 1995

At Anton Brown funerals, we have been specialising in delivering dignified and personalised services for our clients for 25+ years.

100% Queensland Family Owned

Anton Brown Funerals was formed by Anton himself and his wife Sally. We are proud to be a 100% Queensland Family Owned company.

Personalised Service & Support

We understand that everyone’s situation is different, and we go above and beyond to cater to your needs and requests as best we can.

Integrity

The compassionate team at Anton Brown Funeral offer professional, honest and a dignified services every time.

It is recommended to reach out to a funeral director as soon as possible once someone has passed away. Anton Brown Funerals is well placed to assist at any time of the day or night, so please don’t hesitate to call.  

Call (07) 3217 3088
Enquire Online