If death occurs from natural causes:
We suggest you contact the family doctor. If the person has been treated by the doctor in the previous three months, for a life or potentially life threatening medical condition, the doctor will normally be able to issue a certificate as to the cause of death. Your should then phone Traditional Funerals.
If death occurs at hospital or a nursing home:
In most cases the attending doctor will be able to issue a medical certificate as to the cause of death. Currently most nursing homes require families to nominate their preferred funeral director when their family member becomes a resident of the nursing home, in which case the nursing home staff will contact Traditional Funerals. However, if death occurs in a hospital, the initial contact is made by the family.
Accidental or sudden death:
If a person is not under the care of a physician or dies suddenly or accidentally, it is a legal requirement for the police to be contacted, who in turn will contact the coroner. The coroner is a magistrate appointed to oversee the police investigation into all sudden or accidental deaths. Under these circumstances a government pathologist will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Download our Checklist
You can download and print this helpful checklist to make dealing with this time easier, and ensure that everyone is notified.
