What happens immediately after someone dies at home?

Australia · 29 August 2026 · 5 min read · Reviewed by Dr Kane Treble

If the death was expected, there is usually no need to call `000` or the police straight away.

If the death was expected, there is usually no need to call 000 or the police straight away. You can take a little time. When you are ready, call the person's palliative care team, GP or the doctor named in the home death plan.

General information: This page gives general information for people in Australia. It cannot tell you exactly what is happening in one person's situation. If you have concerns about a symptom, medicine, treatment decision or change in someone's condition, contact their doctor, palliative care team, nurse or other treating health professional. Rules and processes after death can vary, so follow the plan from the treating team and check state or territory requirements if needed.

First, check the plan

If the person was expected to die at home, the palliative care team or GP may already have told you what to do. There may be a folder, letter, care plan or phone list.

The plan may say:

who to call after death
whether a nurse can visit
which doctor will certify the death
whether a funeral director has been chosen
what to do if death happens overnight
whether ambulance staff should not attempt resuscitation

Healthdirect says there is no legal requirement to contact anyone straight away after an expected home death. If the person dies during the night, you may be able to wait until morning before calling the doctor, unless the care plan says otherwise or you need support sooner.

What you may notice

After death, the person is no longer breathing and cannot be woken. Their skin may become pale or cool. Their mouth or eyes may be partly open. These changes can be confronting, even when the death was expected.

You do not have to do anything immediately unless there is a safety issue. You may want to sit quietly, call someone close, say goodbye, pray, play music, or follow cultural or family practices. You may want someone else with you. There is no single right way to spend this time.

Who to call

When you are ready, call one of these:

the palliative care service, if involved
the person's GP
the doctor named in the home death plan
the community nursing service, if they have been part of care

They can advise what happens next. A doctor usually completes the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. In some places or circumstances, an authorised nurse or paramedic may verify that death has occurred, but a doctor still needs to certify the cause of death.

Services Australia also advises that if the death was expected, you should call the person's doctor so they can sign a certificate confirming the death.

Calling the funeral director

You can call a funeral director after the doctor or care team has been contacted, or when they tell you it is appropriate. The funeral director can collect the person's body and help with funeral arrangements. They can also help with paperwork for the death registration.

If a funeral director has not been chosen, there is usually time to choose one. If the death was expected, you do not normally have to rush. Ask the palliative care team or GP if you are unsure how long the person can remain at home.

Some families do not use a funeral director. If that is the plan, state or territory rules about registering the death and caring for the body still apply. Get clear local advice before choosing this option.

If the death is unexpected or unclear

Call 000 and ask for an ambulance if the death was sudden, unexpected, unexplained, suspicious, after an accident or injury, or if you are not sure whether the person has died.

If a doctor cannot certify the cause of death, the death may need to be reported to the coroner. Police may attend for the coroner in some cases. This does not mean anyone has done something wrong. It means the law requires the death to be looked into.

What to do with medicines and equipment

Do not throw away medicines straight away if you have been told the death may be reportable or if police or the coroner may be involved. Otherwise, ask the nurse, pharmacist or GP how to return or dispose of medicines safely.

Equipment such as a hospital bed, oxygen equipment, commode or pressure mattress may be collected later by the service that supplied it. This does not have to be done immediately unless it is blocking safe access or the service gives you specific instructions.

When to get help now

Call 000 if the death was not expected, if there has been an accident, injury, violence or suspicious circumstance, if the person may still be alive, or if someone else is at risk.

If the death was expected but you are distressed and alone, call a family member, friend, neighbour, palliative care after-hours number, GP after-hours service or healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for advice.