What Happens When Someone Dies At Home In Melbourne?

Prepared by Damian Meehan | Crane Funerals.
Approximate reading time 12 minutes.

Information Guide about what happens next, who to call, and the steps families usually need to take when a death occurs at home in Melbourne or on the Mornington Peninsula.

When someone dies at home it can feel overwhelming, even when the death is expected. While every situation is different, there is a fairly straightforward process most families in Melbourne will need to follow if a death occurs at home.

In Summary:

• Expected death – contact doctor, palliative care team or funeral director

• Unexpected death, call 000

• Families can often spend time together before transfer into care occurs

• Help and guidance are available if you’re unsure of next steps

• You do not need to make every decision immediately. Take your time and keep as calm as you can

This article explains the usual steps, and answers some of the questions we are most often asked. If at any time you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.

If you’re uncertain whether the death was expected, or you’re simply unsure what to do, don’t worry about making the perfect decision. Calling 000 or seeking medical advice is often the best first step. The professionals involved will guide you from there.

Here’s what happens, based on our experience guiding Melbourne and Mornington Peninsula families through this process.

If The Death Was Expected – for example, under palliative care or VAD at home:

• Usually, no ambulance is required
• Contact the palliative care nurse or treating doctor (arrangements like this will generally be in place beforehand so you know which of them to call). Sometimes you may not need to call them at all – but they will advise you of this before the time comes.
• You can then contact the funeral director who will arrange their team to come and bring your loved one into their care.
• Doctor completes paperwork in the day or two following.
• Funeral director helps you arrange all funeral details, and you can have as much or as little involvement in those details as suits you.

Especially in the case of expected deaths, families may spend some quiet time together before contacting a funeral director. Remember that you don’t need to make rushed decisions.

For families seeking more information about palliative care or voluntary assisted dying (VAD), our Guide on VAD Funeral Support explains the process in more detail and answers many of the questions families commonly ask.

If The Death Was Unexpected

When a death occurs unexpectedly, the first move is to contact 000 – it is often routine for police to attend in these cases – and they may decide to contact an ambulance, or the Coroner if they feel there is any need for your loved one to be under Coronial care. They will advise you on these matters in that initial phone call.

Don’t panic if the police decide they need to attend – they are there to help you guide the process and determine appropriate next steps. It doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong. They understand the difficulty of the situation and will do their best to help you determine what needs to happen next.

Do I Need To Call An Ambulance when someone dies at home?

Whether you need to call an ambulance depends on the circumstances of the death.

Many families are surprised to learn that an ambulance is not always required when an expected death occurs at home. Generally, expected deaths are managed through the person’s doctor or palliative care team rather than emergency services. It’s best to have these details sorted out before the time comes, so you aren’t left wondering what to do in the middle of the night when you are understandably stressed. In these cases when the doctor is aware, they can fill out the medical cause of death certificate late, so the funeral director will send their team to collect your loved one, and no ambulance will be required.

Remember as per the previous section however, if the death was unexpected, or if you are unsure what to do, calling 000 is generally the safest course of action.

“Will An Ambulance Take Them To Hospital?”

Not necessarily. In some situations, particularly where a death has been expected, the next steps may involve the person’s doctor, palliative care team and chosen funeral director rather than transportation to hospital. The ambulance crew may just be there to confirm the death.

Every situation is different, and families often feel overwhelmed in the first few hours after a death. If you’re unsure what to do, a funeral director can often provide guidance about the process, even before any funeral arrangements need to be discussed.

Understanding the next steps

Sometimes a calm conversation is easier than searching for answers.

Every situation is different. We’re happy to help explain the process and answer your questions.

Who Officially Confirms A Death at home?

When someone dies at home, one of the most common questions families ask is “who is responsible for officially confirming the death”. The answer depends on the circumstances surrounding the death and whether it was expected or unexpected.

In most cases, a medical professional or relevant authority will guide the process and advise the family on the next steps. In most cases, the funeral director will liaise with these authorities on your behalf regarding the certificate – because we also need the certificate to proceed with cremation or burial.

If the death was expected

Where a person has been receiving palliative care or treatment for a known illness, the death may be confirmed through the person’s doctor or in consultation with the palliative care team.

Families are often given information in advance about who to contact when the time comes.

Palliative care team

Palliative care nurses are experienced in supporting families through the final stages of life. They may or may not be present when the time comes, but they will provide practical guidance during what is an emotional time. They will often be the first point of contact and can notify relevant medical practitioners and explain next steps to you.

If a treating doctor has already been involved

The doctor will generally finalise a medical cause of death certificate for a patient with an existing illness depending on the circumstances.

Ambulance officers

Ambulance officers may attend to assess the situation and determine whether further medical or investigative involvement is required.

Coroner

Families are sometimes concerned when they hear the Coroner may be involved in a death. In reality, coronial investigations are a routine part of certain types of deaths and do not suggest that anyone has done anything wrong. They generally investigate deaths that are unexpected, where the cause of death is unknown, accidental deaths, and certain reportable deaths. Again, Coroner involvement does not imply any sort of wrongdoing – their role is to establish the cause and circumstances of death when required – with an autopsy or without, again depending on the circumstances.

When Should We Contact A Funeral Director?

Often, the easiest next step is simply a calm conversation — not decisions.

Many families contact a funeral director once a death has been formally confirmed. At that point arrangements can be made for transportation into care, mortuary care and any funeral, cremation or burial services that may be required.

However, there is no need to have everything decided before you call. Decisions about cremation or burial, venues, dates and other funeral details can all be discussed later. The immediate priority is ensuring the person entrusted to our care is attended to professionally and respectfully.

Some families also choose to contact a funeral director before a death occurs, particularly during palliative care, terminal illness or VAD situations. This can provide reassurance and help everyone understand what to expect when the time comes.

If a death has already occurred, it is important that the relevant medical professionals or authorities have first verified the death before a funeral director can bring the person into care.

Whether you are planning ahead or responding to a recent death, a funeral director can help explain:

• What happens next
• Transportation into care
• Registration of the death
• Cremation and burial options
• Funeral timeframes and costs
• Available support services

Most importantly, contacting a funeral director does not commit you to making immediate decisions. Often a brief conversation is enough to answer questions and help families understand the next steps.

What Happens After The Person Leaves Home?

Once someone is transferred into our care, they are taken to our mortuary care facility where they remain until the time of the funeral, cremation or burial.

Depending on the wishes of the individual and their family, they may be dressed in their own clothing, prepared for viewing if required, placed in a shroud, or simply cared for in a natural and dignified manner without additional preparation. Every family has different preferences, and these options can be discussed when arrangements are made.

The next step is usually an arrangement meeting, where we guide the family through the available options and help plan a funeral, memorial service, cremation or burial that reflects the wishes of the individual and their family.

As part of this process, information required by the Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages is collected so the death can be formally registered and the official death certificate issued.

At Crane Funerals, the person entrusted to our care remains under our personal coordination from the time they are transferred into care until the funeral arrangements have been completed – Responsibility never leaves our hands.

Common Questions Families Ask      

Can I stay with them after they die, or can they remain at home overnight?

In many situations, yes.

Please know that you do not have to let your loved one go immediately.

The initial steps of contacting palliative care teams or doctors – or 000 if required – will take some time.

After this, you are still able to slow down and spend some time alone or as a family saying your goodbyes. This can be cathartic even if you are planning on having a viewing later.

Where a death has been expected and the necessary medical procedures have been completed, families may sometimes choose to spend additional time with the person before they are transferred into care. For some families, this provides an opportunity to gather relatives, spend quiet time together, allow grandchildren to say goodbye, or simply avoid making arrangements during the middle of the night.

Some families prefer a prompt transfer into care, while others appreciate having additional time together. There is no right or wrong approach. Every family, culture and circumstance is different, so take the time to consider what feels best for you.

However, every situation is unique. Factors such as the person’s condition, the weather, the home environment and any medical or legal requirements may influence what is appropriate.

Many families later tell us they appreciated having a little extra time together before the person was transferred into care. Often, people assume they need to make decisions immediately, when in reality a little time and space can be just as important.

If you are unsure how much time is available or what happens next, your doctor, palliative care team, funeral director or relevant authorities can help guide you based on your individual circumstances.

What if someone dies during the night?

You won’t be left to manage everything on your own.

Death does not always occur during business hours, and funeral directors, doctors and care teams understand this. If someone dies during the night, there is usually no need to panic or feel that everything must be organised immediately.

Depending on the circumstances, there may be some initial steps to complete first, such as contacting a doctor, palliative care team or emergency services. If the person’s usual doctor is unavailable, there may be another doctor involved in their care who can assist, and in some situations a registered nurse may be able to verify that death has occurred and guide the next steps.

If a death occurs unexpectedly, or there is uncertainty about what to do, calling 000 is generally the safest course of action.

Once the necessary requirements have been attended to, a funeral director can arrange for the person to be transferred into care. At Crane Funerals, our team is available 24 hours a day to assist when a transfer into care is required. An arrangement meeting can then be organised at a suitable time to discuss the funeral and any decisions that need to be made.

Most importantly, if a death occurs during the night, you do not need to have all the answers immediately. Medical professionals, care providers and funeral directors deal with these situations regularly and will help guide you through the next steps.

Will police attend?

In the case of an unexpected death at home, yes. Calling 000 is usually the first step, and police may attend as part of the normal process.

They will help you decide what needs to happen next – whether the Coroner needs to be involved, or they can confirm and contact a treating doctor.

Police attendance of course does not automatically mean anything suspicious has occurred.

What if the Coroner becomes involved?

Coroner’s involvement does not mean that somebody has done something wrong. It is simply a routine part of certain types of deaths and does not necessarily indicate anything suspicious has occurred.

It also does not necessarily mean that funeral arrangements will be significantly delayed.

If police deem the circumstances require further investigation, they may refer the death to the Coroner.

The Coroner’s role is to determine the cause and circumstance of death when these cannot be established immediately. Depending on the situation, family members may be contacted and asked to provide information or assist with identification.

Once the Coroner has completed their investigations and paperwork (often within 2-5 days, although each case is different), the person can be released into the care of a funeral director so that cremation or burial arrangements can proceed.

Can family members help dress them?

In many cases, yes.

Families can often assist with dressing a person before a viewing or funeral service, provided it can be done safely and in accordance with health and safety requirements.

Many people are surprised to learn that mortuaries operate under strict health and safety guidelines. A mortuary is not the same as a hospital room or a family home. There can be health risks that are not immediately obvious.

Even when someone appears peaceful and unchanged, there may be bodily fluids, bacteria and other health risks that require specialised handling and protective equipment. Our responsibility is to protect not just the dignity of the person in our care, but also the safety of everyone involved.

If a family would like to be involved in dressing or caring for the person entrusted to us, we are always happy to discuss the options available and determine what can be done safely and appropriately.

How soon does the funeral need to happen?

As with everything at Crane Funerals, there is no need to rush. We want to help you take your time and have the final ceremony arranged just as you would like it to be.

To that end, we often arrange a cremation first and help families with a memorial service later -maybe one to two weeks – or even months – later.

Many families assume a funeral must take place within a few days of a death, however this is rarely the case. Depending on the circumstances, funerals are often held anywhere from one to three weeks after death, and sometimes longer if family members are travelling, venues are unavailable or additional arrangements need to be made.

If the Coroner becomes involved, there may be some additional time required before funeral arrangements can proceed. Likewise, cultural, religious or personal preferences may influence the timing.

The most important thing is to allow enough time to make informed decisions and create a farewell that feels right for you and your family.

We can explain the available timeframes and help coordinate arrangements based on your specific circumstances.

Support For Families Across Melbourne And The Mornington Peninsula

Crane Funerals provides guidance for families across Melbourne, Eastern and South Eastern Suburbs, as well as throughout the Mornington Peninsula. Our Director Damian has been guiding families across these areas for three decades. And as a family owned, and independent funeral director, Crane Funerals is here to support you whenever you need help.

In conclusion

If someone has recently died at home and you’re unsure what to do next, we’re happy to guide you through the process. Sometimes a calm, brief conversation is all that’s needed to help you understand the next steps.

Need More Information?

If someone has recently died at home and you’re unsure what to do next, we’re happy to guide you through the process.

Even if you haven’t chosen a funeral director, we’re happy to explain the usual process and answer your questions.

Sometimes a calm, brief conversation is all that’s needed to help you understand the next steps.

Crane Funerals – Guiding families across the Mornington Peninsula & Melbourne: