What happens next
When a loved one passes away, it can feel overwhelming, confusing, and deeply painful. In those first moments, it’s completely natural to feel unsure of what to do. Please know that you are not alone — we are here to guide you with care, patience, and compassion.
It is perfectly OK to take a moment for yourself before notifying others. If it feels too difficult, you may wish to ask a trusted family member or friend to help. And if you ever feel uncertain or need support, please call us. We are here to help in any way we can.
When Someone Passes Away at Home
If your loved one passes away at home, please contact their doctor’s surgery during normal hours. A GP will visit to confirm the death and complete the Cause of Death Certificate. We understand how emotional this moment can be, and we will be ready to support you as soon as you need us.
When Someone Passes Away in Hospital
If you are not present, hospital staff will contact you gently and respectfully. A doctor will issue the medical certificate of death, and a release form will need to be signed by the next of kin so that we can bring your loved one into our care.
If you are planning a cremation, please let the hospital staff know. Once all required paperwork is completed, we will attend the hospital and transfer your loved one into our care with dignity and compassion.
When Someone Passes Away in a Nursing Home
If a death occurs in a nursing home, the staff will contact you and arrange for a doctor to attend. They will then contact the funeral director on your behalf so your loved one can be brought into care.
Coronial Death
If the death was sudden or unexpected, it is normal for the coroner to be notified. The coroner may carry out an examination to determine the cause of death. Once this process is complete, they will provide the necessary paperwork so your funeral director can continue caring for your loved one.
Grief Support
Most people expect to feel very upset or distressed when someone close to them dies. What often comes as a surprise is the intensity of those emotions how powerful they can be, how quickly they can change, and how long they may stay. People around you might assume you should be “back to normal” after a few weeks or months. You may even look like your usual self on the outside, while inside you’re still trying to understand what “normal” means now.
Everyone grieves in a way that is uniquely their own, shaped by their relationship with the person who has died. Well‑intentioned people may say, “Time is a great healer,” but sometimes it can feel as though life becomes even harder as the weeks and months pass.
We know that no one can truly understand exactly what your loss feels like to you. But we also know that it can sometimes be easier to talk to someone outside your circle of family and friends someone who can listen without expectations, without assumptions, and without judgement.
Compassionate Friends South Australia provides emotional support, access to trained bereavement counsellors, offering a gentle, understanding presence at a time when you may feel most alone.
Grief does not discern time; their grief support telephone line is available 24 hours a day. 0456 820 133 available 24/7