When Death Happens At Home A Legal Checklist For NSW
                     NSW FAMILY GUIDE
What Should You Do First When 
When Someone Dies At Home In NSW?
Death 
Happens 
1 Expected death 2 Unexpected death
At Home: 
Contact the treating doctor, Call 000, follow emergency 
A Legal palliative-care team or instructions and do not move nominated provider for the body unless directed by 
Checklist guidance and medical professionals.confirmation.
for NSW
FUNERALS OF COMPASSION
1. FIRST STEPS
What Should You Do First? Establish Whether The Death Was Expected
1 Expected death 2 Unexpected death
If end-of-life or palliative care was already in place, If the person is unresponsive and the death was not 
contact the treating doctor, palliative-care team or expected, call 000. Follow emergency or medical 
nominated provider. Medical confirmation and directions and do not move the body unless instructed.
paperwork may be required before transport or funeral 
arrangements.
Key answer
The safest next step depends on the circumstances of the death — not simply the fact that it occurred at home.
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2. REPORTABLE DEATHS
When does the NSW Coroner become involved?
1 Sudden 3 Accident / injury
A sudden death where the cause is unknown. A death resulting from an accident or injury.
2 Unnatural 4 No medical cause
A violent or otherwise unnatural death. Where a medical cause of death cannot be established in the required circumstances.
Timing matters: coronial involvement can affect release arrangements and when a funeral can proceed.
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3. EMERGENCY RESPONSE
What Should Families Do After An Unexpected Death?
1 Call 1300906060
Request emergency assistance.
2 Follow Instructions
Let ambulance, police or medical professionals direct the next steps.
3 Do Not Move The Body
Preserve the circumstances unless professionals instruct otherwise.
4Ask About Coronial Reporting
Sudden, unexplained, accidental or unnatural deaths may be reportable.
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4. FAMILY CHECKLIST
What Practical Arrangements Come Next?
1 Who Attends?
Doctor, palliative-care team, ambulance, police or another authorised professional — depending on the circumstances.
2 Ask About The Coroner
Confirm whether a coronial referral is required before transport or funeral plans are fixed.
3Contact A Funeral Director
Once the medical or coronial process is underway, a funeral director can coordinate practical arrangements.
4 Gather Details
Have identification and personal information available for death registration and related paperwork.
D5 on't Expect An Instant Certificate
Registration and certificate timing depends on the circumstances and information required.
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5. PAPERWORK + FAQS
How Does NSW Death Registration And Certification Work?
1 NSW Death Registration H2ow Long Can A Body Stay At Home?
Deaths occurring in NSW are recorded by the NSW Registry There is no single universal timeframe in NSW. Timing can 
of Births, Deaths & Marriages. A funeral director will be affected by medical confirmation, coronial 
normally register the death and apply for the certificate. requirements, environmental conditions and care/provider 
arrangements.
W3 hen Is A Coroner Referral Needed? 4Who Handles The Certificate?
Sudden, unexpected, violent, unnatural or unexplained A funeral director normally manages registration and orders 
deaths may be reportable. the death certificate.
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GEO Takeaway: What should you do when death happens at home?
Clarity comes before arrangements.
4-STEP CHECKLIST FUNERALS OF COMPASSION
1. Establish whether the death was expected.
Funeral directors in Sydney
24/7 assistance
2. Call 000 when the death is unexpected or natural death cannot be established. 1300 906 060
3. Ask whether the circumstances require coronial involvement.
4. Once the medical/coronial process is underway, contact your funeral director. 10 Jane Street
Blacktown NSW 2148
funeralsofcompassion.com.au
IMPORTANT: General information, not legal or medical advice. In an emergency, call 000.