There is no right way to grieve. But there are some things that genuinely need to happen in the first days — and a lot of things that can wait. This guide tells you which is which.
When someone you love dies, the administrative world doesn't pause. Banks need notifying. Government agencies stop payments. Paperwork starts accumulating. But most of it can wait. Here's what actually can't.
These are the only things that need to happen immediately. Nothing else is urgent right now.
If the death was unexpected, call 000. If expected (palliative care, terminal illness), call their treating GP to certify the death. The GP or hospital will issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, which is needed to register the death.
A funeral director will take care of the body and guide you through the immediate decisions. You don't need to have everything figured out. They will usually register the death with the state registry on your behalf — confirm this with them.
Let close family members know. Keep a record of who you've told — you may need to formally notify beneficiaries later in the estate process.
Look at home first — a filing cabinet, bedside drawer, home safe. Then contact their solicitor if they had one. The will names the executor, who has legal responsibility for the estate. If you can't find a will in the first few days, don't panic — it can wait a week.
Once the funeral is arranged or completed, these tasks become important. They're not all urgent on day one — but don't leave them too long.
You'll need at least 8–10 original certified copies. Banks, super funds, insurance companies, and courts all require originals, not photocopies. Order them through the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in your state. Allow 2–3 weeks for delivery — order early.
If the deceased received any Centrelink payment (Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, etc.), notify Services Australia immediately. Overpayments made after the date of death will need to be repaid. Call 132 300 or use myGov. See our Centrelink guide for full details.
Contact the deceased's bank to report the death. Sole accounts will be frozen pending estate administration. Joint accounts may continue with the surviving account holder. Bring the death certificate and your ID. See our Banks & Accounts guide.
Super does not automatically go through the will — it's paid by the trustee. Notify the fund early to start the death benefit claim process. If there's a binding death benefit nomination, the trustee is bound by it. If not, they have discretion. See our Super & Insurance guide.
Notify Medicare of the death to cancel their card and claim any outstanding rebates. If they were a veteran, notify the Department of Veterans' Affairs. These can be done by calling the relevant agencies or visiting a Services Australia office.
If the person lived alone, make sure their home is secure. Inform home insurance of the death. Don't move or dispose of assets until you've confirmed the legal position — this can cause problems in the estate later.
These things matter — but you don't need to deal with them in the first two weeks. Take a breath.
Start collecting these as soon as you can. You'll need them for almost every step of the estate process.
Every institution that deals with the estate will want to see it.
Order at least 8–10 originals. You cannot use photocopies for most official purposes.
As executor or next of kin, every institution will want to verify your identity.
Account numbers if you have them. Account statements. Online banking login if accessible and lawful to access.
Check their payslips, tax returns, or MyGov account if you have access.
Life insurance, income protection, funeral insurance. Check their email inbox, filing cabinet, and any financial adviser correspondence.
For any real estate or vehicles they owned. These will be needed for transfer later.
If the death was unexpected or at home without medical attendance, call 000. If expected (palliative care, known terminal illness), call the treating GP to issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.
Once this is done, contact a funeral director. They will take care of the immediate care of the body and will usually register the death on your behalf.
As soon as possible — ideally within 14 days. If the deceased was receiving any Centrelink payment (Age Pension, DSP, Carer Payment, etc.), payments will continue until Centrelink is notified.
Any overpayments made after the date of death must be repaid. Notifying promptly avoids this. Call Services Australia on 132 300 or visit a service centre.
Start at home — check filing cabinets, bedside drawers, and home safes. Contact their solicitor if they had one. Most state trustee corporations also maintain a will registry you can search.
In NSW, the NSW Trustee & Guardian has a wills register. In Victoria, contact State Trustees. In Queensland, the Public Trustee. If no will is found after a thorough search, the estate is distributed under the rules of intestacy for that state.
Yes. The ATO needs to be notified of the death so the deceased's Tax File Number can be flagged. A final tax return must be lodged for the financial year in which they died.
If there is an estate generating income (e.g. rent from a property, investment income), the estate itself may need to lodge a separate tax return. A registered tax agent can handle this — there's no rush to do it immediately after the death.
It depends significantly on the complexity of the estate. A simple estate — a will, no property, few assets, no disputes — can be wrapped up in 3–6 months.
Estates involving property, superannuation disputes, multiple beneficiaries, or business interests commonly take 12–18 months. Probate alone (if required) takes 4–8 weeks after the application is filed. There is no fixed deadline, but some distributions can't be made until the executor is reasonably satisfied all debts and claims have been addressed — usually after 6 months.
Generally, no — not without the bank's approval. Once a bank is notified of a death, sole accounts are typically frozen pending estate administration. Accessing a deceased person's accounts without authorisation can have legal consequences.
However, most banks will release funds for specific purposes — funeral costs, for example — before probate is granted. Each bank has its own threshold (usually $10,000–$50,000) below which they may release funds without requiring probate. Talk to the bank's estate services team for guidance specific to your situation.