We never know when death will strike. It may happen at home, in the nursing home, at the hospital or retirement village or in a public place. Most of the time, the doctor is the first person who will be called. Once the doctor has identified the legalities relating to the cause of death as well as the identity of the deceased, a medical certificate will be prepared stating the cause of death and the time of death, among others. From this point, it is time to call your Funeral Director.
Notify Proper Authorities
Meet The Funeral Director / Staff
One of the first points of contact when a death occurs should also be Orthodox Funeral Services. Our Funeral Director is tasked to liaise on your family’s behalf as well as take care of everything that happens afterwards.
On your first meeting with us, we will discuss the arrangements for your loved one’s burial. We can meet you in the comfort of your own home or at our funeral parlour. You will be shown a list of our packages/services so you can decide what suits your family’s preferences and budget.
Filing For A Death Certificate
A death certificate is a legal document indicating the cause of death, including other vital statistics pertaining to the deceased, signed by the attending physician. Orthodox Funerals will arrange for the death certificate to be completed and mailed out to you.
Our Advice
Call Us Anytime for Guidance
There are many technicalities that may be involved when it comes to funeral planning. We, at Orthodox Funeral Services, will help every step of the way. Here is a brief discussion on who to notify upon death of your loved one.
The decision on who should be notified first depends on each circumstance of the occasion such as place of death and cause of death. If the deceased died in the hospital, it is his attending physician who should be notified first. The medical staff will take care of all the necessary arrangements which includes contacting your Funeral Director or funeral home or even arrange for an autopsy.
Notifying family, friends, and the clergy is also just as important. Generally, calling close relatives and family is an automatic instinct. They help unburden the news and they help spread it out to other members of the family so that you are not burdened with the responsibility of informing everyone.
If the deceased dies at work or at home, the first phone call is to 000. Remember that in cases of any unexpected death, calling this number is a must because death occurred without a doctor around or any medical personnel present. Calling the police helps start investigation into the cause of death. This is the time the coroner comes in to check the body and have it transported for an autopsy or a funeral home. Do remember, however, that an autopsy does not happen all the time. It is made only on a case by case basis and only if needed.
Considering all the foregoing, do not forget to call your Funeral Director in any of the cases mentioned. The staff at Orthodox Funeral Services understands every situation and will handle your case promptly and appropriately. We will assist in the transportation of the deceased’s body, collect information in preparation of the death certificate, prepare the obituary, and the like.
For more information, phone 1300 211 700 or email us on enquiries@orthodoxfunerals.com.au.
When Does a Coroner Get Involved?
The coroner is called, instead of the Funeral Director, when the deceased did not visit his doctor in the last 3 months before his death or in cases where the doctor cannot determine cause of death.
At this point, the coroner will determine the cause of death by either of two ways: contacting the last attending physician of the deceased in order to get a medical history or have a pathologist conduct an autopsy. After this is done, the coroner’s report will be forwarded to the police.
Helping You Cope
During Your Time of Grief…
We know how difficult and disorientating it can be when someone you love dies, we’re here to help. We’ll guide you through all the different things you’ll need to think about, decide and do. From what to do when someone dies, through the ceremony and on to what happens after the funeral.
How to deal with the Grieving Process
While grieving a loss is an inevitable part of life, there are ways to help cope with the pain, come to terms with your grief, and eventually, find a way to pick up the pieces and move on with your life.