When Someone Dies
Take Your Time
If your loved one’s death was somewhat expected, it can still come as a shock. Even when you’ve had time to prepare, the reality of loss can feel overwhelming.
You don’t need to do anything immediately. There is space to slow things down and allow yourself, and those around you, to process what’s happened.
Let things unfold gently.
There will be time to make decisions.
If the Death Occurs in a Public Care Facility
If your loved one dies in a hospital, rest home, hospice or any other care facility, the staff will support you by managing the necessary medical documentation and formalities.
When you feel ready, you’ll need to contact the funeral provider of your choice. They will arrange to transfer your loved one into their care and begin the process of making further arrangements.
If a Loved One Has Died at Home
Contact the Doctor
Call your loved one’s usual doctor or palliative care team to confirm and certify the death, they will need to know if your loved one is to be buried or cremated, additional paperwork is required for cremation. This is a necessary legal step before any further arrangements can be made.
Contact a Funeral Director
Reach out to the funeral home of your choice when you feel ready. They will gently guide you through the next step, starting with arranging the transfer of your loved one into their care.
Notify Family & Support Services
Let close family, friends, and any palliative or home care teams involved know about the death. These people may be able to offer emotional and practical support during this time.
The First Steps At Home
If you feel comfortable doing so, there are a few gentle things you may wish to do soon after death.
You can gently place a rolled hand towel or similar item beneath your loved one’s chin to provide support and help keep it in a natural position.
You may also wish to softly close their eyes if they are open. Please know that their eyes may naturally open again, and this is completely normal.
As the body naturally begins to dehydrate after death, the eyelids can gradually change position.
Keeping the room as cool as reasonably possible is particularly helpful and especially if your loved one is being cared for naturally, without embalming.
Cooling the space helps to slow the natural processes that take place in the body following death and can help maintain their appearance and condition.
The suggestions are simply some actions you may choose to do for your loved one in the immediate period following death, but only if you feel comfortable doing so.
There is no expectation that you need to undertake any of these steps.
Our caring and professional team will attend to these matters once your loved one is in our care.
If the Death Was Sudden, Unexpected or Accidental
In the case of a sudden, accidental, or unexplained death, the Police must be contacted.
When a death is not expected and no obvious natural causes are present, it may be referred to the coroner for investigation.
In these situations, a trusted local funeral home is contracted by the Police to transport the deceased into care, on behalf of the coroner. It is the coroner’s office duty to remain in contact with the next of kin and keep them informed with steps being taken.
Wairarapa Funeral Services are responsible for the Northern Wairarapa region.
For more detailed information, please follow the link below:
https://coronerscourt.govt.nz/information-for-families/first-stages-of-the-coronial-process/
Please Note: You are not obligated to use the funeral provider who initially transported the deceased.
You are free to choose the funeral home that best meets your family’s needs.
Pregnancy and Baby Loss
Legal requirements by stage
- Miscarriage (under 20 weeks and under 400g): No legal requirement to register or hold a burial/cremation.
- Stillbirth (20+ weeks or 400g+): Must register the birth within 2 months; no death registration needed; burial or cremation is mandatory.
- Neonatal Death (lived from birth up to 28 days): Must register both the birth and the death, and arrange a burial or cremation.
Sands New Zealand is a voluntary network of parent-run, non-profit groups offering understanding and support for those dealing with pregnancy, baby and infant loss.