Authority to Release Deceased Body
What Is It?
An Authority to Release Deceased Body is a document we provide to a Queensland hospital or other medical or care facility to confirm that the person with authority to do so has authorised Rest Funeral Services to take the deceased into our care.
It gives the facility written authority to release the deceased body to us so that we can carry out the agreed funeral arrangements.
Who Can Sign It?
The person signing the authority must have the appropriate authority to authorise release of the deceased. Page 2 of the current form explains the order of priority, including the deceased’s surviving spouse or partner, children, other relatives in the stated order, or a Personal Representative such as an executor or administrator of the estate.
Why Is It Important?
Queensland does not require a person to engage a funeral service provider to carry out collection, transfer or storage of a deceased person. The Authority to Release provides the hospital or facility with clear written evidence that the person with authority has asked us to take the deceased into our care.
Crew Notes
- Complete the authority with the deceased’s details and the person signing it.
- Make sure the person signing has the appropriate authority.
- The Name of Facility is completed for the facility receiving the authority.
- The section marked TO BE LEFT BLANK is for the facility.
- Provide the completed authority to the hospital or facility before collection, where required.