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Death

Can my loved one stay at home?

Yes. In most cases your person can stay at home after they die. You have time.

You might want to sit with them, have family and friends drop in, or help wash and dress them. While there’s no set time limit, keeping someone at home for three to five days isn’t unusual. A cooling plate keeps your person cool while you have that time together, and we can set one up for you.

Even if your person is in hospital or a funeral home, you have the right to bring them home for a vigil before the burial or cremation. If the coroner is involved there are extra steps, but that doesn’t necessarily rule it out.

Get in touch and we’ll help you work out what’s possible for you.

What happens when someone dies at home?

It depends on whether the death was expected.

If it was expected, for example someone receiving palliative care, it isn’t an emergency. You don’t need to call an ambulance, and there’s no rush. It can wait until the morning to call your palliative nurse or GP. If you do call 000, let them know the death was expected and there’s no need for lights and sirens.

If it was unexpected, call 000. The ambulance (and often police) will attend and complete a Life Extinct form, and they’ll decide whether the death needs to be reported to the Coroner. Make sure the original Life Extinct form stays with your person.

Either way, you don’t have to work it all out on your own. Give us a call and we’ll talk you through it.

For the full step-by-step, see What happens when someone dies in Queensland. If you’d like your person to stay at home for a while, see Can my loved one stay at home.

What happens if someone dies at home in my area?

It depends on whether the death was expected.

If it was expected, it isn’t an emergency. There’s no rush, and it can usually wait until the morning to call the palliative nurse or GP. If it was unexpected, call 000. Police may attend and the Coroner may need to be involved.

Either way, give us a call and we’ll talk you through what happens next.

  • What happens when someone dies