What to Do When Someone Dies

Let’s be honest—nobody’s day planner has “handle a loved one’s death” penciled in. It’s one of life’s toughest moments, and it comes with a surprising amount of paperwork, phone calls, and decisions. The good news? With a little guidance, you can navigate this chapter without feeling completely overwhelmed.

Here’s a simplified guide to what to do when someone passes away—sprinkled with a few reminders that funerals don’t have to cost the earth (literally).

Step 1: The Immediate Stuff

If the death happens in a hospital or nursing home, the staff will handle the official certificate. If it happens at home, call the doctor if it was expected—or the police if it wasn’t. Not fun calls, but necessary ones. Think of this as the “red tape warm-up.”

Step 2: Organ Donation

If your loved one wanted to be an organ donor, you’ll need to give consent quickly so the hospital can move forward. It’s an extraordinary way of turning loss into life.

Step 3: Check for Prepaid Funerals or Insurance

Before you start googling “funeral costs (and crying),” check whether there’s a prepaid funeral, funeral bond, or insurance plan in place. Sometimes the heavy lifting (financially speaking) has already been done.

Step 4: Choosing a Funeral Director

No funeral director lined up? Don’t panic. There are plenty of options and we always advise people to pre-plan to avoid last minute financial shocks. The casket is one of the most expensive options behind professional service fees, so choosing a Daisybox can immediately save you a lot of money.

Don't work with any funeral home who say's "cardboard is not allowed." That's untruthful and you should simple take your business elsewhere. Thousands of Australian's opt for a Daisybox cardboard or wicker casket each year. Daisybox cardboard caskets are simple, affordable, and eco-friendly (yes, even in the afterlife you can reduce your carbon footprint).

Wicker caskets offer a natural, handcrafted look that feels more garden-party than gothic.

Step 5: Planning the Funeral Service

This is where personality shines. Do you want a traditional church service, a backyard barbecue, or something in between? Funerals today are less about rigid rules and more about celebrating life. A great funeral arranger will talk you through all the options.

Step 6: The Bills and Budget

Funerals in Australia can cost anywhere from $3,000 for a simple cremation to almost $20,000 for an elaborate service followed by graveside burial . But affordable options like cardboard and wicker caskets, direct cremations, and pared-back services are proof that love doesn’t need to come with a luxury price tag. Do your homework thoroughly.

Step 7: Notifications and Digital Life

From banks to Centrelink, there are a few official calls to make. Don’t forget to tidy up social media too—Facebook even lets you “memorialise” accounts so friends and family can share memories. Just remember to download photos first, or you’ll lose those hilarious 2009 holiday snaps forever.

Step 8: Look After Yourself

Grief doesn’t follow a neat checklist. Between calls, paperwork, and funeral planning, remember to breathe, eat something green, and maybe even laugh. Support services like GriefLine and Beyond Blue are there for when the waves of sadness feel too heavy to carry alone.

Final Thought

Saying goodbye is never easy, but it doesn’t have to be unaffordable or unfriendly to the planet. Whether it’s a Daisybox cardboard casket or a wicker one woven with care, the farewell you choose can be both meaningful and sustainable.

Because in the end, what matters most isn’t how much you spent—it’s the love, stories, and memories carried forward.