Answer:

The first thing to do is call your local Doctor.
In the majority of cases where a person dies in this state a doctor will have been treating the person during life. If the doctor has seen the patient within a reasonable time and is satisfied that the cause of death is known and arises from natural causes they may complete a medical certificate of cause of death. The medical certificate will enable the body to be either buried or cremated and the death be registered with the Ministry Of Justice by the Funeral Director.

Answer:

If your loved one dies at home, you may have the opportunity of being with them. If death takes place at a hospital, you will usually be told by hospital staff and will have the opportunity of being with your loved one there. If your loved one dies suddenly in the metropolitan area they are usually taken to the State Mortuary at the QE2 (Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital). In country areas they will usually be taken to the local hospital.

Answer:

In some cases the death must be reported to the Coroner who is then required by law to inquire into the death. A death must be reported to the Coroner where:

• - The death is a result of violence
• - The death is not from natural causes
• - The cause of death is not known
• - The deceased person is a prisoner or otherwise in legal custody
• - The deceased person is an involuntary inmate in a mental institution

Funeral arrangements can be made by Classic Funerals but the funeral cannot take place until the Coroner has issued a certificate. Usually there is a delay of only twenty-four hours, although occasionally this can be longer.

Answer:

There are many types of funeral services for burials or cremations. You do not have to have a funeral straight away. You can wait a week or much longer if you need to, especially if someone close is under sedation, involved in an accident, hospitalised, overseas etc. You can request Classic Funeral directors to organise a funeral the way you want it.

Answer:

The preparation of the funeral needs involves your immediate family. The involvement of children in the funeral arrangements may answer their questions. In the event of a Coronal enquiry, identification is necessary and you may be asked to do this. You do not have to be alone, family members may accompany you. Identifications at the State Mortuary will be arranged by a Coroner’s officer. The viewing facilities are limited however and you may ask the staff to explain to you what choices you have.

Answer:

For legal reasons: You may be devastated to hear that an autopsy is necessary. However in Coroner’s cases it is a legal requirement to try to establish the cause of death.

For medical reasons: You may be asked permission to perform an autopsy to advance medical knowledge. The choice is yours. We suggest you discuss this fully with your Doctor and family.

Reports: All the information arising as part of a Coroner’s inquiry, including a full autopsy report is available to close relatives. You may ask for an appointment to discuss this information with the Coroner and the forensic pathologist or you can request it to be sent to you. This can be done months or even years later.

Answer:

If your loved one has been certified brain dead, you may be asked to donate some of their organs, so someone else’s life may continue. The question may come as a shock for when your loved one is on a machine we feel hope. This decision is not easy. Ask the Doctor to explain what is happening and why. If you are not sure ask more questions and then discuss it fully with family members.

Answer:

An application for a Certified death Certificate is automatically applied for by Classic Funerals and upon receipt is then forwarded on to the family.
A copy of this important document will be required for a variety of reasons and legal transactions. The certificate can be acquired after burial or cremation within seven working days from the funeral director or from the Registrar General.

In the event of a Coronal enquiry a complete certificate may take some months but a partial certificate can be obtained in the interim period.

Answer:

We at Classic Funerals have facilities for the family and friends to be with their loved one. Regardless of how, when or where your loved one has died you may wish to consider the following:

• - Holding them
• - Involve the children in the service
• - Having a service at home
• - Keeping hospital mementos
• - Having a lock of hair
• - Washing them
• - Dressing them
• - Having footprints and handprints made for children
• - Funeral Web casting live ‘Real Time’ from Karrakatta & Pinaroo for relatives overseas
• - Taking photographs or videos