What to do when someone dies in Queensland: a step-by-step guide for South Burnett families

The short answer: If the death was unexpected, call 000. If someone has died at home and the death was expected, you don't have to call anyone straight away; the Queensland Government says to let their doctor or palliative care service know within 48 hours so a cause of death certificate can be organised. If they died in hospital or aged care, the staff will start the arrangements for you. Then, when you're ready, call a funeral director. In Queensland the funeral director usually registers the death for you, and it must be registered within 14 days. (qld.gov.au)

If someone you love has just died, we're so sorry. Take a breath. Very little has to happen in the next hour. We're the Killicks, a family-run funeral home on Alford Street in Kingaroy, and we've written this the way we'd explain it to a neighbour at the kitchen table.

If you'd rather just talk to someone, ring us on 1800 607 880 or (07) 4162 5290, any hour of the day or night.

What should I do in the first few hours after someone dies?

What happens first depends on where and how your loved one died.

If they died at home and it was expected (for example, under palliative care), there's no need to rush. Sit with them, call family, make a cup of tea. Within 48 hours, let their doctor or palliative care team know, so the cause of death certificate can be arranged. (qld.gov.au)

If the death was sudden or unexpected, call 000. Police and paramedics will attend, and the death may be reported to the coroner (more on that below).

If they died in hospital or a nursing home, the staff will look after the first steps. That includes Kingaroy, Nanango, Murgon and Wondai hospitals and the Cherbourg Health Service, which are all run by Darling Downs Health. You can choose any funeral director you like. Just tell the staff you'd like Killick Family Funerals to care for your loved one, and we'll take it from there.

When is the coroner involved?

Some deaths must be reported to the coroner, such as a death that was sudden, unexpected or where the cause isn't known. When that happens, the police contact the Coroner's Office, and the coroner may need to arrange an autopsy to work out the cause of death. (qld.gov.au)

The Coroners Court of Queensland will write to the nominated family member within a few days to explain the process. Free counselling and information is available from Forensic Pathology and Coronial Family Services on 1800 449 171. (Coroners Court of Queensland)

A coronial investigation can push the funeral date back a little. We'll keep in touch with the coroner's office for you.

When should I call a funeral director?

Whenever you're ready. Some families call within minutes; others wait until morning, or until everyone has had a chance to say goodbye at home. Both are fine.

When you ring us, you'll speak to one of the Killick family, never a call centre. We can usually be with you within an hour anywhere in the South Burnett, including Kingaroy, Nanango, Murgon, Wondai, Cherbourg, Blackbutt, Yarraman and Proston. There's no extra charge for an after-hours transfer.

On that first call, we'll ask a few gentle questions. Nothing about the funeral itself has to be decided yet.

Who registers a death in Queensland?

Every death in Queensland must be registered with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) within 14 days. Usually the funeral director registers the death on the family's behalf, using BDM's service provider portal. (qld.gov.au – Register a death)

If no funeral director is involved, a spouse, partner, relative or friend can register the death themselves by post or in person at a Magistrates Court or QGAP office. Registering the death is free. Certificates cost extra. BDM offers two kinds:

• a death certificate, which shows the cause of death
• a limited death certificate, which doesn't show the cause of death and may not be accepted by some organisations.

At the time of writing, BDM charges $58.10 for each certificate, and standard applications take up to 10 business days. (qld.gov.au)

You'll need the death certificate for banks, super funds, Centrelink and the estate. When we care for your family, we register the death and order the certificate for you. It's included in our direct cremation package and listed on our price list.

What paperwork is needed for a cremation or burial?

For every funeral, a doctor needs to complete the cause of death certificate (or the coroner must release your loved one).

For a cremation, Queensland's Cremations Act 2003 requires a permission to cremate. This is issued by an independent doctor (one who didn't sign the cause of death certificate) or, if there was a coronial autopsy, by the coroner. The application usually includes a cremation risk certificate, which confirms there's nothing like a pacemaker that could be dangerous during cremation. A close relative or the executor can apply, and the Act gives a funeral director as an example of who can apply for them. (Cremations Act 2003, Queensland Legislation)

For a burial in a South Burnett Regional Council cemetery, a Burial Application must be approved by Council before the burial, and burials must be carried out by a licensed funeral director. Council manages 11 cemeteries: Blackbutt, Booie, Kumbia, Memerambi, Mondure-Wheatlands, Murgon, Nanango, Proston, Taabinga, Tingoora and Wondai. (South Burnett Regional Council cemeteries fact sheet) Cherbourg Cemetery isn't on that list; for enquiries about it, contact Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council.

We handle all of this paperwork, including the permits, medical forms and the council application.

What should I do in the first week?

Once the first day or two has passed, these things help:

• Look for their papers. The Public Trustee suggests finding the will, any pre-paid funeral paperwork, birth and marriage certificates, insurance and super details, and bank account details. (Public Trustee of Queensland)
• Contact the executor named in the will, if there is one.
• Secure the home and make arrangements for any dependants and pets.
• Tell their employer, if they were working.
• Notify organisations like banks and utilities. The Australian Death Notification Service lets you notify many organisations at once, but the death must be registered with BDM first. (qld.gov.au)
• Contact Centrelink or Veterans' Affairs if they received a payment.

How do we plan the funeral itself?

There's no right or wrong way to say goodbye. The main choices are:

• Direct cremation: simple and private, with no service. $2,950, all-inclusive.
• Cremation service: a farewell in our Alford Street chapel or a place that mattered, followed by cremation. $7,640.
• Burial service: a traditional graveside farewell, from $6,540 plus cemetery costs.
• The Gentle Way: our water cremation service, from $3,200.
• Memorial service: a celebration of life held whenever you're ready, from $6,900.

All our prices include GST, and you'll get an itemised quote in writing before anything goes ahead. If your loved one died interstate or overseas, we can also help with repatriation.

Most funerals happen within one to two weeks, but you can take the time your family needs, for example so relatives can travel home.

What help is available with funeral costs?

• Services Australia may pay a bereavement payment to a surviving partner, or to a carer, depending on your circumstances. (Services Australia)
• The CCQ Funeral Assistance Scheme may arrange a simple cremation or burial if the person died in Queensland and their estate and family can't cover the cost. Applications are automatically declined if a contract with a funeral company has already been signed, so apply first. (Coroners Court of Queensland)
• The estate, super or a pre-paid funeral often covers the cost. We also offer payment plans. See our pricing page for details.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to call someone straight away if a person dies at home?

Not if the death was expected. Queensland Health says you don't need to contact anyone immediately, but you should let their doctor or palliative care team know within 48 hours. If the death was unexpected, call 000.

How long do I have to register a death in Queensland?

A death must be registered with the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages within 14 days. The funeral director usually does this for you.

Can I choose my own funeral director if someone dies in hospital?

Yes. You're free to choose any funeral director. Tell the hospital or nursing home staff who you'd like, and the funeral director will arrange the transfer.

How much does a death certificate cost in Queensland?

At the time of writing, BDM charges $58.10 for a death certificate or a limited death certificate, and $116.20 for a package with one of each. Registering the death itself is free.

How quickly can Killick Family Funerals come?

We usually arrive within an hour anywhere in the South Burnett, day or night, and there's no extra charge for after-hours transfers.

We're here, whenever you're ready

You don't have to know what to do. That's our job. Call the Killick family on 1800 607 880 or (07) 4162 5290, any hour, or visit us at 44 Alford Street, Kingaroy. If you'd like to see prices first, everything is on our pricing page, or you can request a free written quote.

This guide is general information only, current as of November 2026. It isn't legal or medical advice. Please check the linked official sources for the latest details.

Sources

• Queensland Government, What to do after someone dies
• Queensland Government, Register a death
• Queensland Legislation, Cremations Act 2003
• Coroners Court of Queensland, For families and Funeral Assistance Scheme
• Public Trustee of Queensland, What to do when someone dies
• South Burnett Regional Council, Cemeteries fact sheet
• Services Australia, What help there is when an adult dies