When a death occurs, there are a number of issues for you to consider.

A death from natural causes

If a person dies of natural causes at home, the first phone call should be to the doctor. He will issue the certificate to allow your funeral director to take charge of the deceased and carry out the funeral arrangements.

Should the death occur at a hospital or nursing home, then you need only to contact your funeral director for an appointment to commence funeral arrangements.

A death from non-natural causes

All accidental deaths or deaths as a result of foul play must be reported to the police who then will refer the matter to the coroner. A person who suffers an un-natural death, will be taken by the police from the place of death to the John Tonge Centre, that is the city mortuary. After the coroner's examination he will then release the deceased into the care of the funeral director of your choice so the funeral can take place.

One of the first calls should be to your funeral director.

Your funeral director's experience and assistance will take much of the burden from you at a time when you feel least like attending to details that must be taken care of.