Cart
Liz Gridley - 'What Is the First Thing You Do When Someone Dies?' - oil on aluminium
What Is the First Thing You Do When Someone Dies?
Oil on aluminium by Liz Gridley.
Painting size: 25 x 20.2 cm (9.8" x 8")
Frame size: 27.8 x 23 cm (10.9" x 9.1")
Put on the kettle…
(well that's the best answer I’ve found so far)
“Everyone has different feelings about sitting with the deceased. The best thing a family can do in the moments after their loved one passes is to simply sit and breathe, as there is no rush.” - Alluvium Water Cremations
This information has been provided by Hayley West of The Departure.
If the death is expected, a Medical Certificate Cause of Death is required by a doctor known to the deceased so the body can be released (a doctor should attend within 48 hours). If the death is unexpected, you need to follow the procedure through the Coroners Court of Victoria. (By calling the police with 000)
Check for organ donation registration. If the deceased was registered as an organ donor, they will need to have died in a hospital and be on life support. Other donations such as eye and tissue donation can occur up to 24 hours after death, it is preferred that the deceased died in hospital for this to occur. The body can be released and taken home after these procedures.
Embalming is not compulsory after death.
The deceased can stay at home for any amount of time; however 3-4 days is usually enough. Consider the travel time required for those attending a vigil, and the weather conditions at time of death (decomposition can happen quickly in warmer temperatures). The body can be cooled with ice, cool packs or a cooling plate(available for hire).
In Victoria there is no requirement to engage a funeral home at any stage. However, all the paperwork must be completed and submitted before body disposal. There are various forms to submit to Births, Deaths & Marriages and to present to cemeteries and crematoriums.
The deceased can be transported in your own vehicle to the cemetery or the crematorium, you need to have finalised the relevant paperwork before transportation. -AHFA