Dying at home
When a natural death occurs at home, the first thing you need to do is contact either an ambulance or the treating Doctor. Once medical assistance has been sought, you should then contact Good Samaritan Funerals on 0451 956 002 - we are available to assist 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Good Samaritan Funerals are able to transfer your loved one into our care only with the permission of someone with the authority to sign a Medical Death Certificate or Life Extinct form.
In a sudden or unexpected death or when the Doctor is unwilling to sign a Medical Death Certificate, the Police must be called and they will then notify the Coroner's office. If you're loved one is transferred to the Coroner's office, this may mean there will need to be a post mortem examination. Good Samaritan Funerals will apply for a release of your loved one on your behalf from the Coroner's office and will transfer your loved one into our care, as soon as possible.
Dying at the Hospital, Hospice or Nursing Home
The Hospital, Hospice or Nursing Home staff will arrange the transfer of your loved one into our care or into the care of their mortuary. The hospital staff will notify the Doctor to complete a Medical Death Certificate.
If the family nominated funeral director is Good Samaritan Funerals the staff will notify us of the passing and we will transfer your loved one into our care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Calling the funeral director
The death of a loved one requires a host of tasks to be co-ordinated in a short space of time and, understandably, this can be overwhelming for family and friends who are grieving the loss of some-one special.
The funeral director's role is to give practical help, support and guidance with all aspects of the funeral arrangements, and even if you are planning on having the funeral a week or more after passing, the initial call to the funeral director should not be postponed. Michael O'Brien can be contacted on 0451 956 002, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
We believe speaking to the funeral director can be a comforting experience during this difficult time. Being able to leave the formal arrangements in the hands of a trained professional can be a welcome relief for people in the initial stages of bereavement, it will also ensure that that all tasks are carried out completely and according to your wishes.
An initial meeting is held to discuss arrangements for the funeral, where your funeral director will help you plan events over the following days. In addition to answering any questions you may have, your funeral director will also listen to your suggestions and detail the available options. While your funeral director may make suggestions, decisions will only be made in line with the families' wishes or, more specifically, the wishes of the executor of the will.
It is very important that you do not advise family and friends of the funeral date/time until you have confirmed this with the funeral director.
Funeral Costs
At Good Samaritan Funerals, we will always provide you with a written estimate of costs prior to the conduct of the funeral.
These costs will fall into two categories:
- Funeral director’s costs
- Disbursements (at cost and inclusive of GST)
For a full list of our Funeral Costs - Please Click Here
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Flowers
By arrangement with Good Samaritan Funerals.
Repatriation
Sometimes a death can happen overseas or in another state.
If this occurs please contact Good Samaritan Funerals immediately and we will make all the necessary arrangements for the repatriation of the deceased into our care.