The First Steps: Who do I call First; How to Prepare for Meeting the Funeral Director (2025 Guide)
When someone you love passes away, it can be an overwhelming and deeply emotional time. Knowing what to do and who to contact in the first hours can help bring clarity and reassurance during a difficult moment. This guide explains what happens in Western Australia, who to notify, the legal requirements, and how Mayfair Funeral Directors Perth supports families through funeral services in Perth from the very first call. Whether your loved one passes away at home, in hospital, in residential aged care or unexpectedly, this information is here to help you and your family.
Who to Call First When Someone Dies in Perth
If your loved one passes away at home or in any location unexpectedly, call 000 immediately and follow their instructions. If your loved one passes away at home under the care of a palliative care team, contact the palliative care service as soon as possible.
Confirming a Death in Western Australia
In Western Australia, a death must be confirmed by a qualified professional before arranging a funeral can begin. If the passing occurs in a hospital, nursing or medical staff will confirm the death and complete the required documentation. If the passing occurs in residential aged care, the registered nurse or on call doctor will attend, confirm the death and prepare the necessary paperwork.
If the passing occurs at home under palliative care, a general practitioner, authorised medical practitioner or palliative care nurse must attend to formally confirm the death. If the passing is unexpected, police may attend and the Coroner may become involved depending on the circumstances.
Contacting a Funeral Director in Perth
Once the death has been confirmed and documentation completed, you may contact your chosen funeral director. Mayfair Funeral Directors Perth is available twenty four hours a day. When you call, we provide calm guidance, answer your immediate questions, explain what happens next and support families through funeral services in Perth, coordinating with hospitals, aged care facilities or the Coroner on your behalf.
Transfer of Your Loved One Into Funeral Care
The timing of the transfer depends on where your loved one has passed away. If your loved one passes away at home under palliative care, in residential aged care or in a hospital without post death care facilities, we will bring your loved one into our care within two hours or at a time that suits your family. If your loved one is in a hospital with appropriate facilities or in the care of the Coroner, we attend as soon as authorisation is granted.
Once your loved one is in our care, families may begin considering cremation services in Perth or burial services in Perth, depending on personal wishes, family traditions and individual circumstances.
Preparing for the Funeral Arrangement Meeting
When you feel ready, we will arrange a private meeting at our Mayfair office in Embleton. During this meeting, we guide you through cremation services in Perth or burial services in Perth, venue options, coffins and caskets, floral arrangements, multimedia tributes, personal touches, viewing and mortuary care, paperwork and statutory forms, along with a clear explanation of costs and inclusions.
How to Prepare for Your Initial Funeral Meeting
Before your meeting, it may help to discuss certain decisions with family members. Your funeral director will make all required bookings based on your choices.
- Consider if you plan to have a service or a direct cremation only (with no family present), then if it is your wish to have a funeral service with attendees, what is the preferred service location and suitable days and times for your family.
- Discuss limousine options for family members - Mayfair provide a complimentary limousine for all funeral services at no charge.
- Decide whether family wish to pallbearer / escort the coffin into the chapel, or if you would like our funeral home staff to pre-place your loved one within the chapel.
- Decide whether a celebrant or religious officiant will lead the service.
- Discuss whether you wish to have a viewing.
- If no viewing is planned, decide whether your loved one should remain at peace or be gently washed and dressed by our care team.
- Consider music, memorial stationery, live streaming and photographic presentations.
- Begin selecting images for the photographic tribute - Mayfair will create the photo tribute.
- Choose a preferred image for chapel display and printed memorials.
- Discuss who may share the eulogy, tributes or readings.
- Consider memorial displays of personal items.
- Confirm coffin and flower selections as these are included at no charge with Mayfair Funerals.
Clothing for Viewing or Dressing
If you wish to have a viewing or would like your loved one to be washed and dressed, you may bring clothing to your meeting. Clothing does not need to be formal and may include familiar or comfortable items. Underwear and footwear may also be provided if desired. Your funeral director will guide you if you have any questions.
Legal and Administrative Requirements in Western Australia
Mayfair Funeral Directors assists with the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, cremation permits where required, burial orders, death registration with Births Deaths and Marriages Western Australia, and guidance regarding death certificates.
Cremation and Burial Options in Perth
Cremation options include unattended cremation, premium unattended cremation, intimate cremation and full chapel cremation services. Burial options include graveside burial, dual location services, mausoleum burial and natural burial.
Cultural Personal and Religious Considerations
We respectfully accommodate cultural, personal and religious traditions and guide families through any specific requirements.
Aftercare Support and Next Steps
We continue to support families after the funeral by assisting with memorial options, documentation and access to bereavement support resources.
When a Death Is Investigated by the Coroner
In some circumstances, a death must be reported to the Coroner such as when the cause of death is unclear or sudden. During this time, your loved one remains in coronial care until examinations are complete.
A post mortem may be required, and this process can take time. Once completed, the Coroner will formally release your loved one into the care of Mayfair Funeral Directors Perth.
Funeral Planning During Coronial Care
Families can begin funeral planning while the Coroner’s investigation is underway. Mayfair will assist with decisions regarding cremation or burial, prepare paperwork, maintain communication with the Coroner’s Office and monitor release status.
Setting the Funeral Date
A funeral date may not be confirmed immediately. A provisional date is often planned in advance, typically two to three weeks after the passing, and confirmed once release timeframes are clearer.
How Mayfair Funeral Directors Perth Supports Families
Mayfair Funeral Directors Perth provides compassionate guidance from the first phone call through to aftercare. We ensure your loved one is treated with dignity at every stage and that your family receives clear, gentle support throughout the entire process.
