General information from official government pages, checked 12 October 2026. Fees and rules change, usually each July. It isn't legal or financial advice: your funeral director, the registry or a lawyer can confirm what applies to you.
At a glance
| Who registers the death | Usually the funeral director, within 7 days of the burial or cremation |
|---|---|
| Registry | NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages |
| Death certificate | $70 standard, $105 priority (includes postage) |
| How long it takes | Up to 1 week if ordered with the registration |
| Coroner | For unexpected or unclear deaths. Certificates usually come within about 10 working days |
| Probate | Supreme Court of NSW. Publish a notice, wait 14 days, apply within 6 months |
| Centrelink and Medicare | Tell Services Australia within 28 days if they got a payment |
The first hours
If the death was expected, at home or in hospital or aged care, the healthcare team can tell you what happens next. It's a good time to ask about organ and tissue donation. NSW Government
A doctor completes the cause of death certificate. It's usually the doctor who was caring for the person. They don't have to have treated them, but they must examine the body. The funeral director needs this certificate. Coroners Court of NSW
If the death was unexpected, or the cause is unusual or unclear, it's referred to the coroner (below). NSW Government
Tell the closest people first, then everyone else. Our guide to telling people has wording you can copy.
If the coroner is involved
A death is reportable when, for example, it was violent or unnatural, sudden with no known cause, the result of an accident or injury, unexpected after a health procedure, or when no doctor can sign a cause of death certificate. Doctors, police and other health and emergency workers must report these deaths. Coroners Court of NSW
- In Sydney the person is taken to Forensic Medicine at Lidcombe. In regional NSW they go to the local hospital, or to Newcastle or Wollongong if a post mortem is needed.
- The senior next of kin may be asked to identify them, and a social worker usually calls within 24 hours.
- You can start funeral arrangements, but don't set a date yet: the person can't be released until the first post mortem is done. Coroners Court of NSW
- The death certificate is usually issued within about 10 working days. The Coroners Court doesn't issue it. Coroners Court of NSW
- Families can ask the coroner to hold an inquest. Coroners Court of NSW
Registering the death
The funeral director normally registers the death with the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages within 7 days of the burial or cremation, and can order the certificate at the same time. Without a funeral director, the person arranging the burial or cremation registers it. NSW Government · Service NSW
The death certificate
You'll need it for banks, super, insurance and the estate.
| How you order | Standard | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| With the registration (through the funeral director) | Up to 1 week | Not offered |
| Online | Up to 3 weeks | Up to 2 weeks |
| By post or at Service NSW | Up to 4 weeks | Up to 3 weeks |
It costs $70, or $105 for priority, both including postage. Allow 5 to 7 days for delivery on top. The person's spouse or partner, parent or child, the executor, the estate's solicitor, or the funeral director (within 30 days of registration) can apply. NSW Government
Help with funeral costs
- If there's no money for a funeral, NSW Health arranges and pays for a simple burial or cremation after a means check, when the person and their family can't pay. The local health district runs this (NSW Health Pathology for coronial deaths). NSW Health policy
- Deaths at work can be covered for funeral expenses up to $15,000, and car accident funeral costs can be claimed through CTP insurance, usually within 3 months. NSW Government
- Services Australia, the Victims Support Scheme and DVA offer other financial support. NSW Government
The will and probate
Finding the will: check their home, bank and solicitor, the Supreme Court of NSW and NSW Trustee and Guardian. NSW Trustee and Guardian can search its records for a will made in NSW (you'll need the dates of birth and death and the death certificate), NSW Government NSW Trustee and Guardian can also act as executor. NSW Government
Probate isn't needed in every case, but it is for real estate in the person's sole name, and banks may ask for it for larger accounts. The executor publishes a notice on the Supreme Court's Online Registry, waits 14 days, then applies. Apply within 6 months of the death, or explain the delay. Supreme Court of NSW
Who to tell
- Services Australia (Centrelink, Medicare, Child Support): within 28 days if they were getting a payment, by phone, at a service centre or with the Advice of death form. Services Australia
- Banks, telcos, internet and utilities: the free Australian Death Notification Service tells them all at once, and they contact you within 10 working days. NSW Government
- The ATO: online form, then confirm your identity at Australia Post within 30 days. You'll need the death certificate, or probate or the will. ATO
- Driver licence: hand it in with confirmation of the death. Any refund goes to the estate. Service NSW
- Car registration: transfer or cancel it. There's no transfer fee or stamp duty for the executor, a beneficiary, next of kin or a joint owner. NSW Government
- The electoral roll and E-Toll are on Service NSW's list too, and a JP can certify copies of documents. Service NSW
Other NSW help
Service NSW's death and bereavement guide covers the rest, and NSW has separate guidance for deaths overseas and for the loss of a baby. If there's no will, the NSW Government also runs a search for beneficiaries. NSW Government
In another state? VIC · QLD · WA · SA · TAS · ACT · NT · or the Australia-wide checklist you can tick off as you go.
One link for the service, wake and meals
While you work through this list, let a free page answer everyone else's questions: service details, RSVPs, a meal roster and updates, texted in one link.
Make a free page