What to do when someone dies in Tasmania

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

The first hours

In hospital, a nursing home or a care facility, staff help with the first arrangements. At home, call their doctor, who may visit or advise by phone. After an accident or an unexpected death, tell Tasmania Police and the doctor. Public Trustee Tasmania

The doctor lodges the medical certificate of cause of death within 48 hours, unless the death goes to the coroner. Births, Deaths and Marriages For family and friends, our guide to telling people has wording you can copy.

If the coroner is involved

Unexpected, unnatural or violent deaths, deaths from an unknown cause, and deaths where the person's identity isn't known must be reported to the coroner or police. Coroners Court of Tasmania

• The person is taken to the mortuary at the Royal Hobart or Launceston General Hospital. All autopsies are done in Hobart, usually within 48 hours (longer over weekends). Coroners Court of Tasmania
• Raise any objection to an autopsy straight away with police or the court. After hours, call police on 131 444.
• Release usually takes 2 to 4 days. Don't set a funeral date until you're told the person is ready. Coroners Court of Tasmania

Registering the death

The funeral director usually registers the death as soon as possible, using details from the next of kin, and can order the certificate at the same time. In coroner cases, the coroner supplies the information instead of a doctor. Births, Deaths and Marriages

The death certificate

A certificate costs $60.76. Priority adds $43.12, and registered post (recommended) is $7.55. Births, Deaths and Marriages

The person's parent, child or partner, the executor or administrator, or someone with power of attorney or written consent can apply, online, by post or at Service Tasmania. Standard processing is about two weeks. Priority online orders are posted the next business day. Births, Deaths and Marriages

Paying for the funeral

Banks can release money from the person's account to pay for the funeral. Check for insurance, funeral benefits or a funeral bond too. Public Trustee Tasmania If the estate can't pay and family can't afford to, the state's Essential Care Funeral Policy funds a direct committal, a cremation without a service. Coroners Court of Tasmania

The will and probate

Find the will early. The Public Trustee can hold wills, act as executor, and step in if the named executor can't or won't. Phone 1800 068 784. If there's no will, the Intestacy Act 2010 applies and someone applies for letters of administration. Public Trustee Tasmania

A grant may be needed to collect assets and share them out. The executor publishes a notice of intention to apply on the Supreme Court website, then waits at least 14 days before applying. Supreme Court of Tasmania Fees depend on the estate's value: from $548.80 under $50,000 up to $2,338.28 for $5 million or more (from 1 July 2026). Supreme Court of Tasmania Supreme Court, including probate: 1300 664 608. Supreme Court of Tasmania

Who to tell

• Services Australia (Centrelink, Medicare): within 28 days. Services Australia
• Banks, telcos and utilities: the free Australian Death Notification Service lets you choose which organisations to notify. Births, Deaths and Marriages
• The ATO: online form plus an interview at Australia Post, or the paper form. Phone 13 28 65 to pause their tax mail. ATO
• Car registration: a beneficiary may be exempt from duty. Transport Tasmania

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