What to do when someone dies in WA

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

If someone dies at home and it was expected, call their doctor or another doctor who can certify the death, then a funeral director. WA Government

If the death was unexpected, unclear or suspicious, or they had no regular doctor, the police must be called.

In a hospital, hospice or care home, staff tell the family. Call a funeral director quickly: by law, the facility has to move the person straight away. WA Government

The doctor issues the medical certificate of cause of death within 48 hours, and it goes to the funeral director. WA Government For family and friends, our guide to telling people has wording you can copy.

If the coroner is involved

Deaths are reported to the coroner when they're unexpected or unnatural, the cause is unknown, they happen during or because of an anaesthetic, the person was held in care, police caused or contributed to the death, or the person's identity is unknown. WA Government

• The senior next of kin may be asked to identify the person. They can object to a post mortem unless the coroner orders one straight away, and are usually given at least 24 hours to do so.
• Post mortems aren't done on weekends or public holidays.
• The death is still registered, as “incomplete” with no cause, and an incomplete certificate can be issued. A complete one follows once the coroner tells the Registry.
• State Coroner's Office 08 9425 2900. Police Coronial Investigation Unit after hours 08 9267 5700.

Registering the death

The funeral director usually notifies the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages within 14 days of the funeral service. WA Government

The death certificate

A certified death certificate costs $60. Priority service is $44 on top, processed within 24 hours and sent by express post. Standard takes up to 2 working days plus regular post. WA Government · Form BDM2

The person's spouse or de facto partner, parent or child can apply, with evidence of the relationship and three ID documents. Anyone else needs written consent from one of them. Apply online, in person at the Perth Registry or a listed court, or by post. Email and fax aren't accepted. WA Government · Form BDM2 Fees can be waived for eligible people. WA Government

Help with funeral costs

The Bereavement Assistance Program helps when the estate can't pay for a funeral. It pays for a basic funeral through a contracted funeral director. Cremation generally isn't funded. A partner and adult children are income and asset tested, and the family still contributes something. Phone 1800 854 925. Department of Communities

WA also has an Aboriginal Mediation Service for disagreements about burial. WA Government

The will and probate

Finding the will: ask their lawyer first. It may also be in the WA Will Bank at the Public Trustee: send their form with ID, and it takes about 2 business days. WA Government

Which grant: probate when the will names an executor, letters of administration with the will annexed when it doesn't (or the executor can't act), and letters of administration when there's no valid will. Banks, Landgate and share registries often ask for a copy of the grant. Supreme Court of WA

The filing fee is $418 from 1 July 2026, and you can prepare the application with the court's online Probate Wizard. You'll need the original death certificate and the will. Supreme Court of WA · Before applying

The Public Trustee can act as executor, or as administrator when there's no will. An uncomplicated estate generally takes 12 to 15 months. Small estates can sometimes be handled informally, for example with a bank paying funeral costs from a small account. Phone 1300 746 116. WA Government

Who to tell

• Services Australia (Centrelink, Medicare, Child Support): within 28 days if they got a payment, using the Advice of death form, by phone or at a service centre. Services Australia
• Banks, telcos and utilities: once the death is registered, the free Australian Death Notification Service contacts several organisations at once. Services Australia
• The ATO: online form plus an interview at Australia Post, or the paper form. If a grant is coming, wait for it before sending the form. ATO
• Driver licence: the Registry tells the Department of Transport, so their mail stops. You can hand in the card at a licensing centre. Department of Transport
• Car transfer: can't be done online. Use form E172 with the death certificate and the will or grant. A transfer fee applies, and only nominal duty for a beneficiary. Department of Transport
• WA electoral roll: updated automatically through the Registry, though you can tell the WA Electoral Commission earlier. WA Electoral Commission

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