Funeral Paperwork in Australia: The Documents You Need After Someone Dies (2025 Guide)

📝 FuneralSmart – Smarter Choices. Peace of Mind. Powered by eziFunerals

🕯 Why Funeral Paperwork Matters

When someone dies, emotions take over — but the legal system still requires a series of documents to register the death, organise cremation or burial, handle the estate, and access financial support.

Missing even one form can delay the funeral, slow down superannuation claims, or prevent access to government assistance.

This guide from FuneralSmart — powered by eziFunerals — breaks down every document you need, who completes it, and the order it must be done in.

🧾 1. Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD)

This is usually the first official document issued after a death.

✔ Who issues it?

• A GP
• Hospital doctor
• Palliative care physician

✔ What it’s used for:

• Transfer to a funeral director
• Initial funeral arrangements
• Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages (BDM) application

Important:

You cannot cremate, bury, or register the death without this certificate.

🏛 2. Death Registration (State Requirement)

Every death in Australia must be registered with your state or territory’s Births, Deaths & Marriages registry.

Who handles this?

Usually the funeral director, but families may apply directly.

What BDM issues:

• The Official Death Certificate (required for banks, super, insurance, wills, etc.)

🔗 Learn more: Funeral Directors & the Law in Australia

🔥 3. Cremation Forms & Permits (If Cremation Is Chosen)

Cremation has extra legal requirements in every state.

Most states require:

✔ Cremation Certificate / Form 1

Completed by a doctor confirming the cause of death.

✔ Cremation Permit / Form 4

Issued by an independent medical referee or coroner.

✔ Identification & authorisation form

Signed by the next of kin.

The funeral director normally handles this, but YOU should review the documents before signing.

For detailed state-by-state rules:

🔗 Permits to Cremate in Australia – eziFunerals Guide

🪦 4. Burial Certificates & Cemetery Forms (If Burial Is Chosen)

If the family chooses burial, additional paperwork includes:

• Burial plot licence or deed
• Interment authorisation
• Cemetery application forms
• Grave digging order

These vary by cemetery and are coordinated by your funeral director.

💸 5. Superannuation & Insurance Claims

To release funds, you’ll need:

For Super Death Benefit:

• Death certificate
• Member number
• Binding nomination (if existing)
• Application form

For Funeral Insurance:

• Policy number
• Proof of identity
• Funeral invoice
• Death certificate

Check for lost policies at:

🔗 Find Lost Funeral Insurance Policies

💰 6. Government Support Paperwork

If the deceased or family received Centrelink benefits, you may be eligible for:

✔ Bereavement Payment

✔ Carer/Bereavement Allowance

✔ Parenting Payment Bereavement

✔ State/Territory Funeral Assistance

You will need:

• CRN numbers
• Proof of identity
• Funeral invoice
• Death certificate

Full guide:

🔗 Funeral Assistance Australia

🧭 7. Executor & Estate Paperwork

If the deceased had a Will, the executor must handle:

• Probate application
• Notice to credit providers
• Superannuation claims
• Bank account closure
• Property transfers
• Assets disposal
• Tax returns

You can speed up estate processes by securing the official Death Certificate early.

🗂 8. Optional Documents (But Highly Recommended)

Advance Health Directive / Living Will

Helps prevent family conflict if future decisions arise.

Funeral Plan or Prepaid Contract

If the deceased had a prepaid arrangement, this contract outlines their wishes and what has already been paid for.

Check for missing plans here:

🔗 Find Lost or Missing Prepaid Funeral Plans

🧠 Summary Checklist: Documents Needed After a Death

Required Immediately:

✔ Medical Certificate of Cause of Death

✔ Cremation/Burial Authorisation

✔ Transfer documentation

Within 24–72 hours:

✔ Cremation permits (if applicable)

✔ Death registration forms

✔ Funeral director contract

Within 1–4 weeks:

✔ Official Death Certificate

✔ Government claims

✔ Insurance or super paperwork

Within 30–90 days:

✔ Probate application

✔ Estate management

✔ Bank and super notifications

🧭 The Smart Way to Handle Funeral Paperwork

1. Compare funeral directors:
   👉 https://funeralsmart.com.au/compare-funeral-costs/
2. Use the eziFunerals legal guides for documentation:
   👉 https://ezifunerals.com.au/funeral-directors-and-the-law-in-australia/
3. Apply for government financial support early:
   👉 https://ezifunerals.com.au/funeral-assistance-australia/
4. Record all documents in a single folder or online vault
5. Don’t sign anything without understanding the inclusions

🧠 Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Who handles death registration?

Normally the funeral director — but families can apply directly via BDM.

Q2: Can the funeral occur before paperwork is complete?

Burials: usually yes.

Cremations: never — all permits must be approved first.

Q3: Are cremation permits the same in every state?

No — each state has unique forms.

See: https://ezifunerals.com.au/permits-to-cremate-in-australia/

Q4: How long does it take to get the official Death Certificate?

1–4 weeks, depending on your state.

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