The first month

The official death certificate is issued by the Births, Deaths and Marriages registry in your state. It usually takes 4–6 weeks to arrive. The funeral director normally lodges the application for you.

You will need certified copies of the death certificate to deal with banks, super, insurance and government agencies. Order extras up front — most families need 5–10 copies.

Wills are often held by a solicitor, the Public Trustee, or in a home safe. Ask family and ring local solicitors if needed.

Probate is the legal process of confirming the executor of the will and giving them authority to manage the estate. Not every estate needs probate — small estates often don't.

• Check with the deceased's bank — they can tell you if probate is required
• A solicitor can apply for probate on your behalf — or you can apply yourself through the Supreme Court in your state or territory
• Or you can do it yourself through the Supreme Court of your state
• It often takes 4–8 weeks

You can notify Centrelink and Medicare in one phone call to Services Australia. There is a Bereavement Payment for some carers and partners — ask about it on the call.

There is a phone script for this in Phone Scripts.

Banks have a dedicated bereavement team — you do not need to go to a branch. They will freeze accounts, talk you through what they need, and may release funds for funeral costs from the deceased's account.

Super does not automatically form part of the estate. Each fund decides who receives the death benefit, often based on a binding nomination the deceased made. Contact each fund — most have a bereavement team.

There may also be life insurance attached to a super account that you didn't know about. Ask.

A final tax return needs to be lodged for the deceased. The executor (or you, with help from an accountant) can do this. It does not have to happen immediately.

Each utility (power, gas, water, internet, phone) needs to be notified. They will close the account or transfer it to a remaining occupant. Bring or send a copy of the death certificate.

Don't forget streaming services, gym memberships, newspapers and magazine subscriptions.

You can apply for a deceased estate mail redirection through Australia Post — this stops mail going to the deceased's address and instead sends it to the executor.

If they rented, the landlord needs to know — the tenancy doesn't end automatically and rent may still be due until it's sorted. If they owned with a mortgage, call the bank. You don't need to make any decisions yet, just let them know. They'll tell you what happens next.

Cancel their driver's licence and notify your state's transport authority. You don't need to contact the Australian Electoral Commission — the births, deaths and marriages registry tells them, and the enrolment is removed for you. Vehicles can be transferred to the new owner.

In Australia, all employees are entitled to 2 days of paid compassionate leave per occasion. Casuals are entitled to 2 days of unpaid compassionate leave per occasion. Many employers offer more. Ask HR — and ask about flexible return-to-work options.

You don't have to read it now. But when the paperwork eases and the quiet sets in, the Grief Hub has gentle words for getting through the months ahead.