The complete guide for next of kins after a loved one has passed.

Losing a loved one is an incredibly difficult time in our lives, and exacerbated by the immediate steps we need to take following that loss. This is a guide to help next of kins to know what steps to take after a loved one has passed away.

At Bare, we're always here for you. If you would like to learn more about our cremation and memorial services or simply want some help and guidance during this difficult time, you can give us a call on 1800 071 176. 

Bare checklist for the hospital.

If your loved one is likely to die in a hospital there are a few things to consider beforehand:

• Do you want to visit the hospital after death to say goodbye? If so, let the nursing staff know of your intentions. See how this will work with the nursing team and how they can best support you.
• Is there anything that needs to come with the body? For example, any special items, photos, letters etc. If so, please bring these in and instruct the nursing staff they are to go when we transfer.
• Is your person wearing any jewellery that you would like returned? If you are unsure, it is best to remove it remembering that cremation is such a final act.

Upon death.

Upon death your loved one’s body will be transferred to the hospital mortuary. Most hospitals take 24-48 hours to do their paperwork, so transfer is not required straight away. Therefore, take your time to process the death and contact us during business hours.

The exception to this rule is if the hospital is a small private hospital or palliative care unit with no mortuary. In these circumstances, contact us and we will organise the transfer straight away. If the nursing staff are willing to make that call on your behalf give them our number for them to call us.

When you or the nursing staff contact us, we will ask you the following questions which will assist us in organising the service:

• Your name
• Phone number
• Email address
• Relationship to the deceased
• Deceased’s full name
• Date of birth
• Date of death
• Which Hospital
• Estimate of weight

If immediate pickup is not required, you can call us during business hours and let us know that you would like to use our service. The next step will require you to complete some online paperwork before we transfer.

Completing the forms.

After the phone call, you will receive a link via email which will take you to the online forms. You must have access to a computer, as they will not work on a smartphone. You will be asked to digitally sign these forms. You can do so with your mouse or trackpad.

Once you submit the forms, they are received by us. One of the forms will be an Authority to Transfer, which we need from you to take to the hospital, so it is vital you complete the online forms in a timely manner. The balance of the forms are required for cremation and registration of death with Births, Deaths & Marriages.

Once the forms are submitted, we will contact the hospital and confirm that all their paperwork is completed. We will then transfer your person to our mortuary, where they will stay until cremation is booked.

Bare checklist for a nursing home.

Before the passing of your loved one:

• Give our number 1800 071 176 to the nursing staff confirming that you would like to use Bare as your funeral director.
• What are your expectations of the nursing home staff on the death of your loved one? If you wish to see your loved one after death ensure that you let the nursing staff know of your intentions. If you want the staff at the home to wash and dress your loved one, have a conversation with the staff about what your expectations are.
• Is there anything that needs to come with the body? For example, a special item, photos, letters etc. Have them ready and instruct the nursing staff that these are to go when we transfer.
• Is your person wearing any jewellery that you would like returned? If you are unsure, it is best to remove it remembering that cremation is such a final act.
• Ensure the nursing home staff have the correct and up to date next of kin name and number for your loved one. We will be gathering this information from them when they call us.

Upon death.

Either the family or the nursing team can call us. However, it is best for the nursing team to call as we need to confirm with them that they have the correct medical documents (before we are legally able to collect your loved one). We will then arrange the transfer and we will give the nursing staff an estimated time of our arrival.

Whether we speak to the family or the nursing staff we will need to obtain the following information for us to arrange the transfer:

• Your loved one’s full name
• Date of birth
• Date of death
• Address of nursing home
• Instructions for transfer
• Weight
• Name and contact number of medical practitioner 
• Next of kin’s name
• Phone number
• We will also ask if the family is present and whether they wish to stay for the transfer

If we are called outside of business hours, there is no extra fee involved. When the nursing home calls us after hours to arrange a transfer, we will get the next of kin details from them and call you the next day to go through the next steps.

We will transfer your loved one to our mortuary where they will stay with us until cremation is booked.

Bare checklist for private residence.

If your person is intending to pass at home, please know that upon death there is no emergency. Take your time, be with family and breathe. We will do all we can to assist you and your family and look after your beloved.

Prior to calling us you must have had your medical team come to the home to verify the death. We cannot arrange transfer until we have confirmation of medical paperwork being completed to verify someone’s passing.

Your needs:

What is best to suit you and your family at the time? Things to consider are:

• How long would you prefer your loved one’s body to be at home after death? Do you need to arrange a quick transfer or would you like some time with them before we come? Home vigils can be beautiful and cathartic acts of love after someone’s passing. We can give you guidance around how to do a vigil if you need.
• Are there other members of the family that will want to come and say goodbye after passing and if so, will they be having to travel far?
• Is there something that you would like to be cremated with your person? Photos, teddy bears, a special blanket etc? Have those ready for us to take on collection.
• Is there jewellery on your person that you would like returned?
• Is there a special outfit that you would like them dressed in? Usually, the palliative care team can help you with this so have this conversation with them ahead of time so they are prepared and ready to help you on the day.
• Work out with your palliative care team what their process is. For instance, do they have one of their team come after hours or will they be coming the next morning? When you have these conversations, be very clear with them about your needs so that they can best support you.

Upon death.

When you are ready for us to transfer and you have the completed medical paperwork from your medical team, call us. We will need the following information to arrange the transfer:

• Deceased’s full name 
• Name and contact number of medical practitioner
• Date of birth 
• Address and instructions for transfer (i.e are there stairs, is it easy access?) If we are called outside of business hours, there is no extra fee involved.
• Date of death 
• Weight

Bare checklist for the coroner.

If your person has been taken to the coroner, please call us during business hours. Although the coroner may take a number of days before they allow us to collect your loved one, you do not need to wait until that time to reach out. Call us as soon as you are ready so we can register ourselves as your funeral director with the coroner in good time.

We will then liaise with the coroner and receive instruction from them when we are allowed to bring your loved one into our care.

In the phone call we will ask you:

• Deceased’s full name
• Date of birth
• Date of death
• The coroner case number for your loved one
• Who the next of kin registered with the coroner is
• Which hospital or coroners’ facility they are at

At Bare, we’re here to help. If you ever just need to talk, or you don’t know where to start, feel free to give our incredibly friendly team a call on 1800 071 176. We are available 24/7 to help you through this difficult time.