What is a death certificate and how do I apply for one?

Bare offers a simple and affordable cremation option without compromising on the level of service. Click here to see the price for your area.

When a person has died, their passing needs to be registered with the office of Births Deaths and Marriages in the relevant state or territory.

Once the death has been registered, the state authority will issue the official death certificate.

Each Australian state and territory has its own guidelines that instructs the next of kin on how to register a death, however you wouldn't usually need to apply for one yourself. Your funeral director or arranger will generally organise this for you.

As part of our arrangement service at Bare, we register all deaths through the office of Births Deaths and Marriages in the relevant state or territory. Then we obtain the death certificate on behalf of the family or next of kin and send it to them.

Why do I need a death certificate?

When someone dies in Australia, it is a requirement that death is registered with the office of Births Deaths and Marriages. There’s also some paperwork required before the cremation or funeral can take place.

In addition, the next of kin or executor of a Will needs a death certificate before part of the estate administration process, including administration of the Will (if one exists) and distribution of assets to beneficiaries.

You’ll usually also need the document to cancel bills, bank accounts, utilities and administer other parts of the estate.

How and when do I receive a death certificate?

If you have arranged the cremation through Bare, we will mail the death certificate to you via Express Post. You can read our article ‘Who can certify a Will or Death Certificate’ here.

We advise families to allow about four weeks from the date of cremation for the death certificate to arrive. At times it can take longer if there is a delay in processing by the office of Birth Deaths and Marriages. There can also be a delay if the Coroner is involved, while the cause of death is determined.

Bare offers simple and affordable prepaid and immediate-need cremations. To find out more, visit the Bare website here, or call us on 1800 071 176. You can get a quote and cost breakdown for your location by entering your postcode on our website by clicking here.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute professional advice. Please consult a qualified expert for guidance specific to your situation.