When Death Occurs

When someone dies there are many decisions and arrangements to be made. Unfortunately these often have to be made at a time of personal distress.

Not all of the points on this list will apply to your particular situation, but many will.  If your  loved oneleft specific instructions regarding preferences for funeral and burial arrangements, with a list of people to be notified, your job is that much easier. If not, you’ll need to consult other family members and look for address or phonebooks that can help you with your task.

First things First. 

• Contact the next of kin, especially those abroad who may have to book flights.
• If a doctor is not present, contact the doctor in order to obtain a death certificate. The doctor will decide if a coroner needs to be called. In the case of sudden or unusual death, do not move anything until an official pronouncement of death has been made by the doctor.
• If the deceased held an organ donor card, inform the doctor of this immediately.
• If your loved one wised to donate their body for research or to the Brain Bank inform the doctor immediately, you may have to make contact with the relevant agency.
• Locate the person's burial instructions and last wishes, if these exist.
• If the death occurs at home, you may also need to contact a member of the Garda Síochána. They will decide if a coroner needs to be called.
• If your loved one has asked to be cremated there are six crematoria(that is, six separate crematoriums) in Ireland, four of which are located in Dublin, one in Cork and one in Cavan. Access to these cremation facilities is not, however, restricted to people living in Dublin, Cork or Cavan.
• Notify others of the death; close friends, relatives, neighbours, employer and work colleagues.

Others to notify in the days following the death include:

• state authorities e.g. if your loved one was in receipt of a pension or other form of social security payment or health service  

• insurance agencies and financial institutions 

• the deceased’s solicitor 

Most people in Ireland contact a funeral director for help with funeral arrangements.

If it was the deceased’s wishes to be buried, find out if a burial plot exists and determine its exact location. If you are using a local funeral director, they may help you with this.

• Agree the following with the family: 
• will there be a wake? If yes, where will this be held? 
• will the body be on view (open or closed coffin)? 
• are mourners welcome or is it “house private”, for family only (mention in death notice) 
• location, date and time for the services 
• content for the death notice 
• decide on coffin, casket or pod (for a burial) 
• determine if you want ashes scattered or in a container (for a cremation) 
• do you want flowers or charitable donations (mention in death notice)   
• decide on prayers, readings, offerings, music and structure of the service 
• decide on who should be involved in the service and remember to ask them in good time 
• make provision for refreshments after the service. Book the venue and arrange caterers.

You may need to cancel some, or all, of the following: 

•  standing orders 
•  newspapers & other journal subscriptions 
•  milk deliveries  
•  coal deliveries  
•  telephone and broadband internet connection 
•  mobile phone  
•  bin collection 
•  rent  
•  TV & radio licence  
•  postal services (or have them re-directed)

If it was the deceased’s wishes to have a natural or woodland burial, then you will need to contact the appropriate organisation, such as Knockma Woodland Burials. 



If your loved one was religious, call the appropriate religious leader for guidance. 



If your loved one wanted a non-religious ceremony, call the Humanist Association of Ireland for guidance.

Arrange for someone trustworthy to look after the house while you and the family attend the funeral. This is an important measure, to guard against burglary.

Avail of help that others may offer in sincerity and remember to keep a note of who to thank.

Jobs that may need to be done include:

• Cleaning the house
• Looking after the children
• Looking after an elderly person
• Watering plants at the deceased's home
• Taking care of the deceased’s pet

Documents to locate (or order):

• death certificate – get this from the attending doctor
• any documents about prepaid funeral arrangements, burial plots or burial wishes
• wills
• trusts
• life insurance policies
• pension-retirement benefits and plans
•  investment accounts
• business and partnership arrangements
• credit-card statements
• bank statements
• cheque books
• other evidence of assets and liabilities
• marriage and birth certificates
• nuptial agreements
• divorce documentation
• notes receivable
• documents of business ownership or business interest
• stocks, shares, bonds, annuities
• any title deeds for assets, such as land, vehicles or houses
• any leases
• health insurance (to claim for the deceased's final illness)
• any unpaid bills, notes payable or creditors
• safe deposit agreements and keys
• last tax returns

Make an inventory of household goods, personal belongings, valuables etc, so that they can be accounted for and properly distributed.

Who deals with settling the Estate? 

If your loved one had a will, it should specify who is to serve as the executor or personal representative. The person named is responsible for making sure creditors are paid, assets are distributed and estate tax returns are filed. This is usually the person who will investigate what benefits or insurance proceeds, if any, are owed to the heirs.

If your loved one died without a will (intestate), the law typically indicates who’s in charge: usually a surviving spouse, if there is one or an adult child or parent. A court hearing will be held to appoint someone, and there could be a disagreement if more than one person wants the role.

If your loved one had financial advisors, such as accountants, solicitors, real estate agents, insurance agents, you should contact them and ask if any matters need to be taken care of immediately.