You may find it beneficial to create a plan for who and how the news will be communicated to both close family and friends and the wider circle of friends and relatives.

Many people find it helpful to write the information down and rehearse what they’re going to say.

Many people now use social media as a way of communicating the death of a loved one with close family and friends but also as a digital death notice to the wider public.

We recommend you nominate a single person to carry out the task of sharing the death on social media to avoid any well-intentioned but misguided announcements. Clearly communicate this when you start to tell friends and family so nobody accidentally shares the news before the immediate family is ready.

In the early days following a death, it’s important to notify immediate family and close friends.

You may wish to divide this job up as re-telling the news of a death over and over can be overwhelming, time-consuming, and require you to manage other people’s grief (whilst you’re experiencing your own).

If the deceased was a resident of an aged care facility or receiving in-home care but wasn’t there at the time of their death, it’s important to notify the relevant people their services are no longer required.

They will commence their administrative processes and advise you of the next steps.

Once immediate family, friends, and employers have been notified you can communicate the news more broadly. You may choose to do this individually, through funeral invitations, social media or announcements.

If the deceased was receiving Centrelink payments it’s important to contact Centrelink to advise of their death as soon as possible. The estate will be required to repay any payments made after the date of death so the sooner you can cancel payments the better.

You do not have to notify other businesses or service providers of the death immediately. Many organisations require a death certificate to close accounts or services which can take several weeks following the funeral of the deceased.