📋 Key Information Summary
- Care continues after death — after-death duties encompass legal certification, dignified body care, cultural sensitivity, family support, and safe return of drugs and equipment.
- Verification of death must be performed by a medical practitioner or authorised nurse before any post-mortem care commences; confirm absence of cardiac output, respiration, and reflexes.
- Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) must be completed by the treating doctor within 48 hours in most Australian jurisdictions; the cause of death must be accurate and attributable to a recognised medical condition.
- Coronial referral is mandatory when death is unexpected, violent, accidental, of unknown cause, related to anaesthesia, in custody/detention, or within 24 hours of hospital admission in some states.
- Body care ("last offices") includes positioning, eye and mouth closure, removal or retention of lines and devices per clinical context, personal hygiene, and dignified presentation for the family.
- Tissue and organ donation — consider potential donors and contact the DonateLife team early; even after a palliative death, tissue donation (corneas, heart valves, skin) may be possible.
- Cultural and spiritual practices vary widely — accommodate Aboriginal Sorry Business, Islamic burial within 24 hours, Jewish shemira, Hindu rituals, and other faith-based observances wherever possible.
- Controlled drugs (Schedule 8) — unused opioids and benzodiazepines must be destroyed in the presence of a witness (two authorised persons) and documented; never discard into general waste or wastewater without witness destruction.
- Community equipment (syringe drivers, oxygen concentrators, nebulisers) must be collected, decontaminated, and returned to the supplier or hospital within specified timeframes.
- Clear documentation is essential — record time of death, verification findings, MCCD details, drug destruction witnesses, equipment returns, donation discussions, and family communication.
- Family communication and bereavement support should be offered promptly; provide written information, referrals to grief counselling, and follow-up contact within 4 weeks.
- ATSI communities — Sorry Business requires culturally safe flexibility; involve Aboriginal Health Workers/Practitioners, allow extended family gathering, and respect avoidance of the deceased's name and image.
Introduction & Australian Context
After-death duties encompass the clinical, legal, cultural, and administrative responsibilities that arise immediately following a patient's death. These duties are a core component of end-of-life care and reflect the standard of professionalism expected of all Australian health practitioners. While often performed in the setting of an expected death in palliative care, the same principles apply across hospital, residential aged-care, and community environments.
In Australia, approximately 171,000 deaths are registered each year (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2023). A significant proportion occur in hospitals (~55%), with around 30% in residential aged care and a smaller but growing number at home under palliative care. The National Palliative Care Standards (4th edition, 2018) and the National Consensus Statement: Essential Elements for Safe and High-Quality End-of-Life Care (ACSQHC, 2015) set the framework for safe, person-centred care that extends through death and into bereavement support.
Legislation governing death certification, coronial referral, body management, and controlled substance destruction varies by state and territory. Practitioners must be familiar with the relevant jurisdictional requirements. This topic provides a practical, step-by-step guide to after-death duties applicable across Australian settings.
Jurisdictional variation: Requirements for death certification, coronial notification, and controlled drug destruction differ between states and territories. Always consult local hospital policy and relevant state legislation (e.g., Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act; Coroners Act). This article provides a general Australian framework.
Verification & Certification of Death
There are two distinct processes after death: verification (confirming that death has occurred) and certification (legally documenting the cause of death). Understanding the difference is essential to meeting professional and legal obligations.
Verification of Death
Verification is the clinical confirmation that a person is dead. It must be performed before any post-mortem care (last offices) is commenced.
| Step | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Unresponsiveness | Assess for any response to verbal and painful stimuli | Exclude sedation, deep coma, severe hypothermia |
| 2. Absence of breathing | Observe chest for ≥5 minutes with stethoscope over trachea | Look, listen, feel for any respiratory effort |
| 3. Absence of cardiac output | Auscultate for heart sounds ≥5 minutes; palpate carotid/femoral pulses | ECG monitor if available — confirm asystole (no leads required if flatline confirmed over 5 min) |
| 4. Pupillary response | Check pupils — usually fixed and dilated | Not reliable in isolation; do not use as sole criterion |
| 5. Document | Record date, time, verification findings, and identity of verifying clinician | In some jurisdictions, registered nurses in aged care may verify expected deaths under a medical delegate protocol |
Do not rush verification. Observe for a minimum of 5 minutes for absent breathing and absent cardiac activity. In cases where death is not clearly expected, extend observation and consider requesting a second medical opinion. Premature declaration of death is a reportable medical error.
Who May Verify?
- Medical practitioners (doctors) — the standard in all jurisdictions.
- Registered nurses — may verify expected deaths in some jurisdictions and settings (e.g., residential aged care in Queensland, NSW, Victoria) under specific organisational policy and delegation frameworks.
- Paramedics — may verify under specific state ambulance service protocols.
Certification of Death — Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD)
The MCCD (also known as the Death Certificate in clinical parlance — distinct from the official Births, Deaths and Marriages certificate) is a legal document completed by the medical practitioner who was responsible for the patient's care. Key requirements:
1
Timing
Must be completed within 48 hours of death in most jurisdictions (e.g., NSW, Vic, Qld). In SA the requirement is within 48 hours; in WA within 72 hours. Check local legislation.
2
Cause of death — Part I
Immediate cause (1a), then underlying causes (1b, 1c, 1d) in a logical causal sequence leading back to the disease or condition initiating the chain of events.
3
Contributing conditions — Part II
Other significant conditions that contributed to death but were not part of the causal sequence in Part I (e.g., diabetes, COPD, chronic kidney disease).
4
Accuracy & honesty
Do not list vague terms (e.g., "cardiac arrest", "old age" without qualification). If the cause is uncertain or potentially coronial, do NOT certify — refer to the coroner.
When to Refer to the Coroner
Coronial referral is mandatory when any of the following apply:
- Death was unexpected or the cause is unknown.
- Death resulted from violence, accident, or self-harm.
- Death occurred during or immediately after anaesthesia or a procedure.
- Death occurred in custody or state detention (police, prison, immigration).
- Death occurred within 24 hours of hospital admission (some jurisdictions).
- Death may be due to a notifiable occupational disease.
- Death is of a child or infant in unexpected circumstances (SUDI/SIDS).
- Identity of the deceased is unknown.
- Death may be related to a medical device, drug reaction, or healthcare-associated complication.
Planned post-mortem and organ/tissue donation: If a coronial post-mortem is likely, do not remove lines, drains, or devices unless clinically necessary for infection control — the coroner's pathologist may need to examine them. Coordinate with DonateLife before any intervention.
Registration of Death
Registration of the death with the relevant state or territory Births, Deaths and Marriages office is usually performed by the funeral director, not the medical practitioner. The medical practitioner's role is limited to completing the MCCD accurately and providing it to the family or funeral director.
Care of the Body (Last Offices)
"Last offices" refers to the nursing and medical care of the body after death. The goal is to maintain dignity, facilitate viewing by family, prevent infection, and prepare the body for the funeral director. Last offices should be performed sensitively, unhurriedly, and ideally with prior knowledge of the deceased's cultural and religious preferences.
Immediate Post-Mortem Care
1
Position the body
Supine with arms at the sides or resting on the abdomen. Place a pillow under the head. Close the mouth by supporting the jaw with a pillow or rolled towel under the chin — rigor mortis will eventually fix the position.
2
Close the eyes
Gently close the eyelids. Apply gentle pressure for 15–30 seconds or use moistened cotton wool pads to keep them closed. Eye caps may be used by funeral directors if needed.
3
Remove or retain devices
Remove peripheral IV cannulae, urinary catheters, nasogastric tubes, and subcutaneous butterfly needles unless coronial referral applies. Central lines (PICC, Hickman, CVC) — remove only if not coronial; apply pressure and dress the site. Syringe drivers — disconnect and retain for drug return.
4
Personal hygiene
Gently wash the body. Clean any soiling. Apply fresh dressings to wounds if needed for viewing. Do not perform invasive procedures (e.g., do not embalm).
5
Dress and personalise
Dress in a hospital gown or the family's preferred clothing. Place personal items (jewellery, religious tokens, photographs) with the body as requested. Document all items.
6
Identification and shroud
Apply an identification band to the wrist or ankle (if not already present). Place the body in a shroud or clean sheets. Affix identification label to the shroud and the bed/door.
Post-Mortem Changes to Anticipate
| Change | Timing | Clinical Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Pallor mortis | 15–30 minutes | Blanching of skin; blood pools dependently |
| Livor mortis | 1–2 hours (fixed by 6–12 h) | Dependent purple-red discolouration; helps coroner estimate time and position of death |
| Algor mortis | Variable (~0.8°C/hour) | Body cools toward ambient temperature; affected by ambient temp, body habitus, clothing |
| Rigor mortis | 2–6 hours (resolves 24–48 h) | Muscle stiffness; begins in jaw/eyelids, progresses caudally; may complicate positioning for viewing |
Refrigeration and Timing
In most Australian facilities, bodies should be transferred to the mortuary or refrigerated holding area within 4–6 hours of death if the funeral director has not collected the body. This timeframe may be extended in air-conditioned environments or if family viewing is planned. Prolonged delays without refrigeration are an infection risk and breach of dignity.
Viewing by family: Encourage family to spend time with the deceased if they wish. Viewing can occur before or after last offices — ask the family's preference. In community palliative care, the body may remain at home for several hours or longer, which is lawful and appropriate if culturally desired and no coronial issues exist.
Organ and Tissue Donation
Even in the palliative care context, tissue donation may be possible after death. The Australian Organ Donor Register and family consent are the key determinants.
- Tissues (corneas, heart valves, skin, bone, tendons) can be donated up to 24 hours after death in many cases, regardless of the cause of death (with some exclusions).
- Organ donation (heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas) requires death in an ICU setting with ventilation — typically not applicable to expected palliative deaths at home or in hospice.
- Contact DonateLife (1800 633 325) as soon as death is anticipated or confirmed to discuss eligibility. The DonateLife coordinator will manage the conversation with the family.
- Do not delay last offices indefinitely for donation unless instructed by DonateLife.
Cultural & Spiritual Practices at Death
Australia's multicultural society means that after-death practices vary enormously. Providing culturally safe care at the time of death is a fundamental professional obligation under the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards and the Code of Conduct for medical practitioners (Medical Board of Australia). The overarching principle is to ask, listen, and accommodate.
Best practice: Ask about cultural, religious, and spiritual preferences before death occurs (during advance care planning) and document these in the patient's medical record and advance care plan. This removes guesswork in the immediate aftermath of death.
Key Cultural and Religious Considerations
| Tradition | Key After-Death Practices | Practical Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander | Sorry Business — communal mourning, smoking ceremony, avoidance of name/image of the deceased, potential reluctance to handle the body, extended family gathering | Involve Aboriginal Health Workers early; allow large family groups; provide private space; do not display photos or use the deceased's name without cultural guidance. See ATSI section below. |
| Islam | Burial ideally within 24 hours; body washed by same-gender family members; face oriented toward Mecca (qibla); no autopsy without necessity | Expedite certification and release of the body; accommodate washing rituals; allow religious items (kafan shroud). Discuss coronial requirements sensitively if applicable. |
| Judaism | Shemira (guarding/watching the body) — a person stays with the deceased at all times; burial as soon as possible; tahara (ritual washing by chevra kadisha) | Facilitate shemira — provide a private room; allow community members to attend. Expedite paperwork. Kosher considerations for food of attending family. |
| Hinduism | Cremation preferred; rituals by eldest son or family; body kept until rituals completed (often <24 hours); holy items placed with the body | Facilitate early release; accommodate placement of tulsi leaves, Ganges water, or sacred thread with the body; provide viewing space. |
| Buddhism | Body not touched for several hours after death (consciousness departing); chanting by monks or family; cremation preferred | Allow a period of non-disturbance after death (ideally 4–8 hours if feasible); accommodate monks or family chanting; avoid moving the body prematurely. |
| Christianity (general) | Prayer, last rites/sacrament of the sick (Catholic), viewing, funeral arrangements variable by denomination | Offer pastoral care/chaplaincy; facilitate last rites if requested and the priest is available; allow viewing time. |
| Secular / Non-religious | Highly variable; may include specific wishes about body handling, memorial arrangements, or donation | Refer to the advance care plan and family wishes. Respect no-religion preferences equally. |
Practical Accommodation Strategies
- Private rooms: Provide a private room for viewing and rituals where possible. In shared wards, use screens or arrange transfer to a bereavement room.
- Extended viewing: Allow families to remain with the body for as long as reasonable. In community settings, the body may remain at home for many hours.
- Religious objects: Accommodate placement of religious texts, beads, cloths, or sacred items with or on the body.
- Washing and dressing: Facilitate family-led washing and dressing where requested; provide appropriate facilities (warm water, basins, towels).
- Pastoral and spiritual care: Contact the hospital chaplain, the patient's own spiritual leader, or relevant community religious leader promptly.
- Organ/tissue donation discussions: Frame sensitively within the cultural context; some traditions may have strong feelings (positive or negative) about donation.
Drug & Equipment Return
Safe management of unused medications and medical equipment after death is a legal and safety obligation. Controlled drugs (Schedule 8) require particularly rigorous documentation. Community-based equipment must be recovered and decontaminated promptly.
Controlled Drug Destruction (Schedule 8)
Unused Schedule 8 (S8) medications — opioids, benzodiazepines, and other controlled substances — must be destroyed in accordance with state and territory medicines and poisons legislation. The general principle across all Australian jurisdictions is witnessed destruction by two authorised persons.
1
Collect all unused S8 drugs
Retrieve from bedside locker, syringe driver (remaining contents), fridge, drug safe, and community supply bags. Include partially used ampoules and patches (e.g., fentanyl patches).
2
Two-person witnessed destruction
Destroy (render irretrievable) in the presence of a second authorised witness. Methods: discharge ampoule contents into an approved destruction receptacle (e.g., Cactus Smart Sink®, Drug Buster®) or mix with an absorbent material (coffee grounds, kitty litter) and render unusable.
3
Document the destruction
Record: drug name, strength, form, quantity destroyed, date/time, signatures of both witnesses, patient name. Use the facility's controlled drug register or a standardised destruction form.
4
Community settings
In the home, a community nurse and a second authorised person (e.g., another nurse, pharmacist, or doctor) should witness destruction on-site. If the family has unused S8 drugs, they should be returned to a pharmacy for destruction via the Return Unwanted Medicines (RUM) Project — advise the family accordingly.
Never flush S8 drugs down the toilet or discard into general waste without witnessed destruction. Uncontrolled disposal of opioids poses diversion, environmental, and legal risks. Non-compliance is reportable to the relevant state health practitioner regulatory authority and medicines scheduling body.
Non-Scheduled and S4 Medications
- Unused S4 (Prescription Only) and S3 (Pharmacist Only) medications should be collected and returned to a community pharmacy via the RUM Project (Return Unwanted Medicines — returnmed.com.au).
- In hospital, non-controlled medications can be disposed of per facility waste policy (pharmaceutical waste stream).
- Advise families not to keep unused medications at home.
Common Palliative Care Drugs Requiring Return
Morphine Sulfate
Ordine® · Sevredol® · MS Contin® · Opioid analgesic
Schedule
Schedule 8 — Controlled Drug
Return method
Witnessed destruction (2 authorised persons) or return to pharmacy via RUM
Forms to collect
Oral liquid, immediate-release tablets, modified-release tablets, SC ampoules, syringe driver residual
PBS status
✔ PBS Authority Required
Midazolam
Hypnovel® · Benzodiazepine (sedative/anticonvulsant)
Schedule
Schedule 8 — Controlled Drug
Return method
Witnessed destruction (2 authorised persons) or return to pharmacy via RUM
Forms to collect
SC ampoules, oral liquid (Dormicum®), IV ampoules, buccal liquid (Buccolam®)
PBS status
✔ PBS General Benefit
Fentanyl
Durogesic® · Actiq® · Sublimaze® · Opioid analgesic
Schedule
Schedule 8 — Controlled Drug
Return method
Witnessed destruction (2 authorised persons); patches must be folded adhesive-side-in before disposal
Forms to collect
Transdermal patches (used and unused), lozenges, IV/SC ampoules, intranasal spray
PBS status
⚠ PBS Authority Required (Restricted)
Oxycodone
Endone® · OxyNorm® · OxyContin® · Opioid analgesic
Schedule
Schedule 8 — Controlled Drug
Return method
Witnessed destruction (2 authorised persons) or return to pharmacy via RUM
Forms to collect
Immediate-release tablets, modified-release tablets, oral liquid, IV/SC ampoules
PBS status
✔ PBS Authority Required
Medical Equipment Return — Community Settings
In community and home-based palliative care, various items of equipment may have been loaned to the patient. These must be collected, decontaminated, and returned to the supplier.
| Equipment | Source | Return Action | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Syringe driver (e.g., McKinley T34™, CADD-Solis™) | Hospital pharmacy or palliative care service | Return to originating pharmacy/service for decontamination and recalibration | Within 24–48 hours |
| Oxygen concentrator | Equipment supplier (e.g., BOC, Air Liquide, regional supplier) | Contact supplier for collection; do not leave unattended on nature strip | Within 48–72 hours |
| Portable oxygen cylinders | Equipment supplier | Return to supplier; store upright, away from heat | Within 48–72 hours |
| Nebuliser | Hospital or supplier | Clean and return; discard used masks/tubing as clinical waste | Within 1 week |
| Hospital bed / pressure-relief mattress | Equipment supplier (e.g., Independent Living Centre, Hire company) | Contact supplier for collection; advise family not to dispose | 1–2 weeks (arrange promptly) |
| Mobility aids (wheelchair, walker, commode) | Hospital, Red Cross, loan pool | Return to supplier or advise family to donate to charity | As soon as practical |
| Sharps container | Community pharmacy (provided free under NPSA schemes) | Seal and return to pharmacy or arrange council collection for clinical waste | Within 1 week |
Family guidance: Provide the family with a written checklist of equipment to be collected and the contact numbers for each supplier. Many families are overwhelmed after death — proactive communication from the palliative care team reduces stress and prevents equipment loss.
Communication, Family Support & Bereavement
Effective communication at the time of death and in the days that follow is a core clinical skill. The quality of this interaction has lasting effects on family wellbeing and is increasingly recognised as a medico-legal safeguard.
Immediate Communication with the Family
- Deliver the news of death in a private, quiet environment. Use clear, empathetic language — avoid euphemisms unless the family prefers them.
- Express condolences sincerely. Acknowledge the patient as a person, not just a clinical case.
- Allow silence and emotional expression. Do not rush the conversation.
- Provide a brief explanation of the circumstances of death (as known). If an autopsy or coronial referral is required, explain why and what will happen next.
- Offer the family the option to see and spend time with the deceased.
- Provide written information on next steps: funeral director contacts, registration of death, MCCD process, organ donation outcomes (if discussed), bereavement support services.
Follow-Up Contact
National Palliative Care Standards recommend that bereavement support extends beyond the death. Best practice includes:
- Within 1–2 weeks: Phone call or letter from the treating team acknowledging the death and offering support.
- At 4–6 weeks: Follow-up contact (phone or letter) to check on the family's wellbeing and provide bereavement resources if needed.
- At-risk bereavement: Identify families at higher risk of complicated grief (e.g., sudden death, loss of a child, pre-existing mental health conditions, limited social support, ATSI communities). Refer proactively to specialist bereavement services, psychology, or social work.
- GP notification: Ensure the patient's general practitioner is informed of the death in a timely manner. The GP plays a central role in ongoing bereavement support for the family.
Bereavement support resources (Australia): Grief Australia (grief.org.au), Lifeline (13 11 14), Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636), Palliative Care Australia bereavement resources, state-based palliative care bereavement services, and the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement (acgb.com.au).
Special Populations
Paediatric Deaths
Death of a child is one of the most profound losses — after-death care must be exceptionally sensitive and unhurried.
Memory-making: Offer hand/footprints, locks of hair, photographs, hand/foot moulds, and preservation of personal items. Many hospitals have dedicated bereavement boxes (e.g., "Precious Wings", "Heartfelt" photography services).
Coronial referral: Any unexpected child death must be reported to the coroner. SUDI/SIDS protocols apply.
Sibling support: Include siblings in age-appropriate ways; provide family-centred bereavement care.
Paediatric palliative care teams: Engage specialist teams for bereavement follow-up.
Elderly / Residential Aged Care
Expected deaths in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) are common — over 50% of Australian deaths in the elderly occur in RACFs.
Nurse verification: In some jurisdictions, RNs in RACFs can verify expected deaths under medical delegation (check local policy).
Facility protocols: Many RACFs have established after-death pathways including staff checklists, family notification scripts, and funeral director collection arrangements.
Co-morbidities: Multiple co-morbidities may complicate the MCCD — ensure the causal chain is logical and accurate.
Dementia: Consider that families may experience anticipatory grief before death; bereavement support may need to start before the death occurs.
Infectious Deaths
If the deceased had a notifiable infectious disease (e.g., COVID-19, TB, hepatitis B/C, HIV, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease), additional precautions apply.
PPE: Staff performing last offices should use appropriate PPE per infection control guidelines (standard + transmission-based precautions as indicated).
Body handling: For COVID-19 and most respiratory pathogens, standard body handling is safe — the virus does not pose a significant post-mortem transmission risk with standard precautions. For prion diseases (CJD), specific containment protocols apply.
Embalming restrictions: Certain infections may contraindicate or modify embalming — advise the funeral director accordingly.
Notifiable diseases: Ensure the relevant public health unit has been notified (this should have occurred during the illness).
Dialysis Patients
Patients who die while receiving dialysis may have arteriovenous fistulas (AVF), arteriovenous grafts (AVG), or tunnelled dialysis catheters (e.g., Tesio, Hickman).
Access sites: AVF/AVG — no specific post-mortem management needed; they will be managed by the funeral director. Tunnelled catheters — remove only if not coronial; if coronial, leave in situ.
Dialysis unit notification: Inform the renal/dialysis unit so that the patient can be removed from the dialysis schedule and equipment returned.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Sorry Business — Cultural Safety in After-Death Care
Sorry Business is the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander term for mourning, funeral, and bereavement practices. It is deeply significant, often involving the entire community, and carries specific cultural protocols that health services must respect and accommodate. Failure to provide culturally safe after-death care compounds historical trauma and contributes to distrust of health systems.
Critical cultural protocols: In many Aboriginal communities, it is culturally inappropriate to speak the name of the deceased person, display their photograph, or play recordings of their voice after death. Staff must ask the family about these preferences and ensure compliance across the health service. Ignoring these protocols causes significant distress.
📚 References
- 1. Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC). National Consensus Statement: Essential Elements for Safe and High-Quality End-of-Life Care. Sydney: ACSQHC; 2015.
- 2. Palliative Care Australia. National Palliative Care Standards. 5th ed. Canberra: Palliative Care Australia; 2018.
- 3. Australian Bureau of Statistics. Causes of Death, Australia, 2022. ABS Cat. No. 3303.0. Canberra: ABS; 2023.
- 4. Medical Board of Australia. Good Medical Practice: A Code of Conduct for Doctors in Australia. Melbourne: Medical Board of Australia; 2020 (updated 2024).
- 5. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Palliative Care Services in Australia. Cat. No. HWL 74. Canberra: AIHW; 2023.
- 6. Return Unwanted Medicines (RUM) Project. Return of Unwanted Medicines — Information for Health Professionals. Melbourne: National Return and Disposal of Unwanted Medicines Ltd; 2024. Available at: returnmed.com.au.
- 7. DonateLife Australia. Organ and Tissue Donation for Transplantation — National Guidelines. Canberra: Organ and Tissue Authority; 2023. Available at: donatelife.gov.au.
- 8. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). After-Hours Medical Care — Death Certification and Verification. Melbourne: RACGP; 2022.
- 9. Douglas L, Rosenwax L, Bremner A. Caring for the dead: a review of after-death care in residential aged care in Australia. Australas J Ageing. 2020;39(2):e163–e170.
- 10. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation. Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in Grief and Loss. Canberra: Healing Foundation; 2019.
- 11. National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. Canberra: NHMRC; 2023 (updated).
- 12. Cancer Council Australia. When Someone Close to You Has Cancer — After Death: Practical and Emotional Guidance. Sydney: Cancer Council Australia; 2023. Available at: cancer.org.au.
- 13. Victorian Government Department of Health. Verification and Certification of Death — Clinical Guideline. Melbourne: Department of Health Victoria; 2021.